The Russellville Democrat., 1881-12-22

watch for me, Dot; I'll hurry as fast as ever l can, and you shall have the big dolly in your arms, the very minute l get back.
 JeaDie thought of Dot, as she ijngled the two silver dollars in her pocket: and springing from the stile, hurried across the meadow When she came close to the great elm that stood by the way side, she stopped short. Sitting beneath 1t was a man, with bandage across his eyes, and q little dog at his feet. The dog had forlorn look, and the master was clad in rags. Jeauie looked on in silence for some minutes; and then drew a little nearer.
 Good man, are you blind?" she asked.
 ''No, not entirely" answered the man. I've had a sunstroke, and the light hurts me"
 JeaDie's tender heart was moved She drew still nearer, and patted the little dog.
 "What makes you sit kere!" she asked, at fast. "Why don't you go homer"
 q am trying to get there, but walking makes my head hurt"
 How far away is your homer"
 "Nearlv hundred miles,"
 "Oh, ohl You surely don't mean to walk that far?" cried Jeanie
 T did; but I can't make much head way now"
 Why don't you go on the cars?"
 The man laughed scornfully; sad, half desperate sort of of laugh.
 Because l haven't got cent, little one"
 Poor man." said Jeanie, fare you hungry?"
 Not very; got bite on the road"
 "But you're tired and sick?"
 Yes"
 The elm leaves rustled overhead, and ful, entreating eyes.
 How much would it take to carry you home poor man?" she aeked suddenly.
 1.-Two dollars"
 Tee child recoiled as if from blow A hot color rushed into her cheeks, and her lips quivered. She put her hand in her pocket, and clutched the two silver dollars.
 I'm sorry for you," she said, hurried ly, but I must go, indeed 1 must go."
 She started of at rapid pace, her hand still clutching the money in her pocket Presently, she stopped, however, snd looked back; and, between her heavy respirations, she repeated the verse, 'Inasmuch as ye have done eitunto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done 1t unto Me"
 Five minutes went by. Jeanie looked towards the village, and then towards the man beneath the elm tree.
 "lt is just as if the great Lord himself was sitting there," she said at last, in an awed toi c. And then slowly turning, she retraced her steps. When she reached the tree, her childish lips were almost colorless, so terrible had been the struggle but in her oung eyes shone a steady and resolute resolve. She put her hand in her pocket, and drew forth the money.
 "Here, poor man, take these tive dol lars, and 90 home" she said.
 The man pushed up the bandage from his eyes and looked at her.
 "Whatw he cried, in surprise, putting aside her extended hand. No, no, can't take it."
 "You must It is my very own. I earned it picking berries. I was going to buy big dolly; but-but-" her voice choking, "Id rather give the money to you. We couldn't say our prayers to- night, Dot and l, if l left you sitting here"
 She forced the money into his hand.
 Whats your name" he asked. "Where do you liye?"
 'Jeanie Goodwin's my name--I live across yonCer, at Hazelwood cottage. Good-byew
 The last few words ended with a sob and Jeanie darted away, to hide the tears she could not keep back.
 Dot, we won't grieve, will wei" she whispered, that night, claspine her li.tle sister, as they nestled together in the same bed. "Only think, Dot, 'tis just the same as if the great Lord himself had been sitting there, under the elm tree, and we gave our money to him. We won't fret about the big dolly, Dot?"
 "No, of course" answered Dot ob- ligingly, and the rag dolly's just as good, after all"
 Years went by; years of patient and incessant toil to the widow and her children at Hazelwood cottage. But their combined efforts failed to keep want from their door, Dot was almost helpless, and the mother herself was frail, and at last fell ill The heavy burthen of care rested on Jeanie's shoulders.
 One winter afternoon found her very sad of hetrt Her mother wss in need of nourishment and medical attention, poor little Dot's pale face betrayed her