Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-29

manity, urged by the voice that seemed TO
be coming nearer.
Love of gain, after slight opposition was
satisfied. But the low, penetrating voice
asked for something better STILL
"Weakness folly" exclaimed Mr.. Ed
gar. I'D better make him present Of the
money at once"
1t availed nothing. The voice could not
be hushed.
"One per cent He couldn't get it done as
low as that in the city,
He is poor young man, and has wife
and four little children" said the voice
Even the abstraction of legal interest from
his hard earnings is defect enough; to lose
twice that sum will make heavy draught
on his profits, which, under the present COM
petition In trade, are not large. He is hon
est aud industrious, and, by his useful labor,
is aiding the social well-being. Is It right
for you TO get his reward 2-to take his
profits, and add them TO your already rich
accumulations Z" t
Mr.. Edgar did not like these home ques-
tions, and tried to stop his ears, so that the
voice could not find an entrance. But he
tried in vain.
"Bank rates on this note" continued the
inward voice, would not much exceed nine
dollars. Even this is a large sum for poor
and the loss becomes an injury to his busi-
ness, or the cause of seriously abridging the
home comforts. Aud how much will nine
dollars contribute to your happiness ? Not
as much as = jot or a little. You are unable,
now, to spend your income"
The young mechanic entered at this ia
vorable moment. The money lender pointed
to chair; then turned to his desk, and filled
up, burridly, a check. BLACKWELL glanced
at the amount thereof, as it was handed to
him, and an instant flush of surprise came
into his face.
"Haven't you made a mistake, Mr. Ed
gar ?" said he.
In what respect ~
"The note was for three hundred dollars,
six months, and you have given me a check
for two hundred and ninety dollars, forty
three cents"
Give charged you bank interest,"" said
MIR. Edgar, with feeling of pleasure at his
heart so new that it sent glow along every
nerve and fiber of his being
"Bank interest did not expect this"
replied the young man, visibly moved.
For less than one and half per cent
month | have not been able to obtain
money One per cent would have paid
you cheerfully. Eighteen dollars saved
How much good that will do me I could
not have saved it-or, might say, have re-
ceived it-more opportunely. This is
kindness for which |, shall ever remember
you gratefully
Grasping the money lenders hand he
shook it warmly then turned and hurried
away.
Only one previous transaction had that
day been made by Mr.. Edgar. In that
transaction his gain was fifty dollars, and
much pleasure had it given him. But the
delight experienced was not to be compared
with what he now felt. 1t was to him a
new experience in life-a realization of
that beautiful truth, {" 1t is more blessed to
| give than to receive"
Once or twice, during the day. as Mr.. Ed
gar dwet on the little circumstances, his
natural love of gain caused regret for the
loss Of money involved in the transaction to
enter his mind. How cold, moody and un.
comfortable he instantly became Sef-love
was seeking to rob the money-lender of the
just reward of good deed. But the voice
which had prompted the generous act was
heard clear and sweet, and again his heart
beat to gladder measure.
Evening was closing in on the day follow
ing. 1t was the last day in the year, and
winter had commenced in real earnest.
Snow had fallen for some hours. Now,
however, the sky was clear, but, the air
keen and frosty. The day to Mr.. Edgar
was one in which more than the usual MUM
Der of "good transactions had made. On
one perfectly safe note he had been able5
charge as high as three per cent per mon =
Full of pleasurable excitement had his minI
been, while thus gathering in gain, but
now, the excitement being over, he was op-
pressed. From whence the pressure came,
| hA III tyYAt A -. Ill. fall
upon his spirits with the closing day; and
there was not sunshine enough at home to
chase it from his sky
As Mr.. Edgar walked along with his eyes
upon the pavement, his name was called.
Looking up, he saw, standing at the open
door of small house, the mechanic he had
befrended the day before.
Step in here just one moment" said the
young man. The request was made in a
way that left Mr.. Edgar no alternative but
compliance So he entered the humble
dwelling. He found himself in small un-
lighted room, adjoining one in which lamp
was burning, and in which was a young
woman, plainly but neatly dressed, and four
children the youngest lying in cradle.
The woman held in her hand warm Bay
state shawl which, after examining a few
moments, with pleased expression of coun-
tenance, she threw over her shoulders, and
glanced at herself in a looking glass. The
Oldest of the children, boy, was trying on
a new overcoat aud his sister, two years
younger, had white muff and warm
woolen shawl, in which her attention was
completely absorbed. A smaller child had
a new cap and she was the most pleased of
any.
"Oh, isn't father good to buy US all these;
and we wanted them so much," said the old
est of the children. Yesterday morning,
when told him how cold | was going to
school, he said he was sorry, but that | must
try to do without coat this winter, for he
hadn't money enough to get us all we wanted.
How did he get more money, mother ?"
"To kind gentleman, who helped your
father, we are indebted for these needed
New Year surprises" replied the mother.
g" He must be good man, said the boy.
What's his name ?"
"His name is Mr.. Edgar
"I will ask God to bless him tonight
when | say my prayers" innocently spoke
out the youngest of the three children.
"What does all this mean ?" asked the
money lender, as he hastily retired from the
room he had entered.
"lf you had charged me one per cent on
my note, this scene would not have occur
red," said the mechanic. "With the sum
you generously saved me was able to buy
these comforts. My heart blesses you for
the deed, and if the good wishes of my
happy family can throw sunshine across
your path it will be full of brightness"
Too much affected 10 reply, Mr. Edgar re-
turned the warm pressure of the hand which
had grasped his and glided away
CLEAN of sunshine had indeed fallen
along the pathway of the money lender.
Home had brighter look as he passed his
own threshold. He felt kinder and more
cheerful, and kindness and cheerfulness
flowed back to him from all the inmates of
his dwelling, lie half-wondered at the
changed aspect worn by everything. His
dreams that night were not of losses, fires
and the wreck of dearly cherished hopes,
but of the humble home made glad by his
generous kindness again the happy mother,
the pleased children and the grateful father
were before him, and his own heart leaped
with new delight.
at was small act, very light sacrifice
on my part" said Mr. Edgar to himself, as
he walked, in a musing mood, towards his
Office on the next morning, "and yet how
much real happiness has it been the occa-