Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-10-02

occasions such as the present, when relief
| for certain purposes in connection with
their religion was asked for, the plate was
never handed TO them in vain Never,
however, in their recent experiences OF
poverty had their circumstances been SO
low as now. Lucy for the past month had
been unable to perform her usual quantity
| of work, So that the wage-fund upon which
the two women solely relied had diminished
To n corresponding extent until their sole
remaining coin was the sixpencc the dispo-
sal of which formed the subject of discus
sion ere they left hCme.
The vicar was we'll acquainted with
the resources of his congregation, and
knew they could not contribute much
to the cause he pleaded; but, as he re
remarked, they might at least give por
tion 10 Gods service and that the widow g
mite rendered willingly was dearer in His
sight than the gold grudglngly contributed
! by the wealthy. But even at this appeal,
when Mrs. Willis observed the hectic flush
| upon Lucy cheek, and noted how the cN-
crtion of even walking TO the church told
upon her, she felt half inclined to harden
her heart in favor of her young companion,
and to keep the last siXpence in her pocket
But Lucy read Mrs. Williss thought, and
Whispering in her ear the words "God will
provide,' the money was given up in n
trice, and the old lady's heart leaped for
ioy at the self sacrifice which had been ac-
complished.
'Now, MOTHER" said Lucy, when they
got within sight of their abode, 1--WE wont
sill up in the dark talking, so as to lose the
glow our walk has produced, but go straight
/ To bed, rs | must be up early"
Lounglr against the door-post, with his
hands in his pockets and surveying the
outer world as well as he could through
| clouds of tobacco smoke he was diffusing,
was the person Mrs. Willis and Lucy owned
as their landlord.
There's gen'elman been here asking
! for YOU, he observed to Mrs. Willis, with
tug at his pipe at almost every word,
land said how he wanted you partic'ler.
You see what you lose by going to church.
He left note, think for you upstairs
didn't speak to him myself, but my old
CONAN did, and if you want to see her
you'll find her at the Red Lion, in the jug
bar"
As neither Mrs, Willis nor Lucy had any
wish to seek their landlady in such a place,
they borrowed candle from lodger, who
was not quite so badly off as themselves. in
order to read the note said to have been left
in their room.
tSrm afraidit's from Mrs. Smith, MOTHER
said Lucy. elf so, it's blowing up, for
told her I'd make an effort to have her
dress done for her by last night, and, as
you know, did my best"
If the room in which they lived looked
uninviting in the daytime it appeared far
more dismal when viewed by the depress-
light Of tallow candle. But the residents
We're pretty well used to the aspect of the
place, and therefore devoted their attention
to the note directly. The fiickering flame
revealed it lying upon the table, Lucy held
hecandle and took the note; but no sooner
did her eyes rest uponit than she turned to
an ;ashy paleness, and leant against her
companion for support. t
-E'Mother, mother !" she gasped, .E4 can
not trust my eyes, Read, ;read-and
quieklyl"
Mrs. Willis seized the slip of paper, but
hereyes saw the same handwriting and the
same words as Lucy: %
."Don't go to bed until you've seen
ALFRED"