Friends and Neighbors | Page 6

that the toiling
seamstress or washerwoman can gain by her wearying labour. That, at
least, should be promptly paid. To withhold it an hour is to do, in many
cases, a great wrong."
For some minutes after this was said, there ensued a dead silence. I felt
that the thoughts of all were turned upon me as the one who had
withheld from poor Mrs. Blake the trifling sum due her for washing.
What my feelings were, it is impossible for me to describe; and
difficult for any one, never himself placed in so unpleasant a position,
to imagine.
My relief was great when the conversation flowed on again, and in
another channel; for I then perceived that suspicion did not rest upon
me. You may be sure that Mrs. Blake had her money before ten o'clock
on the next day, and that I never again fell into the error of neglecting,
for a single week, my poor washerwoman.

FORGIVE AND FORGET.

THERE'S a secret in living, if folks only knew; An Alchymy precious,
and golden, and true, More precious than "gold dust," though pure and
refined, For its mint is the heart, and its storehouse the mind; Do you
guess what I mean--for as true as I live That dear little secret's--forget
and forgive!
When hearts that have loved have grown cold and estranged, And looks
that beamed fondness are clouded and changed, And words hotly
spoken and grieved for with tears Have broken the trust and the
friendship of years-- Oh! think 'mid thy pride and thy secret regret, The
balm for the wound is--forgive and forget!
Yes! look in thy spirit, for love may return And kindle the embers that
still feebly burn; And let this true whisper breathe high in thy heart,
_'Tis better to love than thus suffer apart_--

Let the Past teach the Future more wisely than yet, For the friendship
that's true can forgive and forget.
And now, an adieu! if you list to my lay May each in your thoughts
bear my motto away, 'Tis a crude, simple ryhme, but its truth may
impart A joy to the gentle and loving of heart; And an end I would
claim far more practical yet In behalf of the Rhymer--_forgive and
forget!_

OWE NO MAN ANYTHING.

THUS says an Apostle; and if those who are able to "owe no man
anything" would fully observe this divine obligation, many, very many,
whom their want of punctuality now compels to live in violation of this
precept, would then faithfully and promptly render to every one their
just dues.
"What is the matter with you, George?" said Mrs. Allison to her
husband, as he paced the floor of their little sitting-room, with an
anxious, troubled expression of countenance.
"Oh! nothing of much consequence: only a little worry of business,"
replied Mr. Allison.
"But I know better than that, George. I know it is of consequence; you
are not apt to have such a long face for nothing. Come, tell me what it
is that troubles you. Have I not a right to share your griefs as well as
your joys?"
"Indeed, Ellen, it is nothing but business, I assure you; and as I am not
blessed with the most even temper in the world, it does not take much
you know to upset me: but you heard me speak of that job I was
building for Hillman?"
"Yes. I think you said it was to be five hundred dollars, did you not?"
"I did; and it was to have been cash as soon as done. Well, he took it
out two weeks ago; one week sooner than I promised it. I sent the bill
with it, expecting, of course, he would send me a check for the amount;
but I was disappointed. Having heard nothing from him since, I thought
I would call on him this morning, when, to my surprise, I was told he
had gone travelling with his wife and daughter, and would not be back
for six weeks or two months. I can't tell you how I felt when I was told
this."

"He is safe enough for it I suppose, isn't he, George?"
"Oh, yes; he is supposed to be worth about three hundred thousand. But
what good is that to me? I was looking over my books this afternoon,
and, including this five hundred, there is just fifteen hundred dollars
due me now, that I ought to have, but can't get it. To a man doing a
large business it would not be much; but to one with my limited means,
it is a good deal. And this is all in the hands of five individuals, any one
of whom could pay immediately, and feel not the least inconvenience
from