Iron County register., 1881-11-17


he is kept back by the thought of the
debt he will have upon his shoulders
when he gets up. But thus far / have
not run him in debt, though he thinks 1
have, and l dare not wholly undeceive
him, for fear that 1 must do so. We
have spent every cent he had laid up,
and have worked hard and sold many
of my things; but have nothing more
to sell, and all my time must be spent
with him. Oh, sir, for the love of mercy,
give me something. If we can ever pay
you, we will
.'But what would you have, girl?" the
old man asked, moving uneasily in his
chair.
ga dollar, or two dollars. You would
not miss it, while
Not miss it! and do you think am
made of money?'
At this moment Kate left the room,
| and IN moment more she opened the
door and called for her uncle to come
out.
"What is itP" he asked, as he came
into the back room, leaving the poor
girl alone. 6 Uncle Absalom, you must
not send that girl off empty-handed, "
she said, placing both hands upon his
shoulders. "Just think of her poor IA
| ther, and of how much she suffers for
him. You are able, and so long as you
give in charity to her so sure shall your
reward be.''
"And who's to reward me, child?"
=" Your own thoughts and feelings,
uncle.'
"But haven't the money to spare. y"
"Then give her ten dollars
\
you ruin me?"
"Here me out. Give her ten dollars; !;
if at the end of six months you want
it again, 1 will pledge myself to see it
paid.''
You see it paid! And where will you
get it?''
"I have more than that-money
which [ have laid up to buy clothes
WITH
"Then you can not spare it,
"I can go without clothes easier than
l can see poor, honest man suffering.
Oh, would rather have the free, heart
felt blessing of one honest soul than all
the dresses in the world! To walk
forth and feel that I am loved for the
good do were better far than millions
of money piled away in dark corners.
Go and give her ten dollars, and keep
me to my promise, for L will not break
it. But mind you, my name must not
be mentioned. Give to her as your own
gift.'
"But you will pay me?''
"When you ask it."
sI think it's foolish for you to throw
away your money so, and yet I'll give it
to her. You won't come to me for
dresses, though?''
emo, sir.''
The old man returned; having pulled
out his pocket-book, he drew out ten
dollars and handed it to Martha Allen.
"Here," he said, "take this and see
that you make good use of it.''
The poor girl took the money with
trembling hand, and as she looked at
the bills-two tives-she was startled.
"You have made a mistake, sir,' she
said.
"How so?''
"You have given me ten dollars
So meant, girl.''
A moment the child gazed into the
old mans face, and then she burst into
tears.
"Oh, SIR" she uttered, catching his
hands and pressing her lips upon them,
''God bless you for this! God bless you,
now and forever!''
When Martha Allen was gone, Absa-
lom Burr wiped a tear from his eye.
That night when Absalom Burr laid
his head upon his pillow he had new
emotion, and it was strange one to
him. He had done a deed of charity,
and the blessing of that poor girl yet
rang in his ears and dropped upon his
SOUL and he imagined he could hear
the prayers of Mark Allen ascending to
Heaven in his behalf. He knew Mark
Allen for an honest and industrious,
steady, hard working 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 did that deed of charity?
"Bv the saints,' murmured the old
man, starting half up in bed, 81 did it.
Kate shan't pay me one cent! She shan't,
bless me if she shall.''
Two days afterward Kate proposed
that they should 60 and visit Mark Allen.
"For," said she, s'our presence may
cheer him. And the old man finally
consented to go.
They reached the humble cot and were
welcomed in by Martha. They found
old Mark sitting in a great, stuffed
chair which neighbor had sent in, and
though he looked pale and wan, yet a
warm smile suffused his face as he saw
the visitors.
"Mr. Burr" he said, while big tears
stood in his eyes, 81 can never pay you
for the kindness you have shown me. l
may at some time pay the money, but l
can not pay you all, for the bare money
is as nothing compared with the knowl-
edge that I have such a generous
friend.''
'Talk not of money to me,' returned
Uncle Absalom, earnestly and warmly.
elf it served you, am already more
than repaid. The blessings of men are
cheaply purchased when SO slight sum
can do it; and, moreover, l have been
more than repaid in the very knowledge
that have been of service to suffering
fellow-creature.
Even Kate was surprised by this; but
she knew that it was real, and she was
glad.