Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-04-12

Il olAtCl 1--WE d0hCQ kGullCuldnlJ
looking man as he stepped into the
grocery and general store of the vii
lage.e
"Old John Painter?" said the
young clerk after a moments hesita-
ton. as that who you mean? He
is such an old money-grubber that no
one ever speaks of him as anything
but old John Painter. Yes, he lives
in the big house at the end of the
street. will show you," and he led
the stranger to the door to point out
a large white farmhouse just at the
edge of the village.
HE is rich, am told" said the
stranger rather questioningly
"Rich as mud" responded the
youth. 'He owns about 1000 acres
of land and nobody knows how much
money he has besides. He's a regu-
lar old miser, though his folks live
well enough"
The stranger walked down the
grassy street to the big house and
presently stated his errand to Mr..
Painter. That gentleman frowned a
little as the guest stated his request
briefly, and said: Hugh Peterson
promised me he never would tell. I
don't like boys who break their
pledges"
but he didn't break his pledge"
said the stranger eagerly. ''He has
been very i'll and while delirious he
told about your kindness to him. He
does not know l am here to-day, but
/ wanted to ask little aid for our
college. 1t is struggling affair, but
we have tried to make a place for
poor boys to work their way along.
A little help would enable a dozen of
our brightest students to come back
next fall, and I am very anxious to
obtain assistance for them. l thought
If you had done so much for Hugh
you might like to help other lads"
Il will help you if my name is not
mentioned" said Mr.. Painter, putting
out his check book. II have had my
eye on that boy that clerks in the viii
lage store for some time, for think
he deserves help. He is a clean, hon.
est, manly fellow and is trying to
work in vacations to help himself
through college. Put his name on
your list and try to get him into your
school, will your"
s The president of the little college
made it his business to stroll back to
the store and enter into conversation
once more with the young clerk He
wanted to see if he were worth edu-
eating" as he always said when asked
why he cultivated the acquaintance
of young men. Trade was dull, so he
had ample time to make up his mind
as they talked together.
$50 Mr.. Painter is regarded as a
miser by the village people, is he?"
inquired the stranger after bringing
the conversation around to the old
inhabitants of the place. HE must
be very selfish"
He wouldn't cheat a SOUL" said
the boy quickly. People have fallen
into the habit of calling him a mise1
until the name sticks"
Never does anything for any.
body?" went on the stranger.
Why, yes, he has brought up three
orphan boys since l can remember,
and they are doing first rate. He
pays his debts, helps along with the
church work and is good citi.
zen, but folks seem to think he
ought to keep up everything. Come
to think of it, / believe they've i'm
posed on him so much that he is
little close with his money"
rs that the reason they call him
money-grubber?" said the visitor,
who had heard the term several times
since he entered the village.
Il suppose it must be, but it isn't
fair. He doesn't own a thing that he
didn't get together by hard work and
good management, so they have no
reason for calling him names. I'm
ashamed of myself for saying that to
you this morning about an old gen.
tleman."
1T is manly of you to say that"
said the visitor, rising to go. Never
be afraid to own that you may be mis-
taken in your opinions.
The young clerk wondered why he
received so many letters and circulars
from a certain college, and at last he
decided to go there, as the terms
seemed very reasonable. He resigned
his place in the store, and was one of
a group of new students waiting in
the Office of the president one fine
September morning. He gave little
start to see the man who had talked
to him early in the spring about John
Painter come into the room, but was
still more astonished to see him take
the chair at the desk and begin to
take the names of the pupils.
You are James Reed" said the
president, smiling. II may tell you
that the reason we were able to make
such low rates to you is that Mr..
John Painter, of your town, has es-
tablished fund for worthy students,
and especially wished you to benefit
thereby. l am glad to welcome you
to our college"
if'And / told you he was a money
grubber," said the boy, regretfully.
II am ashamed to take his help"
Have you called him that name
since the day talked with you last
summer"
mo, but that does not excuse me.
/ was merely repeating what other
folks called him then, but 1 should
have used my common sense. =
Mr. Painter selected you as
clean, worthy youth, and you can do
nothing better than to show him you
appreciate his great kindness He
has been helping people all his life,
but he does it so quietly that no one
suspects. l really think he takes
more solid satisfaction out of life
than any one / know, for he is al
ways bringing joy and gladness to
some life. am glad to have him
call me his friend"
{ James Reed thought of the plainly
dressed old gentleman in his native
village, little stopped from hard