The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-22
THE OLD SOLDIER.
by II. HASTINGS WELD.

He had been to the Pension Ofiice.-The gener-
osity, if generosity consists in deferring benefit until
the recipient is past the enjoyment OF tor the JUS
tice of Justice consists in Withholding the veterans
due till he ready go downto the grave generosi-
ty or justice-cat what you WILL can COLL it nei-
ther) had at last awarded him spenson.An infirm
old man! The burden of old age and hope deferred
had made him sick at heart and sick of life. The
death film was even ncasurably drawn over
the eve once sparkling; the pace which was once
firm and confident in the strength OF youth, and the
pride of patriotism, had become the irregular and
totterng; and the manly form once erect and COM
lmanding, was bowed down-age and suffering had
done it. He was a stranger in the metropolls-ln-
irmy and neglect could break down his body, but
his spirit could better sustain itself; and bitter
sense of the neglect he had suffered from those who
should have remembered him, had kept him in SOL
itude lie would not offer living comparison be-
tween the men who have proited by the achieve
ment without excrton Of their own.-The conscious
victim of cruel neglect and ngrattude, he consid-
cred the tar,ly Justice of his country mockery, and
nought but his abject poverty and a wish to die
square with the world had induced him to apply
for it, lie had applied and received and now,
said he, Il will pay my debts,-nnd die The
change of objects in the city bewildcred him. He
cazcd upon the spacious and elegant edifces which
had in his absence superseded old and familiar OBJ
iects-but he gazed with hurried and uncertain
clanccs as if doubling his senses. The busting
forms of generation who have forgotten the revo-
luton, fitted past him without needing him--the
pensioner was alone in the city Amazed that the
lapse of time had wrought such wonders, Inc felt
like a stranger in strange land and that too, on
the very soil he had defended.
! His venerable appearance attracted the notice OF
a passcr by, who perceving the old man be-
wildercd rendered his services to conduct the sol
der homc.-' Home | have no home. | was al
1 home here in '76, but l am forgotten nowW A
transient glance Of anger flashed III the veterans
cye-but in moment 1t passed away, and the va
cancy of his countenance returned. Where am i
Oh have been to take the gif Of Congress, let me
60 pay my debts before l die. The gift here
again his eyes was lightcd-and his bearing spoke
the proud and wounded spirit, brokcn-but not SUBJ
dued. An honest feeling of indignation mastered
him; striving, as if strong in the pride of youth to
avoid the uneeling aud mpertinen curiosity OF the
crowd who surrounded him, he sank exhausted 10
the pavement.
Take him to the Police Office for a rdgrdnt ?
said one of the crowd.
\ Take yourself off, for an unfecling brute ! said
the honest fellow who addressed the veteran. But,
Catching him by the collar as he cssayed to walk
awav) stop first and give me the old mans pocket
book saw YOU take it-haud over, or I'll teal
YOU limb from limb Throttle him. cried one o
the crowd, a scoundrcl rob pcnsoner! T! 'tDowr
with him y Strip him. Take him to the Police !
and the old mans wallet fell from the cuprit in th'
scutlle.
r The pcnsiouer was recognized by some one II
E the crowd, and he passively suffered himself TO b'
put in coach. lie was conveyed 20 a shelter, an'
having happily fallen into good hands, attention 70
couple of days, partially restored his exhausted
: energies. An ndstinct remembrance of the event.
we have narrated fitted occasionally across his mind
but he remembered the events of &c better thar
those Of Yesterday and countenanccs OF those wh'
had becu his companions IN arms were moro dis
. tinctly marked in his memory, than the new one
he had seen the day before.-When about to he pu
on board the stage to be conveyed home the oil
mans niud again wandered. That's right carr
me To Ccngress-give me my due, have fought TO
v. 4 r...~-ess -aid should have II The old man