Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-02-08
sy)eMlhs' Column,
TIE LITTLE COLLECTOR.

Don't feel so badly, Mary" said
her sick husband, turning YEARLY in
his bed. 1--WE must not despair.
Perhaps Mr.. Bolton will pay you yet,
and that will keep us until / am able
to work again
sit is useless to look to him for
help; for you have written him, and
/ have been TO him, and his only re-
ply was that his workmen must not
leave him because some one else
offered them q trife more"
'Perhaps l was in the wrong i'll
leaving him, but twenty-five cents
day more would add so many little
comforts to our home that it seemed
best for me to accept the new offer"
''That need not prevent him from
paying you what he honestly owed
you when you left him, and no one
but bad man and an oppressor of
the poor would refuse us in our sit
uatlon."
SIS Mr.. Bolton a very bad MANI"
asked their little daughter, Nettie,
looking up from her play wondering
ly. HE don't look bad"
"Hush, Nettie," said her mother;
"you must not talk about it. You
and Rover go out and play"
Nettie did rs she was hidden; but
instead of playing she sat down to
think, while Rover crouched beside
her; and this is what she thought
aloud to Rover.
"Poor papa is sick, and mamma is
crying-Mr. Bolton owes papa ten
dollars, and won't send it to him nor
pay it TO mamma, i wish l could get
ten dollars somewhere" Then hap
by thought came to her.
Rover wagged his tail approvingly
and the two were on the street. 1t
was narrow crOss-street on which
Nettie and Rover lived, but they
soon came out into a broad thorough
fare, crowded with people and teams.
But Rover kept a watchful guard of
his little golden-haired mistress, till
at last they reached the great ware
house, of Mr.. Bolton. AS Nettie
went up the broad steps, the massive
proportions of the building almost
took away her courage, and she be-
gan to wish she was back home but
seeing a pleasant faced clerk coming
towards her, her courage revived.
swell, little girl. what is lt?'
sis Mr.. Bolton here? ?" she asked.
$50 you want to see Mr.. Bolton,
said the clerk. laughing.
eyes, Rover and do"
"Come this way, them
"Here are some strange visitors,
for you Mr.. Bolton" said the clerk.
stepping to the office door.
"Bring them in," said the proprie
tor, looking up inquiringly, and he
saw before him a rosy-faced, blue
eyed girl, nervously fumbling he
dress, and close beside her grea
noble-looking dog.
''What is it, my little girl?' h
asked.
80, Mr.. Bolton, my poor papa i
sick, and mamma is crying, and sh
says you are not good because yo
don't pay papa. Rover and l cam
to see if you would not pay us, AM
here the little girl broke down an
burst into tears. Rover plante
himself in front of her and eyed tn
merchant suspiciously.
Mr.. Bolton was strict man c
business, somewhat inclined to Sc
verify, but his heart softened at tn
picture before him. He quickl
guessed who his little visitor was
and his thoughts went back over til
many years Robert Hunt, her father
had served him as his faithful an
most efficient workman. He ha
felt offended when Robert left hi
for more pay, and withheld the sma
balance due him.
eyes, | ought to have raised b
pay" he thought, "for his place hs
never been filled by any so capable
I'll do him justice now, for | ca
well afford it."
"Don't cry any more, little girl;
will pay you and Rover, and send
letter to your papa"
81 tod mamma you looked good
exclaimed Nettie.
The merchant then wrote lette
into which he put bank note, al
gave it to Nettie, and short tin
later she came rushing into her HON
breathless with excitement, wi
Rover barking behind her.
80 Experimentation and
have got it; and he sent you Il lettf
Here it isl
"Why, Nettie, what is the ma
ter? Who has sent letter." ask
Mr.. Hunt.
why, Mr.. Bolton"
Mrs. Hunt opened the letter wi
trembling hands, and read the fl
lowing:
My DEAR ROBERT Il never re-
lied that | had wronged you un
this morning, when your lit
daughter came to my office.
other appeal could have touched
as did her simple childishness, and
now hasten to right the wrong.
enclose you the ten dollars due yo
and have also to add that ] ba
need of your services, at advanC
pay, as soon as you are able to We