The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-08-14
Donald's eyes and the stars, but
what it was he knew not. att

ana dreamed all nlght that ne had
given away all his treasured gold.
1t was horrible dream, but still
from that time on he spoke of the
board and the rope to himself when
he counted up his good deeds. g.l I
81 am not a miser, as they saw"
he would mutter over his money.
I'm always. giving ropes and boards
to the poor" s-
At last poor Donald McDee fell
very i'll. He stayed in bed, unable
to get out OF 1t Under him, in the
mattress, all his money was hidden.
Good neighbors brought him food
and drink, and peats for his fire;
and he would not have doctor, for
fear of the expense; but one day, as
he walked from a doze, there sitting
bJ his side, was the white woman,
with her old cry: =I
Give me something for the poor"
aim sick now, and poorer than
ever" said Donald; but mind this,
We never went from my door empty
handed. There's brass kay; it is q
good front doUr kay; the junk man
will give you foLrpence for it. Take
it and 90.
Il go" said The white woman.
"You will see board and key and
rope again, aud rejoice that you gave
them" ,tft
She seemed 10 fade as mist or
smoke vanished from sight.
Il shall die in the poorhouse,"
moaned the old man. "yery well,
Ill try to save it in light. I'm u
very pour mal. sEI
lie turned with a groan, blew out
the candle and left himself 10 die
gasping in the dark. - =
Donald MeDees spirit found IT,
self standing on the margin of a
bIaek river awful 10 look upon. Be-
yond lay something too glorious 10
look upon, that seemed made of
gold aud precious stones. An angel
stood behind him.
"Do you know what light that is
yonder?" he said.
Il do not replied Donald,
trembling. -
lit is the gate Of Heaven" said
the angel. y ~ $*sE.
May | enter?" asked Donald.
"lf thou canst ford the river,
Climb the steep hill and unlock the
golden gate" said the angel.
How can / do that?" asked
Donald. @@ s.
'ltemember all vourgood actions"
said the angel.
lat me see" SAID Donald. II
drove the Widow Dunn's COW for
rent, and made u pretty penny Of it,
aud ! took her pig myself"
The angel frOwued.
IL picked up the money the ould
blind squire dropped, and him none
the wiser" said Donald.
The angel sighed.
''lt seems all wrong now," said
Donald. II thought it right. I've
never given a thing away but q rope
and q board and . bit of key. ]
wish Id given money now. Sme,
there she Is again!"
For the white woman stood near
him and held out bit Of board.
lit returns to you agaln," she
said: q bridge TO cross the 1yer;"
and, indeed, as he laid il on the
bank, il upheld him, and seemed 10
lengthen SO that on it he crossed
the shining river.
There stood the mountain. high
and steep, but he saw q rope dang.
ling over the side, and a voice from
above cried:
1T IN the rope yOu gave. Hold il
fast aud climb. climb, climb"
Donald stood before the gate of
Heaven at last, and looking through
its liars Of gold, saw the beautiful
land within, but the gate remained
fast locked
II cannot win Heaven" he moan
I'd; II have been too wicked"
But then hand was on his ann,
and the white-robed woman was be-
side him again. She held key in
her hand.
"Your voluntary gift, Donald"
she said. Take il and unlock the
gaze"
"l,ut Donald stood clasping his
hand upon his brow.
II am trying to remember what
my mother taught me from the
niDle," he said. "What wssi it z
III il more blessed to give than to
receive. That was IT," .~.
As he spoke n mantle Of sin
seemed to fall about him, the golden
gates turned upon their hinges and
he entered heaven. - Il