VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 538, 19 January 1882, Page 2

VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD.

There is nothing so noble and touching as a really spontaneous act of generosity after all. The other day a rough careless-looking stranger was walking up Mission street, near Sixth, when he observed a lot of hoodlums clustered round the gate of a small farm-house, in front of which a poor woman was weeping bitterly, surrounded by her terrified children. A scanty array of household goods on the pavement showed that it was a case of ejectment “ What are you abusing that woman for ?” demanded the “man from below,” addressing an ill-favored individual who was carrying out the furniture. “ I ain’t abusing that woman,” growled the landlord. “She can’t pay her rent, and I’m going to bounce the whole outfit, that’s all.” “ I’ve a good mind to bounce you,” said the stranger, indignantly. “ What’s the amount she owes you?” “Twenty-two dollars.” “ Here, take it out of that,” and the angry man took out his wallet and handed over a hundred dols. greenback. The evictor respectfully turned over a receipt and the change. Forcing an additional “V” on the happy woman, the stranger walked rapidly away. “ ’Centric cuss, that,” said the houseowner, looking after the philanthropist amusingly. But the philanthropist said nothing until he turned the corner* when he murmured sadly to himself, as he put on a little more pedestrian steam, “It’s no use talking—virtue is its own reward. I couldn’t have got such another chance to work off that counterfeit in a yean”