The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1890-12-27
gelett gtorg.
THE EVEILEDMIRROR

l. He Olu year WIS last uIdNlnS W Il ClOSe
But few hours and the advent of its sue
cessor would be hailed by merry shouts ant
joyful gratulations, mingling with the merry
chime of bells ringing out a noisy welcome
from church towers and steeples.
Adam Hathaway, a wealthy merchant
sat in his counting room, striking a balance
between his gains and losses for the yeal
which had nearly passed. From the smile
that lighted up his countenance as he drew
near the end of his task, it might safely be
inferred that the result proved satisfactory
He at length threw down his pen after
footing up the last column, and exclaimed
joyfully:
Give thousand dollars net gain in one
year. That will do very well-very well
indeed. If | am as well prospered in the
year to come, it will indeed be Happy
New Year
His meditations were interrupted by a
knock at the door, and he saw standing be.
fore him a man of ordinary appearance
bearing under his arm something, the nature
of which he could not conjecture, wrapped
up in brown paper.
"Mr. Hathaway, l believer was the
strangers salutation.
"You are correct"
"Perhaps, if not particularly engaged
you will allow me few minutes CONVEX
sation with you? ?"
eyes, certainly" was the surprised reply;
''though am at a loss to conjecture what
can have brought you here"
"You are wealthy man, Mr.. Hathaway,
and every year increases your possessions.
May ask what is your object in accumu-
lating so much property"
''This is very singular question, sir,
said the merchant, who began to entertain
doubts as to his visitors sanity, Every sin
gular. | suppose 1 am influenced by the
same motives that actuate other men-the
necessity of providing for my physical
wants and so contribute to my happiness. y
"And this contents you? But your
gains are not all devoted to this purpose
This last year, for example, the overplus
has amounted to five thousand dollars"
81 know not where you have gained
your information" said Mr.. Hathaway, in
surprise. However, you are right"
"And what do you intend to do with
this ?"
"You are somewhat free with your ques
tions, sir. However, l have no objection
in answering you. l shall lay it up"
''For what purpose? [ need not tel
you that money, in itself, is of no value
1t is only the representative of value.
Why, then, do you allow it to remain idle?'
"How, then, should | employ it !
have comfortable house well furnished
should | purchase one more expensive
My table is we'll provided-should l live
more luxuriously? My wardrobe is wei
supplied--shouldI l dress more expensively?'
''To those questions answer no. But
it does not follow, because you have gooC
house, comfortable clothing and wei
supplied table, that others are equally well
provided. Have you thought to give o.
your abundance to those who are needy
to promote your own happiness by advanc.
ing that of others p
~ must confess that this is duty which
! have neglected. But there are almshouses
and benevolent societies. There cannot bt
much misery that escapes their notice,
said Mr.. Hathaway.
"You shall judge for yourself"
The stranger commenced unwrappins
the package which he carried under hi.
arm. 1t was small mirror, with vel
hanging before it. He slowly withdrew
| tl,o vol opJ cold ttT nnl- Iii
A change passed over the face of tn,
mirror. Mr.. Hathaway, as he looked at i
intently, found that it reflected small
room, scantily furnished, while faint fir,
flickered in the crate. Abed stood in ont
corner ef the room, on which reposed
sick man. By the side of it sat woman
with thin shawl over her shoulders, bus
lily plying her needle. An infant boy LAY
in cradle not far off, which little girl
called Alice, whose wasted form and feature
spoke of want and privation, was rocking
to sleep.
"Would you hear what they are saying?'
asked the stranger.
The merchant nodded acquiescence
Immediately there came to his ear tn
confused noise of voices, from which h
soon distinguished that of the sick mar
who asked for some food.
ave have none in the house." said hi
wife. "But shall soon get this worl
finished, and then shall be able to ge
some.'
The husband groaned: "Oh, that
should be obliged to remain idle on sic
bed, when / might be earning money fC
you and the children. The doctor say
that, now the fever has gone, 1 need notl
ing but nourishing food to raise me u
again. But, alas | see no means {
procuring it. Would that some rich mai
out of his abundance, would supply m
with but trife from his board. 70 hin
it would be nothing-to me everything.
The scene vanished, and gradually anotl
er formed itself upon the surface of ii
mirror.
1t was small room, neatly, but not e.
pensively, furnished. There were two o.
cupants-a man of middle age, and yout
of bright intellectual countenance whicl
, at present, seemed overspread with an a
of detection.
Mr.. Hathaway, to his surprise, recot
nized in the gentleman, Mark Audley,