The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-05

mer'S faint query
I'm my sons study answered motherly
voice. you tainted on somebody's steps
and he brought you here
When able to sit up the minister himself
came in and kindly inquired into her case.
At first she was inclined to be reticent, but
his courteous interest soon melted the last
remnant of pride and reserve, and She
found herself telling him all her story.
"And this was the last resort" she said,
opening the tiny box which he had found in
her nerveless hand, and displaying worn
wedding ring and an old fashioned gold
brooch, handsomely set.
THE brooch was my mothers, my grand
mothers and my great grandmother's and I
intended it for Tina, my eldest daughter;
but I can't see them starve'
Then the gentle-faced woman brought a
light lunch and babe their guest eat it.
At the second bite, Mrs. Benton dropped
her fork: 81 can't, can't! Oh, my starv-
ing babes!"
Eat this; your children shall be cared
for" the minister made answer; and then
she fairly fell upon the delicate morsels-
despite her efforts to restrain herself-and
devoured the last crumb.
Perhaps you were never hungry" was
all her apology, as she handed up the serv-
er and smiled into the face of the white
haired woman.
For reply the latter dropped kiss upon
her forehead, saying:
Dear sister, there are worse pains than
those of hunger. Thank your Heavenly
Father that you still have your children un-
spotted by the world"
Then I have something to be thankful
for she said to herself, as, for a few mo-
ments, she was alone.
whats that?'' cried Glare suddenly, as
from the window she espied two men COM
ing up the path carrying huge basket.
The others crowded to see.
What can it mean?" said Bert.
1 NANNY never could have bought that"
said Tina.
"Mebby poppy sent EN- suggested
Glare, who sorely missed her father.
Tina opened the door.
1--WE were to leave these things at James
Benton's; is this the placer" one of the
men inquired, looking curiously about the
house.
Yes, sir''
Out onto the table they piled the contents
Of that basket-a chicken, a small ham.
some links Of sausage, half dozen loaves
of bread, tiny jar of butter, tea, sugar,
dried fruits, fresh fruits and "sundries.'
Ten minutes later, Mrs. Benton arrived,
and when she saw the supplies she sank
on her knees, saying reverently:
LET us pray
Awed, the children knelt around her and
a prayer of thanksgiving arose, as fervent
as had been the plea for help.
What a dinner they had, though poor,
faint Bert would only wait to eat a good
sized slice of bread and butter before he
went out to find Carl. The latter, poor
little fellow, had not earned a dime.
It was growing dusk before food for the
COW and a load of coal arrived
II walked out there" the young minister
told his mother at bedtime; Il could not
resist the temptation, and to look in at the
uncurtained window, and l came away re-
heating over and over: 1t is more blessed
to give than to receive and 1nasmuch as
We did it unto the least of these I'm hap
by and thankful tonight, mother. Tomorrow
we will interest our friends. Oh, that the
striker would stop to count the cost before
he goes into it"
James Benton came home few days
later, worn, ragged and penniless, but when
he learned what had been done for the
family, he cried out: Then all men are
not bad after all. I'm going to work to-
morrow if they'll let me- and he did, and
within "a hours others had followed his ex-
ample and the strike off.
lone wrong can never right another"
was the motto Tina worked, and her father
nailed it up in his shop, as he said, to keep
himself and the others from going on an
other strike. Once more the necessaries and
many Of the comforts of life are found in
his home and he has learned to "be content
with his wages."-Practical Farmer.