River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-11-05

comfort him? Poor woman, both she
and Jake were well acquainted with
ways of doing without money, but knew
little of means for restoring it, and il
was trnly TWO sad hearts that sat by
the fire that night
"Well, | 'spose it is used up and
gone, Jake, said the mother at last,
land | can see no way of bringin' il
back; but we can at least try to bear il
cheerfully, and to help us do that,
'spose we tell God about it; it always
comforts me greatly just to tell him a
trouble. and always know, if there is
any way to help it, he will be sure to
know it and make it plain.
1t is by no means ce tain that Jake
was particular pious boy; but his
heart was so sore and troubled that
evening that he made no objection, and
joined very feryently III his mother S
humble, trustful prayer.
But that night, as Jake lay on his
bed, sudden thought came to his
mind, kind of forlorn hope. but still
it was something worth trying.
The postmaster of the nearest village
was known throughout the community
as a wonderfully smart man; The ex.
tent of his information and the amount
of his knowledge relating to hundreds
of things, was simply remarkable
What now if with his mucilage bottles,
his sticking papers, etc, he could mend
up this poor tattered note! With all
his learning he was a genial, kind
hearted man, and Jake would at least
go to him with his trouble, it could
bring him nothing worse than, perhaps,
a good-natured lecture on his foolish,
thoughtless act.
He said nothing of his intention tc
his mother, but Jake was soon on his
way to the post-oifice, knowing he
would find the master alone there al
that hour, making up the evening
mail.
With all his genuine sympathy the
good man could scarcely repres; q
smile when at the end of the story the
poor boy drew out the hopeless looking
wreck-the note which he said was
right sharply rumpled. >
at does look ike a pretty hard case,
Jake, " said the postmaster, with a
twinkle IN his eye, land it will take a
deal of time and mucilage to mend it,
but leave ii with me, and come back
next Saturday evening, | will see what
| can do with it. .
1t was at least a comfort to have
even so Slight hope, thought Jake
but he would not tell his mother fol
fear of causing her only second dis
appointment No, he would keep it al
to himself. but morning and evening
found Jake telling sore One else
whom his mother trusted, and asking
that the note, if possible, might be re
stored.
Saturday evening came, and it il
needless to say that with it came Jake
to the post-office, and with another
twinkle in his eye the master looked
up 20 meet him.
''Well, Jake, he said, Il have done
he best could for you, and here il
is and before Jake's staring, in.
credulOus eyes was laid down a twenty
dollar note, as crisp and bright as i
inst issued from the Treasury.
"But-how-how did you do it?'
ne gasped, still fearful it must be only
a joke.
"Well, my boy. " said the postmaster
kindly. ''of course you did not know
but l could have told you, that Uncle
Sam at Washington is always ready tC
make his own notes good, it matter,
not how worn and tattered they may
be, and it has taken just week to sent
the one you brought to him, and ge
this in return. 1t was a lucky thing
that you thought of bringing it to me
With heart lighter if possible, than
on that evening two weeks before
Jake fastened home, and soon tn,
widows heart was again throbbins
with glad establishment.
ooh, Jake" she cried, "did / no
tell you that if there was way out O
the trouble, God would make it plant
But Jake had already been thinking
of that, and what is more-he neve
forgot it.