Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1888-12-01

4 10 US once mofe!
| The mother could not speak-she could
only press her children more fondly to her
| bosom, and weep mothers tears upon them
| Was Lzze Wilkins happy as she sat her
children down to that mornings meala At
least, ray of sunshine was struggling to
gain entrance to her bosom.
Towards the middle OF the afternoon, Mr..
Abel Walker, retired sea captain of some
wealth, sat in hts comfortable parlor engaged
in reading, when one of his servants inform
ed him that some one at the door wished to
see him.
"Ten him to come in, then," returned
Walker
''But it's that miserable Wilkins, SIR"
''Never mind,n said the captain, after mo-
ments hesitation, 'show him in. Poor fell
low" he continued after the servant had
gone, 81 wonder what lie wants. In truth
pity him."
With trembling step and downcast look.
Thomas Wilkins entered Captain Walkers
parlor.
"Ah, Wilkins" said the old captain, what
has brought you hereln
! The poor man twice attempted to speak,
but his heart failed him.
/ DO you come for charityl'
! mo, SIR" quickly returned Wilkins, while
his eyes cleaned with proud light.
Then sit down ard out with It," said
Walker, in blunt but kind tone.
Captain Walker" commenced the poor
man. as he took the profTered seat, a have
come to ask you if you still own that little
! cottage beyond the hill"
! Il do"
"Aud it is occupied"
"No,"
rs it engaged?'
| 'No returned the captain, regarding his
| visitor with uncommon interest. ''But why
do you askl'
Captain Walker said Wilkins, in a firm
and manly tone, even though his eyes glis-
tened and his lips quivered, Il have been
| poor and degraded, deeply stepped in the
| dregs of poverty and disgrace. Every thing
that made life valuable, have almost lost.
| My wife and children have sutfered-and oh,
! God only knows how keenly! have long
| wandered in the path OF sin. One after an
! other the tender cords OF friendship that used
| to bind me to the world have snapped in
! sunder; my name has become bYword, and
| upon the earth | have been but foul bot.
! But sir, from henceforth I am maui Up
from the depth of its long grave l have
dragged forth my heart, aud love still has Its
! home therein. l have sworn to touch the
! fatal cup no more; and 10 my heart there is no
| liel My wife ana my children shall suffer no
more for the sins they never committed. l
have seen my old employer at the machine
shor, and lie has given me a situation, and is
even anx Gus that ! should come back; and,
sir, he has even been kind enough TO give me
In, Ffnla of
clothing, food, and furniture Tomorrow
morning l commence wori'."
"And you came to see if you could obtain
your cottage back again to live in?" said
Capt Walker, as Wilkins hesitated.
Eyes, sir-to see ii l could hire It OF YOU"
returned the poor man.
"Wiikins, how much can you make at your
businessp bluntly asked the old captain,
.thout seeming to heed the request
'My employer is going to put me on to job
work. sir; and as soon as get my hand in,
can easily make from twelve TO fourteen dol
,ars week"
"And how much will It take to support
your famjly7"
:,As soon as / get cleared up, l can easily
get along with five or six dollars week"
''Then you might be able 10 save about
Jour hundred dollars year"
Il mean to dc that sir"
A few moments Capt. Walker gszed into
be face Of his visitor, and then he asked:
Have you pledged yourself yeti"
'Before God and IN my heart, 1 have; but
me Of my errands here was to get you to
write me a pledge, aud have It made to my
wife and children"
Captain Walker sat down to his table and
role out the required pledge, and then, In
trembling, but bold hand, Thomas Wilkins
signed it.
wilkins" said The old man, as he took his
visitor By the hand, I have watched well
your couutenance, and weighed YOUR words.
t,ow you speak truth. When | bought that
cottage from your creditors six years ago
rail them one thousand dollars for il. 1t has
not been harmed, aui it IS as good as it was
then. Most OF the time / have received good
/ rent Tor it. Now, sir, you shall have It for
| Just what paid for it, and each month you
/ shall pay me such q sum as you can comfort
| ably spare until it is al paid. | will ask you
| for no rent, nor Tor a cent Of interest You
/ shall have 4 deed of the estate and in return
/ l will take but a single note and mortgage,
/ upon which you can have your own time"
/ Thomas wilkins tried to thank the old man
/ for his kindness, but he only sank back into
/ his chair ana wept like a Oh Id; aud While he
/ yet sal with his face buried in his hands, the
| old man slipped from the room. and when
| at length be returned he bore in his hand a
| neatly covered basket.
/ Come, come" the captain exclaimed,
| "cheer up, nv friend. Here are some tid-bits
/ for your wife and chiidrCn.-taEe them home;
| and believe me- Wilkins, if you feel half as
/ happy ID receiving my favor as | do IN be-
/ slowing it, you are happy indeeL"
% Goll-Gol will bless GU for this, sir"
/ exclaimed the ADMINISTRATION man. land
/ if betray your conf lence, may die on the
| Instant"
stick to your pledge, Wilkins, aud l vii
take care of the rest" said the old captain,
as his friend took the basket "If you have
/ time to morrow call on ma, and | will ar
range the papers"
! As Thomas Wilkins once more entered the
/ street b 5 tread was Hight and easy A bright
! light Of 10 business shone in every feature,
/ and as he wendell his way hon ward, he felt
/ in every avenue Of his soul that he was once
/ more mani
! The gloomy shades chat ushered In the
! night Of the thirty first Of December had fall
| len over the snow -claI earth. With the mis-
! cradle dwelling Of Mrs. Wlkens there was
! more OF comfort than we found when first we
/ visited her, but yet nothing had been added
! L., =, hn lozf