Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-03
book, and took therefrom fifteen dol


lars.
Here" he said, as he handed it to
the widow, This may serve to Tighten |
your burden some. l ana able, while you |
are needy. Take 1t, and remember that |
you may look to me again when need
comes upon you"
Mechanically the woman took the
money, and having first gazed upon the
charmed notes, and then upon the donor,
she bowed her head and thanked God
for the blessing. And then, while the
warm tears gushed forth, she caught the
old man by the hand, and poured forth
her thanks.
When Absalom Burr sat down to his
face was as soft as the radiance of the
setting sun. And now he could return
Rates smile. And on that night, too,
his dreams were more pleasant than
ever.
Some tune during the next day Kate
came up from the cellar, and asked her
uncle what that dark vault was for.
"How did you find it?'' he cried, in
quick alarm.
'The door was partly OPEN"
81 did forget to lock it. remember
now"
"But what is it, uncle2"
The old man finally confessed to Kate
that he had over twenty thousand dollars
slowed away there.
"Why, uncle! Is it possible? And
you let it lie there in the dark. without
user'
"But if the assessors knew it, they'd
make me pay taxes on it,
/! Kate was about to give utterance to a
very indignant response, but she held it
back, and went and sat down by the old
mans size.
"Now look here, uncle Absalom: How
much would you be taxed for that
money!"
"Over hundred dollars year. Just
think of it,
eyes, and just think of this: Here the
railroad company have just advertised
for a loan o. twenty-five thousand, at five
per cent. You can make up the five
thousand and let them have it. Have
you not five thousand more lying idly
somewhere?''
"Perhaps so,' said the old man,
thSughtfully.
Then look at it. Thus you would
not only be helping the community, and
assisting great public good, but you
would at the same time be realizing
twelve hundred and fifty dollars year,
where you do not now geta cent. And
again: When the company have done
with the money, you can build houses
here in this town, every one of which
will let as soon as finished, and at fair
rents. Think how you will thus be ben
citing the community, and at the same
tune rendering yourself more able to be-
stow in charity such sums as your own
good judgment shall dictate. Aud then,
think again." resumed Kate, as she no
ticed the doubtful look upon her uncle's
.. face, Show much easier you would feel
to know that your money was safe, than
to be worrying ali TIE while for FEST
some one will come in the night and
rob you"
This last hit touched the vulnerable
Joint. and Absalom said he would think
of it. And he did think of it to some
purpose, tor on the very next morning
he started off for P, and having
found the proper officers, he told them
, that he could accommodate them with
the desired loan. They were much
pleased, and in short time they had the
money in gold and current bills, and Alb
,, salon had the notes and good security
He went home with better opinion Of
his fellow men and of himself than he
, ever had before, for he had been thanked
, by noble gentleman for his kindness, and
/, his opinion had been asked on various
: important matters, and he had partly
promised, too, that if the new road want
. ed more help he would give it.
Six months passed away, from this
:, period, and the troublesome niece still
lived with her uncle. They also still
inhabited the same little house into
which Kate had first come. On the
morning of the day which saw the sixth
month from the time of giving the ter
}. dollars to Martha Allen pass away, Kate
came into the room where her uncle sat.
and in her hand she held a ten Jollal
note.
e "Uncle Absaiom, she said, "you re,
member what 1 told you when you gave
T the ten dollars to Martha Allen. The siz
months are up, and have come to re
. deem my promise. Here is the money!
"Thank you" said the old man, as he
took the bill and put it in his pocket. 81
S am glad you are so punctual."
i That was all he said, and then he took
1 his hat and went out. Kate was puzzled
but not astonished, for she noticed {
Q twinkle IN the old mans eye which meant
g more than ten dollars amounted to.
6 It was near the middle of the afternoon
when uncle Absalom returned, and under
his arm he carried small box which he
1 gave to Kate, saying as he did so:
:. Here, Kate, this is for you--the first
g present from your uncle
g There was tear in his eye and his
l voice trcmbled; and when the bright
eyed girl kissed MIN he wept outright,
e She hurried away 10 her little room
: opened the box. The first thing she
saw was a letter directed to herself and
t IN her uncle's handwriting. The next
was neatly embossed ebony casket, in