Nevada County picayune., 1889-12-18

asked: "How much do you want?"
 "Please give me dollar, Mir. Mitchell" and there was an eager hopcfulness in the boys voice.
 "Here it is, take it. It IS the first dollar l ever gave away in my life, '" and the usually rough voice was mel lowed down so much that it sounded almost unpleasant to Paul.
 Thank you, thank you, Mir. Mitchell" said the boy as he caught at the coin. In moment he was gone. and old miser Mitchell was alone again.
 Again he rested in his chair and sleep came to him once more. He dreamed strange things as he slept there in his gloomy room. His life came mp before him. and above it he could see tue words all along the way, wasted-wasted years. Again, in his dreams, little Paul Kearns stood before him with his flashing eyes. He tried to drop his head, but he was powerless to do so. He tired to close his eyes, but his eyelids re- fused to go down. He sat transfixed before the noble boy who had learned the secret of true living and of being happy. Before him was q heap of shining dollars.
 'sOnly one of them have you saved, Mir. Mitchel-only one of them is of any value to you-all the rest are worthless, As Paul said this the money gradually crumbled away save the one dollar that shone and glittered like the sun.
 The old man awokc and was faint and dizzy. He tried to get upon his feet but was unable to dc so. Then there was a feeling of numb exhaus- ton, and there was blank in the old mans life
 Days passed before he could think rightly or hear and see. Then as consciousness feebly asserted it's powers the old man became aware of the fact that some one was near him, and caring for him. He tried to open his eyes and partially succeed ed. He saw the boyish form of little Paul Kearns standing close by. 1t came to him in moment, just how it was, and he reached out his hand toward the boy.
 'God bless you, Paul" he said, and then slept.
 When he awoke again he was bet ter. and was soon able to talk with Paul without injury to himself.
 "How long have l been sick:' he asked.
 ''Six weeks. came in the same day that you gave me the dollar to tell you how happy Mrs. Lee and Bessie were when l gave them your offer ing, and l found you upon the floor and thought you were dead. l ran for the doctor, and we got you upon the bed, and in little while you showed signs of life, l took care of you, and did just as the doctor told me to.
 And how is Mrs. Lee and Bes- sie;" the old man asked.
 "Bessic is better, but Mrs. Lees arm has not got well enough so that she can work yet" Paul answered.
 "Who takes care of them?" was the next inquiry.
 Il told some kind ladies about them and they go two or three times week to carry them food and to help them m other ways"
 II want you to carry some money right down to Mrs. Lee and tell her that old miser Mitchell sent it to her. I'll not be called by that name after to-day, however," and the old man reached for his pocket-book.
 "Here is a ten-dolar-bill for Mrs. Lee, and tell her she shall not suffer any more," and the sick man lay back on his pillow again.
 Ut will be a Christmas present for her," Paul said, joyfully. It is Christmas tomorrow.
 II had forgotten it, " the sick man said.
 When Paul returned after he had carried the money to Mrs. Lee, he found another ten-dollarbill upon the stand by the misers bed. ''lt's to buy you suit of new clothes for Christmas present." the mser said.
 "Now, I've got more money to go with the one dollar that l first gave