The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-10-14
systematic charity was fraud and

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matter. In no possible way could
she picture herself up north having
q good time while her dear old friend
pined away in:the poorhouse. Must
she give up her vacation?
While she was dressing 1or break
fast the next morning she kept up a
running fire of talk with herself. ST
know what I'll do" said Margaret.
'T'n give the old lady the time of
her life. She shall live in peace in
her little home. I'll take her out
driving. I'll take tea with her ev-
cry evening on her little porch, and
I'll have my vacation. Of course it
won't be what I planned, but what
o joy to make her happy! How
could I rebel? I am going to be the
happiest woman this summer that
have ever BEEN"
In this way Margaret cheered her
self up and met her new conditions
bravely.
She went first to Mr.. Emery, paid
him months rent in advance and
told him friends would pay the rent
aftc- this, which assurance he ac-
cepted without any questioning.
When Margaret took the little old
woman in her arms that morning
and told her it was all fixed, that
she was to live undisturbed in her
home, the poor creature wept for
joy:
'T knew you would fix it all right
with the Associated Charities peo-
pie, bless them. They shall have
my things when 1 am gone, and that
Will make it up to them"
Margaret did not undeceive her,
knowing it would grieve her should
she know the true source Of the re-
prieve.
The last days Of August were
great drain on the old lady's
strength. She got weaker and weak
er until she could only smile at Mar
garet's stories as she lay in bed, full
Of joy and peace. One evening just
as the sun set in all its glory, filing
the little room with wonderful ra-
dance, Margaret put back the cur
tains, lifted up the fraj' li::tle figure
for. last glance at the flowers, SO
dearly loved, c1d with sigh and
faint whisper to Margaret, what
happy summer she had enjoyed.
the gentle spirit passed on to those
realms where poorhopses are un-
known.
The few pieces Of furniture were
sold and barely suficed to meet the
expenses of the modest funeral. At
the open grave, rourd which were
gathered few neighbors, there was
one woman who had no regrets, and
her tears were tears Of Joy.
About. two weeks after the funer-
al Margaret received q card stating
that the board of directors of the
Associated Charities would meet
that afternoon to transact some spe-
cial business.
After the regular routine busi-
ness was over the secretary stated
she had q letter to read the associa-
tion from old Mrs. Raeburn, who
had recently died. The letter had
been given Mr.. Emery to be read to
the association after her death. It
was as follows:
Dear FriendR-You have been 80 kind to
q poor old woman. If you will sell the
piano 1t will pay you back the money. but
the kind. generous spirit you have shown
can never ta repaid by me. God will do
that. am 80 happy. Yours gratefully.
NANCY RAEBURN.
"Why, what's this ?" said the pres
ident. GIVE certainly didn't pay out
money for rent, did we, Mrs. Mrs Secre-
tary?" The secretary said ''No."
"Well, Mr.. Emery, you owned the
house, | believe. Can YOU explain
it?'
Mr.. Emery got up very slowly to
his feet.
Gall I know about it is that Miss
Driscoll paid the rent"
"Miss Driscoll % echoed the pres
ident. But Margaret was on her
feet now, all her heart in herieyes.
"We will not discuss this, if you
please, Mrs. President" said the girl
as she took up the bit of paper rev
erently and pressed it to her lips.
ssThis is my vacation"
Among the directors that after
noon was Arthur Sutro, the new
manager Of the great mills at Plain
vile. When he left the meeting ne
said to himself, "What magnifi-
cent womanp Arthur Sutro never
lost sight Of a good thing, and he
5wooed his magnificent woman"
with all the ardor and passion Of
his virile manhood.
Margaret lived to. enjoy nanY va-
cations, protected by loving careaQd
surrounded by all the beauty har
heart craved, hut she. often says as
,ahe sits ON her porch in the gloaIn-
ing, with her husband close bestae
HER that her happiest vacation was
spent on Efrs. Raeburn's por6h
49, H1flt y6xx.a ,.S<,. @,,r lf1As,an. =: