Fabiola : or, The church of the catacombs - Digital Repository Services

'
Mother 1'riik'et and I nrr very Ul
i ill
Udiiigs; for passim; iiy
.ong, and 1 am grieved
any service we. could render II
of l.'tie I neicr hear the
J IH 1. 1(1 11,
to see thee so sorrowful. Is there
'Truly it discs mine heart, to hear thy kind words; we mv in-
deed, in sore affliction, hut Hum canst not assist us.' Tl
wom-iii then proceeded to relate that they had a son. who, with
his wile and a largo family, resided at a neighboring farm; he
had unfortunately contracted a delit which he was unable to pay,
and he had come to his parents to see if they could help him;
for the term allowed for repayment would expire in another
month, when, if he were unable to answer the demands of the
money-lenders, he would be arrested and his goods would bo
sold, and his wife and children would with him lose their only
support.
It was hard indeed for the poor people to be obliged
to tell
their sou that it was not in their power to assist him; but they
could not say otherwise, for although their labor sulliced to support
themselves, they were totally unable to supply the large sum
he required; he had therefore departed with a heavy heart, leav-
inir the good couple no less afilietcd.
Catherine listened with interest to the sorrowful tale, and
expressed her sympathy with them. On returning home she
communicated the tidings to Bridget.
od .Master Andrew has much money of mine,' she said,
after she had pictured to Widow O'Reilly the distress of their
friends in the wood, '
and what need have I of it? I have a happy
home; thou dost not let me want for anything; suppose I were
to ask Master Andrew to allow me to give those poor people the
sum they require? '
1 Thou hast a generous heart, my child,' replied the old woman,
'
but thou must take counsel with Master Andrew he will know
;
better than I whether this be advisable or not.'
She went accordingly, on the following day, to the clothier,
who was not a little surprised when she asked, in her usual sim-
ple manner, whether she might take out of the money which belonged
to her a sum which amounted to well-nigh half her little
capital. Andrew raised his eyes from the large account-book
over which he was poring, and looked at her in bewilderment,
while his worthy dame gave an exclamation of surprise.
'
Kate, thou must tell me why thou wantest so large a sum; if
it is necessary for thee, thou kuowest I shall not refuse it; but
if I judge it not to be for thy weal, I cannot, as thy guardian,
agree to thy taking it,' said the old man.
Catherine named the purpose to which she desired to apply it.
'
I commend thy charity, and am well pleased with thee; but
melhinks this might be done without touching thy capital, which
we men of business hold to be an evil practice,' replied Master
Andrew gravely. 'I will not deprive thee of the merit of this
good deed, especially as the man who has incurred this debt is,
I know, the industrious father of a large family; but to buy a
small farm he borrowed money from one of those Jews, all of
whom are extortioners; and the crops of late having failed, he is
i in
great straits. I heard all this from one who lives near
him. Now this is what I propose; that I lend thee the money,
for which I shall not require interest, and that by degrees thou
shall pay me back half the sum; the other half I give as charity
on my own account. The repaying of the amount thou borrowest
will entail on thee, Kate, much industry, and the denial of many
things which thou mightest otherwise have afforded thyself.
Art. thou willing
to do this? '
I mil,' replied Catherine earnestly, 'and am most thankful
for thiskiud offer; with God's help I will repay thee ere thisday
'
year.
Andrew opened a drawer and counted out the money
to her;
nn:l receiving which she returned joyously home, and related to
.Mother Bridget the arrangement of her good friend.
Early the next, mornin