Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-22
once of condemnation" asked his visit


knowing what he said.
The other struck the wall with his
wand, and instantly there cleaned up
on il in fiery letters
Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fre!"
What has that to do with mep" ask
ed Peter, his teeth chattering.
Tell me OF your good works. Have
you any to showP"
Peter was silent.
when have you ever given the
value of farthing to relieve the
necessities of others? Can you name a
single instance?"
Peter hung his head.
''Do you remember the shivering
child that passed you on the sidewalk
this afternoon, and held out its hand
for giftP What did you, who had in
your pocket what would have been a
fortune to her--what did you give herP"
The miser's face was tinged with
shame.
Tell me, then, what good have you
Zone in the world? What becomes of
all the gold that pours into your cofIersP
Do you ever encourage industry by
spending it on yourself? Look at this
miserable room, where you lead a
miserable life, combining yourself to the
barest necessaries, when you might en-
Joy all its comforts. Tell me, Peter,
have you anything to gain yourself, by
living? A few years of privation could
bring you no happiness"
But | am not fit to die" said lie
miser, appalled,.
''Are you fit to live?r was the stern
rejoinder ''Do you think any one
would be the worse off for your death?'
IL will reform; only try mel" i'm
plored the miser.
What good would it do?"
''Just a year, entreated Peter.
Then, il am not different man,
come and take me-"
There was pause. At length the
reply came.
1T shall be as you wish. II, after
the end OF "A year, find no change in
you, | will come again"
Peter awoke, TO find himself in the
dark, and the cold perspiration oozing
from his brow.
The dream had made profound i'm
preston upon him. Suddenly. the
y vs.
and he saw his life in all its barrenness
and folly. He pictured to himself what
he easily might have been, il he had
not bowed nll his life long at the
shrine of Mammon; and with this ideal
picture, he compared what he was, and
he shuddered' at the wide contrast.
My life has been terrible mis-
take" he confessed to himself "but,
thank heaven, have still little time
left; | will devote it TO making repara-
ton. Heaven helping me, shall so
act, that when | die some one shall
miss me-
As the first fruits of his good resolu-
ton, he built brisk fire. and replen-
ished it bountifully from his scanty
stock OF fuel. The old room fairly
danced in the cheerful blaze, and the
miser spread his chilled hands before
it with an air of satisfaction.
The morrow dawned. At the usual
hour, Peter set out on his collecting
tour.
Hitherto, he had been a most inexor-
able landlord. Woe betide the unlucky
tenant who failed TO have the rent
ready for him at the day and hour he
called; he was likely to receive small
mercy at Peters hands.
Such was the condition of Mrs. Mer-
Ger, a widow with one son, on whom he
first called. Her son had been in the
habit OF selling newspapers, and upon
this, more than upon the scanty amount
which his mother made by sewing,
| they half managed to live.
But fortnight before, Charlie Mer-
Ger had been taken sick-the sickness,
no doubt, being induced by exposure
in stormy weather. In consequence
of this misfortune. she was now two
dollars short Of the amount required
to meet her quarters rent. Knowing,
as she did Peters reputation, she pre-
pared TO meet him, with trepidation.
'He is a hard man." she said. Il
fear the worst"
But God can change even his heart,
mother" said her son.
Heaven grant it," she said fer
vently.
At this moment there was knock
visitor.
Il suppose you have come for the
rent?" said Mrs. Mercer
L OeHeNe tlls Is quarter uay, SAID
| Peter.
IL am very sorry that have not got
the whole of the money ready for YOU"
said the widow, nervously; "but my
boy has been sick for week past, and
that has diminished our earnings"
How much have you ready?" asked
Peter.
81 have it within two dollars" said
Mrs. Mercer.
IL can't take it," said Peter de-
cidedly
But" said Mrs. Mercer, misunder-
standing him, II will pay you the
other two dollars just as soon as / can
get it,.
"What does your boy dop"
Mrs. Mercer understood this ques-
ton TO be asked with the idea of en-
abling the landlord to Judge whether
there was any likelihood of his soon
| being able TO earn the money required
to make up the deficiency.
"He sells papers,
"Does he like the business?"
"Mrs. Mercer began TO be surprised.