A Small Kindness

Mauy years ago, when sewing machines were in their infancy, if indeed they had been invented, a little elderly bachelor entered the parlor of his boarding house and in a way peculiar to himself made this request: "Which of you ladieswill hem a conpie of handkerchiefs for me?" There was a well bred sniff of disapproval, but not one assenting voice. The only one that broke the silence recommended him to take the handkerchiefs to a searnstress who attended to such work. "It's pretty lonesome to have nc vromen folk belongingto you, " said the old bachelor, "but I guess I can get along. Thank you, ladies, for yeur kindness, ' ' and he bowed himself out. At the same moment a timid hand detained him, and a low voice said in his ear: "Leave them with me. I - I will see that they are hemniod neatly. I have a friend who will do them - for company. " "Take them," said the old bacheloi grnffly; "much obliged, I'msure. " She was a gentlewoman, althougb she sewed for a living, as all women did iu that day who did uot teach school. She replied not to jeers of her oompanions when she sat in the parlor at her work, except to say that it was a small thing to do for a fellow being. "But he is a iniser, " they persisted. Nevertheless the handkerchiefs were hemmed and returned to the owner, who did not offer to pay for them, but did within tbo year marry the gentle soul who hemmed them. The thereafter of their married life reads liko a fairy story. Both have passed away from the prosperity which surrouuded thera, bnt in the heart of the city of Boston there is a marble block that was built vith the accumulated interest of the fortune bequeathed to their son, who ia no other than Montgomerv Sears, the millionaire. This