Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-06-18

carriage seemed to reassure him, for he
SAID very blandly: "How can 1 serve
After some conversation, John sue iced.
ca IN making himself understood.
and the salesman set upon the counter a
chest Of drawers, which he opened sue
scessivey, taking out of them handsome
boxes of blue and red and green velvet.
Inc contents of these boxes were eagerly
examined, and at last John took up the
o n and critical inspection.
" aat is the price Of that?" asked he.
Rive thousand dollars," replied the
salesman, as he sent another sharp glance
him. "0i0'0
81 will take It," said John, and after
much tlmbling and many ridiculous ges-
lures lie drew out of his pocket a card and
letter which he handed to the salesman,
who walked hack to the desk, remained a
few minutes in conversation with one of
the i'm, and then returned to,the counter.
Take your seat a few minutes, until the
messenger returns" said he to the pur-
chaser. In twenty minutes the messenger
returned with q communication which
proved satisfactory, for, after reading it,
the salesman bowed so p%rofoundly, and
smiled sotgracious!y, that John never was
quite right, sir; excuse me for asking you
" waltz said he, handing to John u care
fully wrapped parcel. "Let ME see you to
your carriage, SIR"
When John, with the salesman's assist
ance,reached his seat in the carriage, he
beganfor the first time to feel like a rich
man. THAT mons senses must be obtuse
indeed,who does not feel a temporary SUI
periority to the ills of life when he is
snugly seated in an easv-rolling carriage.
It is the nearest approximation to Tam o.
Shantfr's gloss which enables aman to re-
| f0in Q1ffro nOSsnSSinn IF hSS oonsoc
JohHs ride came to an end, and he
again entered his humble home. The
pz'eciots parcel was carefully put away in
an oldFhabby hair-trnnk in a corner of the
room. He has not yet made up his mind
to leavp his chamber for quarters more
compatible with his prosperity. Those
blank 3alls had been friends to him-they
would teproach him If he left them so soon
after gttting beyond the necessity of their
poor dpmfort and protection-he must
grant taem some days of grace. Those
whom be felt it now his duty to aid, lived
his ILLUSTRATIONS to them without de-
lay. He knew their wants. Not
a weeY ago he had been one of them.
Heavei had marched him out as their
friendhnd helper. There was rheumatic
John Flint, who stood sorely in need Of
fanneb; and how often he had heard Mrs.
SimpsPn's bed ridden daughter beg forthe
luscious fruit which wa too expensive for
her mbther's slim earnings. IND quite as
far outside Of the "charitles" dispensed on
Saturdays at the Mothers Meetings. With
such betails of human suff ering and such
petty disbursements of funds did the Grip
pie now occupy himself; little dreaming
Chat he was exemplifying the highest
Christianity in thus giving the cup of cold
water unto the lenst of these unfortunate
ones It did his heart good to hear them
say: eBless you, John, for not givin' us
| the cold GhnnldA1. when Won O0f vollr hir
FORTH"
While desolate homes were growing
moro beautiful from the alms-giving Of
the poor cripple, another process of beau
tifying was going on In the completion of
the cathedral window. The rector gave
without being asked a question by the
donor. John realized that he had placed
1t in good hands. Not so with the treasure
put away in the old trunk. The contem-
plation of this precious possession was the
delight reserved for every evening when
Rrpor. AT the end of the day he would
open the old trunk, take out the blue velve,
box II gaze at it's contents-sometimes
so long md wistfully that n tear would
stealdown his cheek. And then be would
close the box, replace it in the trunk, and
morrow will do. I will do it Tomorrow"
Sunday morning found him always at
lis post. The organ was his delight. and
millions would not have induced him to
resign his position. Ellis heart felt the
lighter when he bowed through the TIC
Deum," he was accustomed to say to those
who inquired why he insisted upon doing
a poor mans work.. One morning the rec
tor nccosted him rs he was leaving the
cathedral: "John. your window will be
put in by next Sunday, the work is beau
tifully done, n have prepared q SER
dom of Heaven;' I shall preach it that
day"
'And John will be happier than any
body in the cathedral-his heart will be
full" stammered the cripple. The pretty
widow passed very near them during the
garment touched her hnlf-witted admirer,
and he uttered a scarcely audible "Good-
morning. madam"
The following day new objects of chari-
ty, which he had discovered in his rounds,
were to receive his special attention. Upon
his head, but enthusiasm brought new
strength and he worked all day in a dis
tant quarter of the city. His new projects
confused his ideas not a little, and when
the day was ended he hurried home. His
wearied, distorted body craved rest, but
his treasure before going to bed. His
feeble hands could not turn the lock. A
sense of faintness overcame him, and he
rested his outstretched arms upon the
trunk for some minutes, then with a sud
den effort he rose and tottered to the bed,
1t was noon next day when a hoy, sent by
the woman who had cooked his meals
since he had been able to afford such a lux
ury, called to inquire why he had not come
to his breakfast.
"Ican not eat" said the sick man, in q
voice so low that the boy bent over him tc
catch the words, "but 1 will give you
money, big money. if you will fetch the
doctor, and go to the clergy-house for the
rector"
The boy finally succeeded in understand
ing the drift of the almost inaudible
words. He opened his eyes at the sound
of s'big money!" and hurried into the
street. It was no difficult task to find the
doctor, but when he reached the clergy
house, the rector was absent on a visit to q
sick parishioner in a distant part of the
city, and it was late in the afternoon be-
fore he stood at the bedside of the Grip
pie.
"The expenditure of nervous. energy las
been too great to admit of r~ecuperation in
SO feeble a body" said the doctor pro-
foundry. she has no vital force; he may
live through the night, but not longer
The mission of science being ended, he
took his departure.
"John," said the rector, "would you like
to say any thing to me before you die?
IN vo,, not wich tO tnll me- that Won are