"Poor and miserable enough," answered Mrs.' Slade.

"We have just been taking up a collection for Mrs. Morgan. Here is
the money, Mrs. Slade--thirty dollars--we place it in your hands
for her benefit. Do with it, for her, as you may see best."

"Oh, gentlemen!" What a quick gleam went over the face of Mrs.
Slade. "I thank you, from my heart, in the name of that unhappy
one, for this act of true benevolence. To you the sacrifice has
been small, to her the benefit will be great indeed. A new life
will, I trust be commenced by her husband, and this timely aid
will be something to rest upon, until he can get into better
employment than he now has. Oh, gentlemen! let me urge on you, one
and all, to make common cause in favor of Joe Morgan. His purposes
are good now, he means to keep his promise to his dying child--
means to reform his life. Let good impulses that led to that act
of relief further prompt you to watch over him and, if you see him
about going astray, to lead him kindly back into the right path.
Never--oh' never encourage him to drink, but rather take the glass
from his hand, if his own appetite lead him aside and by all the
persuasive influence you possess, induce him to go out from the
place of temptation.

"Pardon my boldness in saying so much" added Mrs. Slade,
recollecting herself and coloring deeply as she did so "My
feelings have led me away."

And she took the money from the table where it had been placed,
and retired toward the door