The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-02

amt you?" he said to his wife on her re-
turn. "Set right down by the stove; we've
got blessed good fire anyway. An
there wasn't no letter? Hum Well,
guess there will be one next week, or
else the boy'll come himself"
So the old man talked hopefully to his
wife, who, intent on her cooking and Sat.
urday cleaning, grew more cheerful; and
when they sat down to their late dinner
of bean porridge, with dessert of boiled
rice, they grew quite merry over it, like
two children as they were.
81 rely b'lieve, wife. I can git down to
the meetin' to day; it's wonderful how
much better my lameness is"
"Well, father, do jest as you feel about
it, but it would be dreadful pity tc
overdo agin."
"Yes, that's so; but it's been power
OF Sundays sense went, an I guess ]
can stand it. Well start early, an mebbe
we'll git lift part of the way. do miss
the meetin's beyond all tellin', an. I guess
the Lord'll help me to enjoyin' of 'em
agin. I've been kinder .prsyin' along in
my mind about it.
When they were ready to start, he said:
"Don't forgit the collection money, Eu-
nice"
GOOD land alive, Danl Are you
clean crazy, that you want to give away
your very last cent?"
81 dunno as I'm crazy, but thought
you said there was eleven cents left, an l
guess we can afford to give a penny
apiece out O that. I'd be ashamed enough
to go to the Lords houss,an' not put some-
thin in the basket; an so would you
when you think on it."
II amt begrudged it when we've had
it to give, but it does pear to me this ain t
no time for givin';;" but with a calmness
born of despair, she went to the bureau
drawer and took two cents from the limp
little pocket book, and handed one to her
husband.
"There don't know as it makes any
difference how the last of it goes; it amt
enough to have any words over, an I
don't want to get my mind all riled up
| just as I'm goin' to meetin', but it does
seem to me that man that been hon
est an hsrd-workin' all his life, an always
dom an givin' beyond his means, an
hangin' onto the promises as you have,
ought to have some good come to him
afore he's dead; but instead OF that, it's
loss after loss, an trial after trial.
"Now, wife, don't git down-spirited;
there's good ahead on us yet-some on it
comm right now, for Deacon Bsiley's
drivin' down the hill an beckonin' for US
to come an ride. He's a thoughtful cree
tur, bless him r
The next morning Mrs. Bailey said to
her husband: Somehow, I feel worried
about Uncle Daniel and his wife. I no.
ticed yesterday how old and worn they
looked-haggard, in fact. You don't
suppose they're in any want, do you?"
"Reslly, haven't given the matter
thought; but he's had bad spell of
lameness, you know"
eyes; but she looks worse than he
does, if anything"
| "Well, their son sends them money; he's
doing quite well out West now, SO Uncle
Daniel told me some time ago, and they
hope he will come home before long,"
"But Aunt Eunice said yesterday they
hadn't heard from him in so long that
they were getting worried"
"That's too bad; but the old folks are
not without funds anyhow, for took up
the collection yesterday, and they both
put in money"
"Oh, then OF course they're not in need.
am SO glad, for 1 was getting quite
troubled about Them"
But at the dinner-table Mrs. Bailey
said: 81 haven't got over my worry
about Uncle Daniels folks yet; they've
been on my mind all the NOR ming, and
I think he's just the kind of man to
give the very last cent to the Lord, and
enjoy doing it.; and do believe they're
in need OF some of the comforts of life. I
wish knew just what p
"Now, what a woman you are to jump
to conclusions" laughed her husband;
"but if what you fancy is true, how are
we going to set the matter right I
don't believe Uncle Daniel could accept
charity very gracefully; he's the most
sensitive man I know"
Eyes; but he might be grateful for help
if the giver was unknown; we must think
out some plan"
"Give 'em surprise party" suggested
Harry. II saw her over at the store Sat
urdsy, buying some beans, an she got
two candles. Think of It'll She said they
wasn't so dangerous as oil, but she paid
for what she got, any way"
81 might put barrel of provisions on
their doorstep after dark" said the Dea-
con. Il remember they had few vege-
tables planted in the yard, but of course
it was DO supply for the winter; so, wife,
if you think best we'll make up barrel
full ont of our cellar"
sand do put in some. butter p said
Harry, who was an extravaganza lover of
that article. aunt Eunice bought the
Iittlest pat of it you ever see-not more'n
l want to one meal. IT'S awful to have