The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-08-30
THE OLD SOLDIER,
by II. HASTINGS WELD.

The generosily--if generosity consist
in deferriog benefit until the recipien
is pas, the enjoyment of tor justice,
if Justice consists in Withholding the vel.
.ersn's dues I'LL he is ready TO 60 dowr
TO the grave, generosity or jusIice---cslI
ii whs. you will, we can cal il neither
had atlast awarded with pension, al
infrm old mani The burden Of old agp
and hope deferred, had made him sick
of life. The death film was even now
messurably drawn over the eye, onct
sparkling; the pace, which was once
firm and con6dent in the strength o.
youth and the pride of patriotism, had
become irregular and toIlering; and The
manly lorm, once erect and command
ing, was bowed down-age ard suffer,
ing had done il. He was a stranger in
the metropolis; in6rmly and neglecl
had broken down his body, but his Splr.
ii could better sustain itself; and bit
ter sense of neglect had kept him in
solitude. lie would not offer a living
comparison between The men who have
p6led by The achievement, without ex
erlion OF their own. The conscious vic
tim Of cruel neglect aud ingratilude, he
considered the tsrdy justice of his coun
try mockery, and uought but his sb-
ject poverty, end wish to die
square with the world,' had induced
him 10 apply for it.
And now said he,I will pay my
debts--and die
The change Of objects in the city be-
wi'dered him. He gszsd upon the
.spacions aud elegant edI6ces which had
10 his absence superseded old and fam
iliar objects but he gazed with hurried
uncertain glances, as if doubling his
senses. The busting forms Of gener.
alton who have forgotten the Revolu.
lion, fitted past hun wllhou! needing
him; The pensioner was alone in the CT
ty! Amazed that the Iaspe of time had
wrought such wonders, he felt Ike a
stranger in aslrange land, and that, too
on The very soil he had defended
His venerable appearance attracted
the notice Of a passer by, who perceiv.
ed the old man was bewidered tender.
ed his services 10 conduct him home.
'Home! | hava no home. | was a
home here in '76--bul | am forgotten
,nowi'
A transient glesm OF anger flashed
from The veterans eye-bul in a mo,
smenl it passed away, and the vacancy
Of his counlenance returned.
w here am l.? Oh! have been TO
take The gift of Cougress--lel me 60 and
pay my debts before die
The gis!-here again his eye wa,
lighled--and his bearing spoke the proud
end wounded spiril-troken, but MOI
subdued. An honest feeling of indig-
nation mastered him; striving, as if
strong in The pride OF youth, TO avoid
the unleelisg and imperlioenl curiously
of the crowd who surrounded him, he
sunk exhausted on the pavement.
Take him 10 The police o6ice far a
0agrant? said one of the crowd.
take yourself of for an unfeeIneI
brule!' said the honest fellow who had
addressed the veteran. 'Bup Icatching
him by The collar as he essayed to walk
away--'sIop fist and give The old man,
pocket book! saw you take it-hand
over, or l'II tear you limb from
limbp
Throttle him. cried one of the
crowd--'a scoundreI! rob pensionerp
'Iake him to the police!' and the oldIl
mans wallet fell from the culpril in toe
scufile.
The pensioner was recognized b,
some one IN the crowd, and he passive.
ly suffered himself to be put into coach.
lie was conveyed 10 a shelter. and hav
ing happily fallen into good hands at.
tenllon for couple Of days partially re.
stored bis exhausted energies. An in
distinct remembrance Of he events W,
have narrated fucd occasionally across
his mind. hut he remembered the even>
oil '76 better than those of yesterday,
and the cOuntensnce Of those who hadIr
been his companions in arms were NOR,
distinctly marked in his memory, thar
the new ehes he had seen The day be.
fore. When about 10 be put on board
the stage TO be convey ed home his mind :
agaln wandered.
'tThararighr--carry me 10 Congres,
give me my due. have fought for
II! Congress said should have it!' The I
old mans wallet was put into his hand.
'Ob, yes, J knew should get i,'lhe, c
could mot so soon lorgel The old soldier II
but so late Ie'--me pay my debts and d
die! ! can live no Ionger! But some. q
body stole i,--lhty gol it away from
mn tbay nnulJu't ,Io A Gr,, ,,,.,, ... Il .