Bertha's Christmas Vision: An Autumn SheafAlger, Horatio, Jr.
General
Bertha's Christmas Vision: An Autumn Sheaf
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
Children's poetry, American; Children's stories, American
“I saw you were looking at the oranges in that window. Now, I will buy
you a dozen, if you will let me help you carry them home.”
The purchase was made; and the merchant walked along, conversing with his
little conductor, who soon lost her timidity.
Arrived at the little girl’s home, he found that he had not been deceived
in his presentiments. It was the same room that he had seen pictured in
the mirror. The sick man was tossing uneasily in bed when Alice entered.
“See, papa,” said she, joyfully,—“see what nice oranges I have for you!
And here is the kind gentleman who gave them to me.”
The merchant, before he left the humble apartment, gave its occupants a
timely donation, and made New Year’s Day a day of thanksgiving.
Mr. Hathaway soon found himself at the residence of his friend Audley,
who gave him a warm welcome. “This is indeed kind,” said he. “The
friendship that adversity cannot interrupt is really valuable.”
Mr. Hathaway now introduced the object of his visit, asking, “What do you
mean to do with Arthur? He was nearly ready to go to college,—was he not?”
“He was; and this is one of the severest trials attending my reversed
circumstances, that I am compelled to disappoint his long-cherished wish
of obtaining a college education.”
“That must not be,” said Mr. Hathaway. “If you and Arthur will consent, I
will myself pay his charges through college.”
“Mr. Hathaway,” said Mr. Audley, in a glow of surprise and pleasure,
“this offer evinces a noble generosity on your part that I shall never
forget. You must let me tell Arthur the good news.”
Mr. Audley summoned his son, and, pointing to Mr. Hathaway, said, “This
gentleman has offered to send you to college at his own expense.”
The eyes of the youth lighted up; and he grasped the hand of his
benefactor, saying, simply, “Oh! if you but knew how happy you have made
me!”
“I do not deserve your thanks,” was the smiling reply. “I have learned
that to make others happy is the most direct way to secure my own
happiness.”
Mr. Hathaway took his way to the store. Arrived there, he sought out
Frank Durell, and requested him to step into his office, as he wished to
speak to him in private.
“Your salary is five hundred dollars a year, I believe?” said he.
“Yes, sir,” said Frank Durell, somewhat surprised.
“I have come to the conclusion that this is insufficient, and I shall
therefore advance it two hundred dollars; and, as a part of it may not be
unacceptable to you now, here are a hundred dollars that you may consider
an advance.”
“Sir,” said Frank Durell, hardly believing his senses, “you cannot
estimate the benefit I shall derive from this generosity. My mother, who
depends upon me for support, was about to be deprived of her furniture
by an extortionate creditor; but this timely gift—for I must consider it
so—will remove this terrible necessity. I thank you, sir, from my heart.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account