The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-06
The notary heard of it and was stirred

eff only Alice had something" he
said to Sister Theodosia, whom he met
one day at sick bed; for the good Sis
ter of Charity spent her time in tending
the sick without compensation. eff only
Alice had some small property she might
come to the relief of her poor relation"
"And has she not?' asked Sister Theo-
dosia.
Nothing that I know of beyond the
house, and upon that there is mortgage
to nearly its full value"
"But her father upon his deathbed told
me that she was provided for"
"Did he, indeed?" asked the notary,
surprised. ''Did he say anything more?
"No. he was unable to; but he pointed
to the floor. l am afraid he was out of
his head and meant nothing"
"Stop! have an idea" said the no.
tary suddenly. Can you leave for a
few minutes and go with me to the cot
tagef'
Eyes, l can be spared for half an
hour said Sister Theodosia.
Together they went to the cottage,
which CHANGED to be close by.
"Now,' said the notary, when they
were once inside, ''to what part of the
floor did N. Moritz point? Can you re-
MEMBER
There" said the sister.
every well; we will soon see whether
there is anything in my idea"
The notary procured Ratchet, and
succeeded after time in raising plank
of the floor, Sister Theodosia looking on
meanwhile, with surprise.
But her surprise was increased when,
on the plank being raised, box was dis
covered underneath.
Help me lift it" said the notary.
With the aid of the Ratchet he removed
the cover of the box, and the two uttered
an exclamation of surprise when under
meath they found large collection of
gold coins. On the top was placed a
sheet of note paper, on which were writ
ten these words, in the handwriting of
the deceased:
The gold in this box represents the savings Of
many years. 1t is for my daughter, Alice For
her sake have lived frugally, and hope it may
save her from want when l am gone.
HECTOR NORTH.
Glow much is there?" asked Sister
Theodosia.
"There are two hundred and fifty
napoleons. These make five thousand
francs. Truly, M. Moritz must have been
frugal to save so much"
"Then little Alice is an heiress," said
Sister Theodosia.
SIT is as you say"
81 am very glad. Now she can pay
her board to that poor NJ. Corbet, and he
will lose nothing by his kindness"
Il will go tonight and tell him."
The poor shoemaker was still sick, and
his money had wholly given out, SO that
the family had had no supper.
81 am sorry you are sick, my friend"
said the notary.
YES" said the poor shoemaker, sigh
ing; sit is unfortunate"
Il think you were not wise in taking
an additional burden when you had SO
many children already"
81 am not sorry. Alice is always well
come to all that we can give her."
"Then you are not sorry you have
taken her?'
''No; but am sorry fell sick. The
poor child has had no supper"
"Nor any of you, 1 SUPPOSE"
"NOr any of U.s."
an. Corbet, you are a good man and
truly charitable. But have good news
for you"
Good news? Well, it could never
come at better time"
"You thought Alice was poor"
"And is she not?"
"On the contrary. she is an heiress."
"What do you mean?"
''Her father left 5000 francs for her
fortune"
SIS that true?' asked the shoemaker
and his wife, bewildered.
Eyes; and therefore it is only fitting
that she should pay her board. How
long has she been here?"
-Four months"
Seventeen weeks. Now, as her faith
er's executor, am going to allow you
eight francs week and you shall under
take to provide her with a home and
clothing. For seventeen weeks, then,
that she has been here I owe you 1876
francs. pay it to you at once"
"But it is too much" said M. Corbet,
surveying the gold with stupefaction, for
he had never seen as much before.
SIT is right"
EWo GRO covodr, cold he xx,;fo 4l.l-
fully. Il will go out and buy some
bread. Children, you shall have some
supper"
AT this there was shout of Joy from
the children, and tears of gratitude flowed
down the cheeks of the poor shoemaker,
who pointed to Alice, and said:
"She has brought me good fortune"
Before the money was half expended
the shoemaker had recovered, and went
to work again. The eight francs week
he received for Alice proved a great help
to him, small as it may seem to my read
ers, and enabled him to afford more COM
forts than before.
From that time M. Corbet prospered,
and was even able to save up money, and
all through his unselfish kindness to the
little Alice, through whom he believes
good fortune has come TO him and his
Horatio Alger, Jr., in Yankee Blade.
The Great African Forest.
In SANKEY'S report to the British Gov
eminent in regard to his expedition for
the relief of Emin Pasha, he speaks as
follows of the discovery of an immense
forest: I'VE can prove that east and
north and northeast of the Congo there