"Good morning, Mr. Craigin; hope I don't intrude; keep right on with your work. I can talk to you just as well while you're busy, and better, too," and the brisk little woman who uttered these words drew a dilapidated, flag-bottomed chair to the fire, and seated herself without waiting for an invitation.
Mr. Craigin, I blush to say it, was washing dishes,—for what business had a strong man, six feet high, to be doing work which some poor, needy woman would have been glad to do for him? Truth to tell, he blushed a little for himself; not because he was doing work which was out of his sphere, but because Miss Piper had caught him at it.
He therefore hastily removed the long, blue apron, which covered him from chin to boots, dropped it on the floor, and kicked it under the table, and with a glum "good morning, ma'am," deposited his lank frame in a rocking-chair, opposite his guest.
"I'm out on a little begging expedition, this morning," chirped Miss Piper; "and as the object is one you'll be sure to approve this time, I've come to you among the very first.
"You know the last time I called, it was for foreign missions, and you said you didn't approve of foreign missions, you thought folks had better look out for the heathen at their own doors. Well, now this is for the heathen at our own doors, for if Mike Walsh and his wife aint heathen, I don't know who is. He and she both drink and quarrel like bedlamites, and the children just roam the streets and get into all the mischief there is going, from week's end to week's end."
"And what do you propose to do about it?" asked Mr. Craigin.
"What I want is to get the children into the Sabbath-school."
"The Sabbath-school is free to all, isn't it?" said Mr. Craigin.
"Yes; but then they want something to wear, you know. It would be awkward for them to go there in their old duds, when all the rest of the children are dressed in their best, wouldn't it, now? You may call it pride, but it seems to me a justifiable pride; and besides, Mr. Craigin, there's a kind of respect due to the house of God."
"That's all true enough, ma'am. I've nothing to say against it; but what I do say is this, that Mike Walsh is abundantly able to provide his children with clothes, and send them to Sunday-school if he wants to."
"He dosen't want to, and that's the trouble; but that isn't the children's fault, poor things."
"I suppose, now," continued Mr. Craigin, "there are a number of men poorer than Mike Walsh that do dress up their children, and send them to Sunday-school?"
"Oh, to be sure there are; there's the little Todds, six of them, as tidy little girls and boys as comes into the meeting-house; and the little Perkinses, there's eight of them, and bright as a dollar, every one! And the little Colbys, I haven't counted them, lately, but there's a new one every time I do count," and Miss Piper laughed merrily as she said this; "the more the better, though, bless their little curly pates. And I could name ever so many besides, that are there every Sunday as regular as the day comes—ornaments to the school, too—and their parents poor, hard-working people, that don't do much more than make both ends meet."
"And the Todds, and the Perkinses, and the Colbys, you don't give them any help, I suppose?"
"Not the slightest."
"They are good people,—the parents,—if I understand you aright?"
"I guess they are; none better."
"Then it seems to me that the best way for a man to commend himself to the favor of this community, is to get drunk and steal, and break the ten commandments generally."
Miss Piper, who had rushed blindfold into the net spread for her, had no answer ready, and Mr. Craigin continued,—
"Yes, ma'am, I repeat it, when you leave your good people to shirk for themselves and help Mike Walsh and his like, you are setting a premium on vice."
"But it's the children we're thinking of," said Miss Piper, recovering the use of her tongue; "they oughtn't to be let suffer on their parents' account."
"That sounds plausible, and it's the kind of talk that influences a good many people, but it's all bosh, ma'am, bosh! Just let it be understood that society will assume all the responsibilities a man chooses to shirk, and the good-for-naughts will shirk the whole of them. It's this principle that fills our charitable asylums, and overruns the streets with beggars. Now my theory is, let every man look out for himself, and take the consequences of his own actions. If this theory was carried, how different things would be."
"They would, indeed," murmured Miss Piper. Then rising, she added, "So you don't care to give me anything to-day?"
"Nothing," said Mr. Craigin, shutting his lips tightly, and buttoning his vest as if Miss Piper had been a pickpocket, as he bowed her out of the door.
The house nearest Mr. Craigin's albeit it was not very near, for Mr. Craigin lived on a by-road, was that very Mr. Colby's of whom mention was made in the foregoing conversation.
Miss Piper was passing it, not intending to call, but it chanced that he was out digging potatoes, and seeing her hurrying by, cried cheerily,—
"Whither away so fast? On some good errand, I'll be bound."
"Why, yes, I hope so; I'm trying to pick up a little something for the Walsh children. I want to fit them out for Sunday-school."
"Then you're just the woman I want to see," said Mr. Colby, standing his hoe upright by thrusting the handle into the soft mould, and coming forward to the fence. "So you wasn't going to call, hey? I should like to know what I've done to be so slighted."
"Well, I did think, Mr. Colby, that you had about as much as you could attend to in your own family, and it would be an imposition to ask you to do for others."
"Now I look at it differently. I calculate that all I do for others will benefit my own children in the end."
"I don't know I see that, Mr. Colby," said Miss Piper.
"Why, isn't it for the advantage of my children to keep good company?"
"Of course it is."
"Well, the boys and girls that are growing up with them will be their companions, anyhow; they'll play together, and go to school together, and by-and-by they'll vote together, and manage the town affairs together, so isn't it for my interest to do all I can for the rising generation?"
"I believe you've proved your case, Mr. Colby."
"It didn't take much of an argument to prove that; if there's anything plain it is that the community can't afford to have vice and crime growing up in their midst, any more than I can afford to have my garden overrun with weeds. Train up the children in the way they should go, and there'll be no need of prisons and poor-houses."
And Mr. Colby took from his pocket a well-worn wallet, and handed Miss Piper a dollar bill. "I guess I'll make it two, though," he said. "I feel like making a thank-offering this morning."
"Then you've had some special good luck. I'm glad to hear it," said Miss Piper.
"Yes, we've got another little one in the house; the handsomest one we've had yet."
"Ah? And this makes how many?"
"Only nine living. We've buried two," said Mr. Colby, with a mournful intonation.
"Well, I hope this one will live to be as great a blessing as you deserve it should be," said Miss Piper, fervently. "Good-by; it's done me good, this talk with you has."
It had indeed answered for her some doubts which Mr Craigin's remarks had occasioned, and as she walked away these words kept running through her mind:—
"The community can't afford to have vice and crime growing up in their midst." "Train up the children in the way they should go, and there'll be no need of prisons and poor-houses."
To follow Miss Piper on her charitable round is not my purpose, but rather to show these two men—Mr. Craigin and Mr. Colby—in contrast.
Craigin had the reputation of being a miser. He scarcely allowed himself the necessaries of life; and that he never gave a cent towards any benevolent object whatever, were well-known facts. He took no part in town affairs, excepting to oppose all measures which involved the outlay of money, and to vote against the men who upheld them. He would sooner have seen the hangman coming to his door than the town assessor, and to pay his taxes was like giving up the ghost.
Mr. Colby was, as we have seen, a family man, but this circumstance, as we have also seen, instead of serving as a pretext for refusing to help others, seemed only to widen the channels of his benevolence. To him came the poor, the sorrowing, the suffering. Yes, and the sinning, too, and none ever appealed to him in vain.
The young sought counsel of him. He had no opportunity, and probably no talent, for great deeds, and was little heard of abroad, but the results of his influence and example were simply incalculable.
He was sometimes admonished that by giving so freely he ran the risk of impoverishing himself. "Oh, no, it only makes me richer," he would say.
So he lived his simple life, and in due time was gathered to his fathers, leaving behind him sons and daughters who revered his memory and walked in his footsteps.
Mr. Craigin died alone in his house, and was found some days after by the butcher, as he went his morning rounds.
Search was made by the proper authorities and a will found; it directed that all the property of the deceased—several thousand dollars—should be expended in a monument for himself.
The first thing the stranger sees on entering Beechwood Cemetery is that costly monument towering above all others.
"One of your distinguished men lies there, I suppose," he remarks.
"He never was distinguished for anything but his meanness," is the reply. "That's old Craigin, the miser."
Then follows an account of his worthless life and lonely death, so that the tall monument only serves to commemorate faults which might otherwise have been forgotten.
A short distance from this monument is a lowly grave with a slate headstone, but there is a path to this grave worn by many feet, and from the earliest spring snowdrop to the earliest November snow, there are always flowers lying upon it. No need to ask who lies buried there, for the information is always volunteered,—"Israel Colby, a better man never walked our streets; when he died the town mourned for him as for a father."
"I almost wonder a more imposing monument was not erected to him."
"It was talked of, but his wife said, 'No; it would not have been his wish;' and after all, the most fitting monument to such a man is the memory he leaves behind."—Ruth Chester in Youth's Companion.
The Home Circle.
A SERMON IN RHYME.
If you have a friend worth loving,
Love him. Yes, and let him know
That you love him, ere life's evening
Tinge his brow with sunset glow.
Why should good words ne'er be said
Of a friend—till he is dead!
If you hear a song that thrills you,
Sung by any child of song,
Praise it. Do not let the singer
Wait deserved praises long.
Why should one who thrills your heart
Lack the joy you may impart?
If you hear a prayer that moves you,
By its humble, pleading tone,
Join it. Do not let the seeker
Bow before his God alone.
Why should not your brother share
The strength of "two or three" in prayer?
If you see the hot tears falling
From a brother's weeping eyes,
Share them. And, by kindly sharing,
Own your kinship with the skies.
Why should any one be glad
When a brother's heart is sad?
If a silvery laugh goes rippling
Through the sunshine on his face,
Share it. 'Tis the wise man's saying—
For both grief and joy a place.
There's health and goodness in the mirth
In which an honest laugh has birth.
If your work is made more easy
By a friendly, helping hand,
Say so. Speak out brave and truly,
Ere the darkness veil the land.
Should a brother workman dear
Falter for a word of cheer?
Scatter thus your seeds of kindness,
All enriching as you go—
Leave them. Trust the Harvest Giver,
He will make each seed to grow,
So, until its happy end,
Your life shall never lack a friend.
BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM.
By John Harvey Kellogg
Institution Founded 1866......4000 Patients Successfully Treated.
THIS INSTITUTION, for completeness of appointment, and extent of facilities, is unrivalled in this country. Its splendid arrangements for HEATING AND VENTILATION, together with special appliances for regulating the humidity of the atmosphere, makes this Institution UNEQUALED AS A WINTER RESORT FOR CHRONIC INVALIDS.
Even persons suffering with pulmonary difficulties do much better here than in Florida.
All known useful remedies for disease are employed, including Turkish, Russian, Vapor, Electro-Thermal, Electro-Vapor, all kinds of Water Baths, Sun Baths, Swedish Movements, Electricity, etc., etc.
Terms very reasonable, J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., Medical Superintendent.
Address for Circulars:—SANITARIUM, Battle Creek, Mich.
ITEMS OF NEWS.
—The war in Buenos Ayres has ended.
—A heavy earthquake has visited Switzerland.
—A mill company at East Douglass, Mass., lost $130,000 by fire.
—A fire at Pensacola, Fla., July 5, burned a block, valued at $75,000.
—The hot weather continues in New York, and great mortality is the result.
—The papers record a large number of fatal accidents on the 4th of July.
—Recent reports of Chinese victories over the Russians are contradicted by the latter.
—A $150,000 fire occurred at Tyrone, Pa., July 8; about fifty buildings were burned.
—A Prince Demidoff gambled away at Madrid $1,600,000 in one night. Nothing lost nor gained.
—Russia made overtures to Portugal and Japan for aid in case of war with China, but it was refused.
—The famine fever is still spreading in Ireland. The peasants are arming, and trouble is expected.
—A San Francisco boy of 12 years committed suicide by poisoning, to avoid going to Berkeley school.
—Mail from the Corwin has been received. Behring Strait was still closed, and no news from the Jeannette.
—The loss to Illinois farmers by the overflow of the Mississippi near Quincy, is estimated at half a million dollars.
—A disease called "black knot" has attacked grapevines in California. It is said to prevail quite extensively.
—A heavy rain storm in central Iowa the night of July 7, detained trains on the Rock Island Road about fifteen hours.
—Detroit, Mich., prohibited fire crackers and all powder explosives, on the 4th. No accidents, and the citizens were pleased.
—Recent examination of the Nicaragua route show that the distance and cost of a canal may be materially reduced from former estimates.
—The Clearing House transactions for the first half year of 1880 show that San Francisco is the only city which shows a decline in business.
—Russia has just dispatched the sixth cruiser to the Pacific, and it is said she intends to send six more. Will they cross the Pacific after coming to our coast?
—It seems to be settled that an English company will take and finish the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Dominion giving a bonus of 60,000,000 acres of land.
—The New York Evening Post says it has reliable information that lying reports of failures of crops in the West, are being made up and circulated to influence the market.
—Crop prospects in France are reported good, except probable deficiency in wheat. Prospects in northern Prussia, Hungary, and Russia, indicate a great deficiency.
—The Indians of the Wesqually and Puyallup Reservations in Washington Territory, are discussing the question of petitioning to become citizens and take homesteads.
—In a fire in San Francisco, the night of July 5, a falling building engulfed the firemen. Six men were taken out, all alive, and it is not certainly known if any were left.
—John Bright, in his argument in the case of Bradlaugh, said that the lower classes of England believe the teachings of Christianity as little as the higher classes practice them.
—During a thunder storm in Yreka, Siskiyou Co., Cal., the night of July 5, a cloud burst, the falling water tearing the ground twenty feet deep, doing considerable damage.
—The coroner's jury at St. Paul's, Minn., have found that the owner of the boat which exploded its boiler with fatal effect, is criminally liable. The boiler was not considered safe.
—The S. F. Alta foots up the losses and injuries to persons and property, and concludes that it is not profitable to the city to celebrate the 4th of July by the noise and burning of powder.
—A large number of officers in French cities have resigned rather than enforce the decrees against the Jesuits, and the French Republic congratulates the government on having so easily got rid of so many disloyal officials.
—The taking of the census shows that Vermont has lost in population so that she will lose in her representation in Congress. Of the large cities Pittsburg, Pa., shows the greatest relative increase, it being 90 per cent. in ten years.
—Kearney has felt the effects of training desperadoes. On Sunday, 4th, the mob turned upon him at the sand lots, and he was taken from the ground under the protection of about 40 policemen, who only saved him from violence by the most strenuous efforts.
—The San Francisco Alta believes that the population of that city has been considerably larger than the census shows it to be at present, and attributes the decrease to the Kearney excitement which has depressed business, stopped building, driven away capital, and compelled laborers to seek employment in other fields.
—There is now in Europe a general expectation of war between Turkey and Greece, as the former does not accept the decision of the Berlin Conference; and the general opinion is that war means the disruption of Turkey. Then for the spoils, and what next?
—The weather all over Ireland has been most favorable. It is expected that the potato crop will be enormous. It promises to exceed anything seen in Ireland since the period anterior to the famine of 1847. The root and cereal crops are also luxuriant.
—The total amount of the world's public indebtedness is somewhere between $20,000,000,000 and $30,000,000,000. All this vast amount of debt has been created within the present century, and all nations are rapidly increasing their indebtedness except the United States.
—At Minneapolis, Minn., July 3, was celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of the discovery of St. Anthony's Falls, by Father Hennepin. Gen. Sherman, Secretary Ramsey, Hon. E. B. Washburne, and other eminent men were present. Gen. Sherman said he was glad gold was not discovered there—the wheat fields are better.
—The Turkish Sultan and the Ministers have determined not to accept the recommendations of the Berlin Conference. Mahomed Nadirm Pasha, now identified with the English party, was the only Minister who counseled acceptance. A strong party is in favor of sending an immediate declaration of war to Athens, if the Greeks effect any military concentration on the frontier.
—At the village of Troy Mills, Linn Co., Iowa, a fourth-of-July fight occurred in which over 300 persons engaged. The origin of the difficulty dates back several years to voting a railroad tax. It began by the marshal of the day striking a man for insulting a woman, and the blow was the signal for a free fight lasting two hours, in which every serviceable weapon was used. The result was that four men were probably fatally wounded, and the serious injury of twenty-five others. The Irish element were the aggressors and were badly worsted. The best citizens of Troy Mills participated.
GOOD HEALTH.
By Editor
FOR 1880.
THIS POPULAR JOURNAL enters upon its fifteenth volume with the most flattering prospects not only of a continuance of the prosperity which has attended it in the past, but also of a great increase of patronage, although it already enjoys
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY HEALTH JOURNAL IN AMERICA.
The interest of the journal for 1880 will be greatly increased by a series of practical articles from the well-known pens of
ELDER AND MRS. WHITE.
Whose contributions in the past have done so much to increase the popularity and the usefulness of the journal.
A SPLENDID PREMIUM BOOK
Is offered to new subscribers. Address, for specimen copy:—
GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING CO.,
Battle Creek, Mich.
Or:—SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Oakland, Cal.
RURAL HEALTH RETREAT.
THIS INSTITUTION is located about two and a half miles from St. Helena, Napa County, California, at the
CRYSTAL SPRINGS.
The water is clear, pure and cool. The facilities for heating water, and bathing, are unsurpassed. The situation is both pleasant and healthy, it being about 300 feet above the valley. The scenery is unsurpassed for beauty, including a view of valley and mountain. The building is spacious, and the table accommodations are first-class.
The institution is just opened.
The medical department is under direction of E. J. Waggoner, M. D., who has had experience in practice in the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich.
Those who seek medical treatment under favorable and health-giving conditions, and those who seek a pleasant resort from the heat and business of the city, cannot fail to be pleased at the Retreat.
Terms reasonable. For particulars address
A. B. ATWOOD, ST. HELENA, CAL.
