Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-11-15
From the City Item
A Pretty Little story.

~ "CAsr thy bread upon the waters, and
after many days it will return to thee;"-
this is Scripture truth, which, like all
truth, has been verified thousand times.
The following little story may serve to
illustrate the verify Of this text. Allow
me to promise that my story is true one
in all particulars
Some thirty years since a lad of one Of
our Eastern States about ten years old,
was sent by his employer to carry bask-
e, heavily laden with wares, to purch-
aser,-whilst staggering under its weight
up somewhat steep hill, gentleman Of
about thirty years proifered his assistance,
and beguiled the tediousness of the way by
pleasant anecdote, good advice, and kind
words. They parted-ffteen years pass
ed away-the senior of these two, now
nearly fifty years Of age, sat in his study
Enthusiastically countenance, and heavy
heart. His door opened, and his young
and fascinating daughter, just blooming in
to .woman-hood, entered TO announce that
gentleman, an old gentleman, desired to
see her father, and do you my child leave
Us to ourselves She obeyed. The old
gentleman entered-sWell SIR was his
salutaticn-'hays you considered my pro-
position 4 have-and have determined,
happen what may, l will not force or sway,
by any act of mine, the will of my child.
She shall be left to her own free choice
Then, Sir, tomorrow, by 3 o'clock, your
property must 60 into the hands Of the
Sheriff, unless you find some friend to pay
the twenty thousand dollars This he
said with sheer, and coldly bowling he
left the house. The poor fathers heart
was racked. ! am a beggart my daugh-
ter is homeless,-I have no friend to offer
assistance in this hour of my severest trial.
In the midst of these bitter reflections,
again his daughter entered, introducing a
gentleman Of some twenty-eight years OF
age-a stranger. Am l in the presence
Of Mr.. G?' was his opening remark
which being afiirmatively answered, he
continued by saying-that he was sue
cessful merchant from New York-had
heard of the misfortunes of Mr.. G., and
had come on purpose to ask the amount of
his liabilities, that he might loan the me-
cessary funds to relieve his wants. Nor
was he shocked at the mention of the large
amount Of twenty thousand dollars. He
handed him his check which was duly
honored-the father was once more hap
py man-his daughter was not houseless-
he had found some friend to pay, despite
the sneer of his hard hearted creditor.
But, pray, Sir said the agitated father,
sto what am l indebted for this unusual
this munifcent kindness, from an entire
stranger ?'-' Perhaps you have forg otten,
was the reply, that some eighteen years
since, yon aided friendless boy of ten
years Of age, to carry his loaded basket up
the hill, that you gave him good advice,
and kindly words. am that boy. have
followed your advice-I have lived hon
'estly-I have gained wealth, and now, af-
ter many years, have come to return to
you, kind sir, the bread which then you
cast SO freely upon the waters
It is said, gentle reader, that our young
friend caught a glimpse of a beautiful girl
Of nineteen as he passed through the entry,
and that he called again, and still again,
and won at last the heart of the old man 5
daughter-I say this is said-and Iknow
it is truly said.