Iron County register., 1881-11-17
q" But what is it, uncle ?"

thdt uC uatu ONtI tWtItS lIlOuStAuo ooR-
lars slowed away there.
"Why, uncle! Is it possible? And
you let it lie there in the dark without
use!''
"But if the assessors knew it, they'd
make me pay taxes on it."
Kate was about to give utterance to
very indignant response, but she held IL
back and went and sat down by the old
mans side.
Snow look here, Uncle Absalom.
How much would you be taxed for that
money?''
"Over hundred dollars year.
Just think of it''
g Yes, and just think of this: Here
the railroad company has just advertised
for a loan of 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
idle somewhere"
"Perhaps so, said the old man
thoughtfully.
"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 where
you do not now get 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 affair rents. Think
how YOU will thus be benefiting the
| community, and at the same time rem
dering yourself more able to bestOw in
| charity such sums as your own good
judgment shall dictate. And then,
think again. resumed Kate as she
noticed the doubtful look upon her
uncle's face, "how much easier you
would feel to know that your money
was safe than to be worrying all the
while for fear some one will come in the
night and rob you.''.
This last hit touched the vulnerable
point, and Absalom said he would think
of it, And he did think of it to some
purpose, for on the very next morning
he started off for P, and having
found the proper officers, he told them
he could accommodate them with the
desired loan. They were much pleased,
and in a short time they had the money
in gold and current bills, and AbsalOm
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 for
his kindness, and his opinion had been
asked on various important matters, and
he had partly promised, too, that if the
new road wanted 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 little house into which
Kate had first come. On the morning
of the day which saw the sixth month
from the time of giving ten dollars to
Martha Allen pass away, Kate came
into the room where her uncle sat and
in her hand she held ten dollar note.
"Uncle Absalom," said she, "you re-
member what told you when you gave
the ten dollars to Martha Allen. The
six months are up and have come to
redeem my promise. Here is the
money!"
d" Thank you," said the old man, as
he took the bill and put it in his pocket.
s'I am glad you are so punctual."
That was all'he said, and then he took
his hat and went out. Kate was puz-
zled, but not astonished, for she no.
ticed twinkle in the old mans eye
which meant more than ten dollars
amounted to.
1t was near the middle of the after
noon when Uncle Absalom returned,
and under his arm he carried a small
box which he gave to Kate, saying as he
did so:
"Here Kate, this is for you-the first
present from your uncle"
There was tear in his eye and his
voice trembled; and when the bright
eyed girl kissed him he wept outright.
She hurried away to her little room
and opened the box. The first thing
she saw was letter directed to herself
in her uncle's handwriting. The next
was a neatly embossed ebony casket,
in which she found a gold watch and
chain with a locket attached, within
which was a miniature of Uncle Absa-
lom. Below this was q small book, and
by looking into it she discovered that on
that very day the sum of ten thousand
dollars had been deposited in her name,
at six per cent. interest, to be drawn by
her in whole or in part at will. As soon
as she could see clearly enough through
her tears, she opened her uncle's letter
and read as follows:
June 18th.
MY DEAR KATE-Six months ago my heart
was cold and hard, and closed to every
KlnQly eulDllOH IllN IellOWS
and saw no good in humanity. But you
came to me with sunlight and joy, and by
your sweet music and gentle persuasions my
heart was opened, and the light OF love en-
tered, and since then some good has escaped
from the opened heart. And now to you,
who performed the happy work, give the
accompanying as slight token of my love
for you and my appreciation of your many
virtues. But you will not leave me. Per-
haps at some time you may be called upon
to enter into a new and holier partnership,
but beg of you not to forget me. Tell the
happy man who may claim you that you can
not go without me, for my life would be
but living death without you.
Your uncle,
ABSALOM BURR.
When Kate next met her uncle, her
eyes were red with weeping and her
cheeks were wet. She moved to his
side, and as she kissed him she simply
whispered, "God bless you! will
never own home where you may not
60"
When the warm breath of summer
came the old man moved into q good