Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-06-16

@"e - RAYENNA, OHTO WEDNEsDA Il il gNE

'@Dahghter, Catharine, is it you,% child
| Are you alone?o >.~,s.' ', :1<>,s>.~
"No, not alone, grandfather, friend il
/ with n1e."Z r'a<s7EE1 49, s. T. - 2
/ SAY, a f;sesad,'' muttered the mser, 50
friend to pry and peer around" then he
added in loud tone, wait a bit, child and ]
will let you in. - eEss<5 Z .=...s. : ::
Feeling his way to the fire place, he
managed toilight a smalltallew; candle and
then slowly and reluctantly, it would seem,
tunlocked the. door. : Edward and Catha-
rine entered Iheir garments white with
snow their cheeks glowing from the keen
air, and almost breathless under the exer-
ton necessary to force their way thro' the
driving storm. Throwing down his sailor
cap, and shaking the wet from the dark
locks which clustered around his brow the
former exclaimed: " r
'sA bitter night this my good sir, and by
my faith," [glancing, as he spoke, at the
cherries fire-place,l .syou seem but poor
ly provided to meet it.''
"Ah poor folks must learn to bear all
weathers,'' replied the old man, in whin-
ing tone, sswood is scarce-very scarce"
"Why, grandfather" cried Catherine,
''no fire, and such cold evening as this?
Let me kindle some for you at once. Dear
me you must be perishing!" and she clasp
ed the cold, clammy hand Of the miser be.
tween her own.
''No, no, child; no fire to-night,'' hastily
answered the old man, sit is late; no fire,
it would be wasteful. Wood is scarce. very
scarce" =.a
''But see, grandfather, what have bro't
you," and Catharine lifted the cover of the
basket; ''now do let Edward make a fire,
and | will warm these oysters for you, they
will be so nice.''
Edward, however, without waiting for
permission, had already seized hold upon
the scanty supply of fuel, so carefully
boarded in one corner, and raked open the
embers. Urged by the breath Of the sailor,
a bright blaze was already wreathing up
the backened chimney.
"Wa Waste-waste!" groaned the old man,
wringing his hands, and eyeing keenly the
proceedings of the young people; s'not
stick left for the poor old man. Ruin
ruin! All blazing and wood so scarce.''
''Come, come, mess mate" said Edward,
throwing handful of silver upon the ta-
BILE, don't be down hearted; there is some
thing to buy warmth and food for to-mor-
row. So cheer up, and enjoy what is be-
fore you tonight"
"Good young man, exclaimed the mi
ser, his eyes gloating over the treasure,
excellent young man." and sweeping it
up he eagerly grasped it in his thin tremb-
ling hand.
In the meantime Catharine had carefully
washed the little stew pan, and placed the
oysters to simmer over the fire, then 60
ing to the table she proceeded to unpack
her basket of delicates.
'Look grandfather, here are some bis
mother loved so well.'' The old man
groaned. s'Then here is butter, yes, and
why, where is the jelley? Oh, here it
is; this will help your cough, but here
here, grandfather is something from over
the sea- And looking at Edward as she
spoke, she drew forth the fragrant store
one by one, and placed them upon the ia
bic.
"Ah, good, very good,'' and the miser
smiled, and counting over the tempting
oranges and pines, muttering as he did So.
six cents, twelve, twenty-five cents-ah,
good, very good.'' Thursting the money,
which his eager hand still grasped, into
his pocket, he hastily snatched up the
fruit tottering to a cupboard, placed it with.
in, and quickly locked the door, as if fear
ing it might otherwise be eaten. He par
took but sparely Of the supper which the
kindness of his grandchild had provided,
seeming to begrude himself even Of the
luxury which cost him nothing. 1t was
now growing late and at length Edward
and Catharine arose to depart.
:Good night, grandfather, cried the lat.
ter, pressing her rosy lip to his hollow
cheek. ''Good night; now do keep com.
Portable to night, do.''
"Good night, sir,'' said Edward, extend
ing his hand. The miser pressed it tight
/ ly between his own, and whispered:
"'Good young man; wood is very scarce;
have you triAe more to give poor ole
man?"
Although surprised and somewhat dis
gusted, Edward placed in his hand golc
coin, and without again speaking, the low
ers left he house. -..-. .--.
No sooner was the door closed than the
old man firmly locked and bolted it. Their
holding up the gold between his skinny
fingers, he eagerly sought to ascertain it'
amount. Laying it down, he next drew
forth the silver from his pocket, and pro
ceeded to examine piece by piece their val
ue. "Aye, all good Spanish coin! a waste
full youth. But doubt whether they cal
be good weight-youth is careless. An'
fumbling in his bosom he produced smal
pair of silver scales, and weighed eacl
piece with keen accuracy.
What a picture did thot miserable oil
man present! The shades Of death alread
falling around hin-the hue of the gray
already settled upon his wasted features
, bending with such trembling earnestnes
over that pitiful dross, and watching wit
: strained eager eye, the equpoise of that Ii
r tie scale.
, His sordid hopes were realized not
piece Of that shining heap was wanting
d weight, and chuckling with delight the m
ser once more greedily counted over h
unexpected gains; then going to the be-