The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-09-26

and dreamed all night that he had given
way all his treasured gold. 1t was q
| horrible dream; but still from that time
on he spoke of the board and the rope
to himself when he counted up his gooc
deeds.
I'm not a miser, rs they say" he
would mutter over his money. Il am
always giving ropes and boards to the
poor"
At last poor Donald McDee fell very
iii. He stayed in bed, unable to get out
of it. Under him, in the mattress, all
his money was hidden.
Good neighbors brought him food
and drink, and peats for his fire; but he
would not have a doctor, for fear OF the
expense. But one day, as he walked
from a doze, there, sitting by his side,
was the white woman, with her old cry,
give me something for the poor"
I'm sick now, and poorer than ever"
said Donald; "but mind this, We e
went from my door empty-handed.
There's a brass kay; it's a good front
door kay. The marire-store dealer will
give you fourpence for it. Take it and
60"
II go" said the white woman. "You
will see board and key and rope again.
and rejoice that you gave them"
She seemed to fade as mist or smoke
vanishes from sight.
II shall die in the poor-house! )"
moaned the old man. Every Well.
I'll try to save in light. I'm a very
poor man."
He turned with a groan, blew out the
candle, and left himself to die gasping
in the dark.
Donald McDee's spirit found itself
standing on the margin of black river
awful to look upon. Beyond lay some
thing too glorious to look upon, that
seemed made of gold and precious
stones.
An angel stood beside him.
"Do you know what light that is yon-
der ?" he said.
"I do not" replied Donald, tremb-
ling.
ut is the gate of heaven" said the
angel.
MAY I enter ?" asked Donald.
"If thou canst ford the river, climb
the steep hill, and unlock the golden
gate" said the angel.
How can do that?" asked Don
aid.
Remember all your good actions"
said the angel.
Let me see," said Donald. ~ drove
the Widow Dunn's COW for rent, and
made pretty penny of it, and took her
pig myself"
The angel frowned.
Il picked up the money the ould
blind squire dropped, and him none the
the wiser" said Donald.
The angel sighed.
1T seems all wrong now" said Don
aid.
II thought it right. I've never given
a thing away, but a rope and a board
and a bit of a kay. / wish / had given
money now. Sure, there she is againls
For the white woman stood heal him
and held OFT a bit of a board.
1T returns to you again." she said;
"a bridge to cross the river" and, in
deed, rs he laid it on the bank, it up
held him, and seemed to lengthen so
that on it he crossed the shining river.
There stood the mountain, high and
steep, but he saw the rope dangling
over the side, and a voice from above
cried, lit is the rope hat you gave.
Hold it fast and climb, climb, climb
Donald stood before the gate of heav-
en- at last, and, looking through its bars
of gold, saw the beautiful land within,
but the gate remained fist locked.
II cannot win heaven, he moaned;" I
have been too wicked
But then a hand was on his arm, and
the white robed woman was beside him
again. She held a key in her hand.
Your voluntary gift, Donald" she
said. Take it and unlock the gate"
But Donald stood clasping his hand
upon his brow.
81 I'M trying to remember what my
mother taught me- he said. What
was it? Tt is more blessed to give
than to receive That was it.
As he spoke a mantle Of sin seemed to
fall from him, the golden gates turned
upon their hinges, and he entered heav-
u.