The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-11
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
THE INVALID.

| THE INVALID.
The steamship, westward bound, is fixing
and Kissing in hot impatience for the tlnkle
of the captains bell which shall warn the
engineer to let her 60 on her watery way;
and the good natured traveller, void of bust
ness cares, and only looking forward to ia
vorable passage, PAGES the deck IN b light ex-
pectancy or views the parting OF friends and
relatives about him with sympathetic feeling.
His soul at peace with all the world, his heart
wide open to receive the visitations Of the
needy. He is not long without guest.
His attention is at once attracted by poor
attenuated invalid, who, dragging his sickly
form along with the aid Of stick, takes a
seat near him. The traveller has found a
vent for his feeling disposition. He APP
proaches the disease-worn man, and with an
air Of kindly curiosity, inquiries the nature OF
his case. A deep drawn sigh, fetched up
from the very bottom OF his boots, precludes
the answer of the I" sick 'un."
Oh, coed sir, (twitch) feel bad-real
bad-real (twitch) bad have been ailng
for many day, but (twitch) but now, in
deed, | (twitch) know am nigh done with
the world, (twi,ch, twitch and moan.)
The humane traveller is touched to the
very quick.
Consumption, sir :"
"Yes, the (violent twitch) last STAGE"
(twtch, spasm and groan.)
A tear moistens the eye Of the feeling trav-
eler as he bends forward and asks with an
air of deep interest
Pray, sir, why do you venture on
voyage;"
Why, sir, (twitch) wished to 60 to my
friends (eXcrutating twtch) that may lay
my bones where ] am KNOWN" horrible
witch
"And where may that be, sir :"
"At Detroit, sir-but, ali, fear | lawful
twitch) cannot (twitch) accom- - (Which,
twitch) -plish my end"
Why so, STIFF may make bold to
ask: :"
Here the invalid hangs his head and fetches
another of those intense signs, practlsed only
by blacksmith's bellows; then blubberng
out in the soitness of his nature, says, in
choking accents
"l have lost all my money, and my poor
sister and | are without the means of reach
ing our friends" 0witch, sqlirm and sob.)
How did you lose your money, friend -
Was robbed" sobs out the heart broken
invalid, have nothing left but an old family
gold watch, which (twitch) should hate to
sell-but SUPPOSE (Which, twitch)
Here the traveller was relieved. lie saw
he could do good, and with IA benevolent air
he asked:
"How much do you want will lend
you until you reach your friends"
Joy ecstatic-paradse realized-the IN
valid looks gratitude, but has not power OF
utterance, He draws forth the family gold
watch, and placing it, chain and all, in the
hands Of bis benelactor, says:
E'Best of men--lend me fifteen dollars
keep that precious relic for security, its value
is $3.50, not including the chain, and when
we reach Detroit we will return you money
and thanks. Oh, bless you-bless you,
Nwitch and violent cough.)
The traveller pulls forth his wallet and
hands the suffering man, on the verge OF
eternity, $50, being five more than he asked
for He hears his thanks, he sees him 60
to woman who is seated with her back to
him and speak to her. No doubt that is the
sister, he has told her his good fortune. The
poor invalid is relieved and the benevolent
traveller is truly happy.
In due time they reached Detroit. Dur
ing the voyage the tIavcle! has not seen the
poor invalid, and fearing he is II, goes to the
woman and inquiries for him. Horror! She
denies having brother. IT'S true, sickly
man did speak to her, but it was only to re-
mark on the fitness of the weather.
Like unto stuck pig fell the bewIldered
traveller A few more inquiries informed
him that the invalid had walked the plank
at Buffalo before they started The watch
the old gold watcIl-is, by a sneering
jeweIer, pronounced copper, gold washed!
The traveller swears praye or two against
all invalids. But had he been at the eastern
train in Buffalo the very evening he started
for Detroit, he would have had at least the
satiaction Of seeing that very same incura-
bic inraHd, lending very similar " family
gold watch" for the use of any number Of
dollars his distresses could extract from the
sympathies of greenish Christians.
We have it IN our power to announce that
the invalid is still alive; and as to those
family god watches, he has few more left
Of the same sort.