Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-03-21
Margaret's Test.

will not pass unheeded the cry of
the widow and orphan who call on
him for relief"
"You speak warmly, Margaret"
because | feel it. Ihave always
thought that a charitable man
would make a good husband"
"But how will you be able to
Judge of this? You are an heiress,
and of course have many suitors.
Do you not believe that any of them
would be willing to don a charita-
bic mood for a while, if they sup
posed that upon this issue depended
the hand of the wealthy heiress?"
Perhaps you. are right" said
Margaret, thoughtfully; "but," she
added, suddenly. IAN idea has just
come into my head, by which l
think this embarrassment can be
avoided"
"What is thatp" asked Olivia,
curiously.
"Let me confess, in the first place,
that among all who are generally
considered suitors for my hand, per-
haps fortune would be the more APP
propriate word, there are none
whom | would think of as o hus-
band except Herbert Lee and Henry
Ainsworth. The former, you know,
is wealthy, the latter a clerk de-
pendent on his income, which |
should Judge was not large. Now
| have mind to subject these two
to test"
"A good idea; but how will you
manage it?"
"You know there is poor family
in Allen street.-the one of whom
we heard to-day, consisting of a
widowed mother, who is sick, and
three young children. Now | am
going, anonymously, of course, to
recommend them to the charitable
offices of both Herbert Lee and
Henry Ainsworth, and we will see
the result. They will not recognize
your handwriting therefore l want
you to take pen and paper and
write note at my dictation."
Olivia procured writing materials,
and her cousin dictated as follows:
Dear Sir: Though stranger to
you, ! take the liberty Of calling
your attention to the case of a poor
family now living in single room
at Allen street, who in consequence
of the illness of the mother, who
has hitherto supported them by
plain sewing, are reduced to extreme
want. A little aid at this time
would be to them like the visit of
an angel from heaven. Will you
extend itP At least call upon them,
and you will be convinced that this
is but a simple statement Of the
truth.
Charity"
The note was copied, and de-
spatched through the post-office to
the address of both gentlemen.
Perhaps three days afterwards
Herbert Lee called at Margaret's
residence. Margaret adroitly led
the conversation to objects of char
ity and charitable institutions.
"Ah," said Lee, that reminds me
of an odd circumstance. l received
a letter the other day, recommend
ing to my notice poor family in
Allen street. 1t was signed Chari-
ty, and very earnestly advised me
to go and see them"
"And did you gop" asked Mar
garet, quickly.
mot I!' was the laughing reply.
II haven't time to waste in hunting
up all the destitute families in the
city. Ishould have my hands full. !"
"But the family may be suffering
from want"
"If they are, Charity would be in
better business in relieving them
himself than in sending anonymous
letters of advice to others"
Would Herbet Lee have laughed
so merrily if he had known the
effect of his want of feeling on her
whom he was most anxious to
please.
81 think after ALL" said Margaret,
when Herbert had withdrawn, "that
/ must 60 and see Mrs. Green my
self. If Henry Ainsworth is no
more charitable than Herbert, she
will fare hard"
The ladies arrayed themselves
for walk. A few minutes brought
them to the residence of the poor
widow of whom they were in search.
To their surprise, they found, on
being admitted, that a cheerful
fire was glowing in the stove, while
pleasant smell of dinner filled the
apartment. On table by the side
of the widow were some medicines.
The hearth was brushed up, and