The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-30
A STORY FOR NEW YEAR

"'Cast your bread upon the waters
and it shall return. Yes, that's very
true, John. but we are getting along
the road of life pretty fast, and the few
dollars you give away now and then
we will need in our old days. l felt
sort O sorry for the girl, but poor folks
can't do everything"
Such were the words that Mary Daw-
son said on New Years morning to
her husband, who, the night before,
had found young woman and her
child, out in the cold.
The honest heart of old John Daw-
son went out to the wanderers.
Come with me and let me carry
the little one" said the farmer, after
he had heard that they We're on the
way to the railroad station, which was
some miles distant, and stopping he
lifted the child IN his great strong
arms, and after wrapping his coat
around her all three proceeded to the
comfortable farm house. Beside the
great blazing log the old farmer list
ened to a pitiful story that night from
the wanderer whom he had brought to
the fireside. How she had lost her
parents, and at the age of fifteen was
thrown out on the world friendless and
penniless. How she had accepted the
position of companion to one who was
not even her equal in days gone by;
how life seemed a burden for two
wears, until she had met her husband,
in whose love a shadowy haze seemed
to gather over all the dark days of the
past and cast the tenderness of trans
tiguration on even the memories, until
he was called over the river.
"And now,' continued the wander
er, Il am going to New York and |
must catch the midnight train. can
sketch and paint very nicely, and per-
haps | can find employment and so
support my child and myself. "
'tYou needn't do any such thing"
said John Dawson. after the woman
had finished speaking. You're too
young and frail to go to a big city like
that alone. You just stay here as long
as you like and Mary and me will make
you as comfortable as two bugs in a
rug"
Tears filed the eyes of the homeless
woman, and rising from her seat she
walked to the side of the honest farmer
and laying her hand on his shoulder,
| said, Language grows weak in pro-
portion to the fullness of my heart, and
while | cannot accept of your kind
| offer and true hospitality, held out to
me a stranger, still / hope and pray
that some day l may be able to repay
| your kindness even seventy times
| seven"
And so it happened, as Farmer John
| bonIoJ +bo Etrla ri bob nv to ire moth
er on the midnight train, he placed a
| package in her hands saying, Here
are some cakes for the little one, |
thought perhaps she might eat them. "
Ten years have passed and again we
visit John Dawson. He has become
very old and feeble and almost unable
to work.
1T is just as told you, John. +" his
/ wife was saying. ''9ou would help
people so much that when we got old
somebody would have to help US. Tine
mortgage will be due tomorrow. Mr.
Harrington will foreclose, and we will
.iose the old home that has been SC
dear to US these many years. AWAY:
told you just how it would end.
don't know what we are going to de
in our old days, with no place to la.
our heads.
II know it is hard, Mary said tn,
farmer, laying his head on his hands
But the Lord knows best We hay,
always done our duty, and never gav'
much away, Mary, because L dIdn'
have it to give. If it must come
it must, and we will have to do tn
best we can. People say MIR. Harring
ton is a very close man and / suppos
we will have TO give up the old home
So the next morning honest Johl
/ Dawson took his way TO Mr. Harring
} ton with heart as heavy as lead, l
: tell him that he could not pay tn
, mortgage, and that he would give u
the farm.
J Mr. Harrington had only lately al
: rived from Europe with beautifl
/ wife. His estates had been manage
for years by his lawyer, and he wa
: about settling up all business matter.
: John Dawson mounted the steps of th
| elegant mansion and with a heav
heart rang the bell. A servant Shove
: him into The parlor. but as he was e
< inc through the hall Mrs. Harringto
CAUGHT sight of him and immediatel
called the servant, asking: who
that old gentleman and what does
want?"
|. That's old John Dawson. who liv,
= ON the turnpike, and he has come !
see about his mortgage. It's due 4
.. day and folks say the old man wi
( have to give up the farm. T"
! A divine light shone from the eyes
: Mrs. Harrington. and in atremblin
vn,ce she said. Tell the gentlems
wait. will call Mr.. Harrington. =
= she went directly to her husban
y Who was sitting in the library. al
2 nnttinr her arms around his neck s.
Z said. s.Harry, you have told me e.
= you would do anything in the world
4, would ask =
= .Yes, my dear, he answere
= = s.yFhaf can do that will please youl
!. s.You have mortgage on the far
e of old John Dawson, she replied.
= ..Yes. and | am told i y due
= =. morrow. Whyg
Y Y ..If you want to do your WIG :
= !. greatest favor she could possibly z
ID Il anything Of intrinsic value, .
ID make her lore you Ten times as mus
ta & Il we're possible. give ne that mo
But. my dear, What q you ws
- s1 ssNeyer " mind. Harry. Give 4 g