Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-06-03

each other through her face But his
eyes were honest and she trusted him.
"Sit down, John" she said, heartily
''The first thing for you to do is to eat
your supper.
She poured him out cup of tea. gave
him some bread and butter, and then
with a steady hand, cut the meatin two,
and gave him half. "1he rest is for my
husband" she exclaimed.
John ate like famished boy. When
he had finished, lie rose and took up his
hat. "Somc day." he said, grayely, "In
pay you for this meal"
Mrs Whitney laughed, but her lips
trembled. She felt a strange tenderness
for this poor human soul, struggling to
escape from the pit of ruin.
"What are you going to do now, my
boy?" she said, as he went to the door.
81 will get a Job on the farms or boats,
and SO work my way West"
"Wait one moment" She had but
little to give; pair Of old shoes, and a
well-patched coat of lacks.
81 wish it was MORE" she said, as she
put them into his arms. "Here is a book
that I've had since [ was a child Read
a little in it every day." 1t was a little
pocket Testament. "Good-by, and may
God bless you and keep you, SO that you
Will become GOOQ udn.I
John went to the gate, and then, turn
ing, came hastily back.
81 say I'm going to do my best,
ma am You'll hear from me some day."
he broke out, wringing her hand, and,
waving his ragged hat, was gone.
why - exclaimed lack, when he sat
down to supper, 81 thought this was
bigger piece of meat, Jane ?"
81 cut off my share" she said, dipping
her bread in her tea.
"You might have waited for me. [
hope you enjoyed it," said lack, irri-
tably.
"More than any meat I ever ate," his
wife answered, smiling.
Fifteen years passed Mrs. Whitney,
lett a widow, struggled bravely to sup
port and educate her boy But the vii
lage, which was out of the reach of any
railway, grew lonelier and poorer with
every year. Her house was mortgaged
heavily, and was sold at last; and Jane
found herself homeless and penniless.
She took service with a neighboring
farmer for herself and little lack. The
work was hard for both, and the pay
poor. She was now almoct an old wom-
an, and the failure of her hopes for her
boy had broken down both her strength
and courage
One day. as she came in from milking
with lack, she saw a man leaning on the
stile waiting for her He was roughly
dressed and looked like a farmer, but
one whose life was fuller and broader
than that of the farmers around her.
Plenty and generosity spoke in his laugh
ing eye and big breezy voice.
Mrs. Whitney?' he said, taking off
his hat "And little Zack pu
Jane set down her pals. 81 don't
think remember you, SIR" she said,
stiff1y.
No, an stranger in this part of
the country. / came from Missouri.
IN tell you my business in five minutes,
Mrs. Whitney. My wife wants to come
every summer to the sea-coast; it's
custom with us Westerners. She wants
to come to pleasant house kept by an
honest, good woman. l said to her, i
can manage that for you y"
He twisted his hat, laughed, grew red,
became incoherent. Mrs. Whitney
stared In amaZement.
Il don't understand you, sir" she
said
NO of course not. I explain myself
badly. But this is what [ did. When
your place was sold the other day l
bought 1t In your name. It's settled on
you, ma'am. It's yours, land, house
furniture and ALL Now 1 want you to 90
and occupy it, and take me and my wife
to board. What we pay you every
will enable YOU to send this boy
to school, and to live comfortably |
through the year. That's all of it.'
"A1! What do you mean? Who are |
you?" exclaimed Jane, beginning to
cry: "Why should you do this for
me? ?"
"Whyp' shouted the stranger.
Why? Because you saved my life,
ma am You were a mother to me at the |
of my life. | would have
gone to ruin if you had not believed my
story. You took the food from your
own mouth to give me. You cared for
ne, you blessed woman, and gave me
nope and courage. All am and have,
owe to you, under God. Don't you
remember John Dall?"
He drew out an old book, and gave it
% her. There is your own name in
t. You cast your bread upon the
waters that day, and if God gives me
strength it shall come to you again a
hundred fold -
And he fulfilled his promise. Youths
lfOnDHniOn