Don't Despair

A nun was sitting at a window in her convent one day when she was handed a letter from home. Upon opening it a $10 bill dropped out.

She was most pleased at receiving the gift from her home folks, but as she read the letter her attention was distracted by the actions of a shabbily dressed stranger who was leaning against a post in front of the convent.

She couldn't get him off her mind and thinking that he might be in financial difficulties. She took the $10 bill and wrapped it in a piece of paper, on which she had written, "Don't despair, Sister Eulalia."

She threw it out of the window to him. He picked it up, read it, looked at her with a puzzled expression, tipped his hat and went off down the street.

The next day she was in her room saying her prayers when she was told that a man was at her door who insisted on seeing her.

She went down and found the shabbily dressed stranger waiting for her. Without saying a word he handed her a roll of bills.

When she asked what the bills were for he replied, "That's the fifty bucks you have coming. 'Don't Despair' paid 10-1."

[ Author unknown -- 'Twisted Straw' ]