Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-03-28

the transaction to enter his mind. How
cold. moody and uncomfortable he in
stantly became Self-love was seeking
TO rob the money lender of the just re-
ward of good deed. But the voice
which had prompted the generous act
was heard clear and sweet, and again
his heart beat to a gladder measure.
Evening was closing in on the day
following. 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 number of "good
transactions" had been made. On one
perfectly safe note he had been able to
charge as high as three per cent. per
month. Full of pleasurable excitement
had his mind been while thus gathering
in gain, but now, the excitement being
over. he was oppressed. From whence
the pressure came, he did not know. A
cloud usually fell upon his spirits with
the closing day; and there was not sun
shine 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 befriended the day be-
fore.
"Step in here just one moment" said
the young man.
The request was made in way that
left Mr.. Edgar no alternative but COM
pliance. So he entered the humble
dwelling. He found himself in a small
unlighted room, adjoining one in which
lamp was burning. and in which was
a young woman, plainly but neatly
dressed, and four children the young
est lying in cradle. The woman held
in her hand warm Bay State shawl,
which, after pleased expression of
eountenapce, she threw over her shoul-
ders and glanced at herself in looking
glass. The oldest of the children, a
boy. was trying on new overcoat; and
his sister, two years younger, had a
white muff and a warm woolen shawl,
in which her attention was complete alb
sorbed. A smaller child had new cap
aud 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 oldest of the children. "Yes-
terday morning when | told him how
cold | was going to school, he said be
was sorry, but that must try to dc
without a coat this winter, for he hadn't
money enough to get US all we wanted
How did he get more money, mother"
ITO kind gentleman, who helped
your father. we are indebted for these
needed New Year surprises" replied the
mother.
"He must be good man. said the
boy. whats 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 this mean 2" asked tn,
money lender. as he hastily retired from
the room he had entered.
"If you had charged me one per cent
on my note, this scene would not have
occurred" said the mechanic. "Witl
the sum you so generously saved me
was able to buy these comforts. M.
heart blessed you for the deed, and
the good wishes of my happy family Cal
throw sunshine across your path it will
be full of brightness.
Too much affected to reply, Mr.. Ed
gar returned the warm pressure of tn
hand which had grasped his and glide'
away.
A CLEAN of sunshine had indeed fall
en- along the pathway of the none
lender. Home had a brig ghter look a
he passed his own threshold. He fel
kinder and more cheerful, and kindnes
and cheerfulness flowed back to hir
from all the inmates of his dwelling
He half wondered at the changed aspec
worn by everything. His dreams tina
night were not of losses, fires and th
wreck of dearly cherished hopes, but
the humble home made glad by his ger
erous kindness; again the happy motl
er, the pleased children and the grat'
full father were before him, and his ow
heart leaped with new delight.
''It was a small act, very light sa'
rifce on my part" said Mr.. Edgar
himself, as he walked, in musin
mood, towards his Office on the nel
morning, "and yet how much of rel
happiness has it been the occasion
much that a portion thereof has fowe
back upon my own heart"
"a good act is twice blessed.
1t seemed as if the words were spoil
en aloud, so distinctly and so sudden,
were they presented to the mind of M