The Princeton union., 1880-10-07

his held npon his pillow he Had q new
emotion, and 1t was strange one to
him-yet1t 1t was sweet and blessed
one, he had done 9 deed of charity.
and the blessing Of that poor but noble
girl yet rung in his ears and dropped up.
on his scul and he imagined he could
hear the prayers Of Mark Allen ascend
ing to heaven in his behalf. He knew
Mark Allen for an honest, industrious,
steady, Woodworking man, and he felt
sure that Mark would pray for him.
Surely the thought was blessed one.
But stop Who gave that saving gift?
Who was it that did that deed Of charity?
"By the saints,'' mumered the old
man, starting halt up in bed,s'I did It'll!
Kate shan't pay me one cent! She shan't,
bless me if she shall!'' I5l.
And Absalom lay back upon hispillow,
snd in the night he dreamed that Martha
Allen wss an angel, and that she came to
bless him. It was sweet, cheering
dream. .5sa5t s.z 5*
AZ. Two days afterwards Kate proposed
that they should go and visit Mark Allen.
For, . said she, "our presence may
cheer him. And the old man finally
consented to 60. VI
They reached the humble cot, and were
welcomed in by Martha. They found
old Mark sitting in great, stuffed chair
which 9 neighbor had sent in, and
though he looked pale and wan, yet
warm smile sufused his face as he saw
the visitors.
"Mr. Burr he said, while big tears
stood in his eyes, II can never pay you
for the noble kindness you have shown
me. may at some time pay the mon
ey, but I cannot pay you all for the bare
money is as nothing compared with the
knowledge that have such q generous
friend to stretch out his saving hand in
the hour Of gloom and m1sery.n
"Talk not of money to me-" returned
uncle Absalom, earnestly and warmly.
"If it served you, am already more
than repaid. The blessings of man are
chcaply purchased when so slight sum
can do it; and, moreover, have been
more than repaid in the very knowledge
that have been of service to suffering
fellow =E 2zAi - ".2
s9 Even Kate was surprised oy this; but
she knew that it was real, and she was
glad. .s -'N .c sn ~
When they rose to depart, at the end
Of nearly an hour, Martha followed them
to the door, and here she blessed the old
man again. He was moved by gener-
ous impulse, and took golden half-eagle
from his pocket and handed it to her.
''No, no." she said, drawing her hand
back. "What you have already given Us
will suffice until my father gets out. But
there is one who would be blessed with
the gift, and if you Will permit me I viii
relinquish the gift in her behalf. The
poor widow Wildredge is very low, and
her daughter is sick. I carried them ov-
e1 some food this morning, and found
them quite destitute ...rlnz. ss4
But uncle Absalom was stubborn
man, and he would have his own way.
Take this,'' he said, I may find another
for Mrs. Wldredge. Your father will
not be able to work for some time yet;
so take it. If you will, I will call on the
widow-but if you refuse me, I won't
move q step only towards home." %
Martha took the money with fearful
eyes, and Mr. Burr heard more blessings
as he turned away. Widow Wndredge'e
dwelling was not tar off, and thither the
uncle and niece turned their steps. They
found the mother, q woman of some fifty
yeals, sitting by the bedside of her sick
daughter. She arose as the visitors came
in, and her countenance plainly showed
that she wondered why Absalom Bur,
had called. But she saw an angel in
Kate's mild blue eyes
AbsAlom and the widow were play.
mates once, and the ice was soon broken
Gradually the uncle and niece drew forth
the story Of the womans suferngs, anG
then the old man took out his pocket
book, and took therefrom fifteen dol
lars. i .z .a.s-!, a..
.tHere,' he said, as he handed it tt
the widow, This may serve to lighter
your burden some. am able, while you
are needy. Take it. and remember tha1
you may look to me again when neeG
comes upon you.' @ l :@
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 hif
supper that night that shade upon hie
face was as soft as the radiance of thu
setting sun. And now he could return
Kate's smile. And on that night, too
his dreams were more pleasant thar
ever. ..' .,..
Some time during the next day Kate
came up from the cellar, and asked he.
uncle what that dark vault was for.
"How did you find it7'' he cried, il
! quick alarm. .... ..--. .'.- r..
tsThe door was partly open.'' ...
~ did forget to lock it. I remember
now" ....'
"But what is it, uncle2'' ...,..-... ...
The old man finally confessed to Kate
that he had over twenty thousand dollar
slowed away there. i.
"Why, uncle! Is it pessibleg AND
you let it lie there in the dark. withou
usep' a.... ..5..4 ... -s
ssBut if the assessors knew it, they't