Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-04-24

as he thought would interest her. Among others
was aremlnlscence by the editor-the same that we
have just given. The old mans voice faltered as
he read. The little incident SO feelingly describ-
ed, had long since been hidden in his memory. rn-
der the gathering dust of time. But now the dust
was swept away, and he saw his own beautiful
garden. He was in it, and among the flowers; and
Wlstfully looking through the fence stood the or
phan boy He remembered that he felt pity for
him, and he remembered as if it was but yester-
day, though thirty years had intervened, the light
that went over the child's face as he handed him a
few flowers that were to fade and wither in dav.
ies, the old mans voice fltered as he read: and
when ne came to the last sentence, the paper drop-
ped upon the floor, and clasping his hands togeth-
er, ne lifted his dim eyes upward, while his lps
moved in whispered words of thankfulness.
'What ails you, grandfather 2 asked Ellen, in
surprise. But the old man did not seem to hear
her voice.
Dear grandpa repeated the girl, "why do YOU
look so strangely! She had raised in bed and was
bending towards him.
'Elen, my child said the old man, light break
ing over his countenance as though a sunbeam had
suddenly come into the room, it was your old
grandfather who gave the flowers to that poor lit
tie boy. Did you hear what he said he would
divide his last morsel.'
The old man moved around the room with his
unsteady steps, talking in wandering way, so
overoyed at the prospect of relief for his child that
he was nearly beside himself But there vet lin
gered some embers of pride in his heart, and from
these the ashes were blown away, and they be-
came bright and glowing. The thought of asking
favor for the return of that little act which was
to him a pleasure, came with feeling of reluc-
tance. But when he looked at the pale young Girl
with eyes closed and her face half buried in the
pillow he murmured to himself. 1T is for you-
for you p and taking up his staff he went tottering
into the open air.
The editor was sitting in his Office, writing.
when he heard the door open, and turning, he saw
before him an old man with bent form and snowy
head. Something in the visitors countenance
struck him as familiar, but he did not recognize
him as one he had seen before
is Mr.. r in 2 inquired the old man.
MY name is T, replied the editor
You" There was slight expression of sur
prise in the old mans voice.
Yes am r, my FRIEND was kindly said.
Can do anything for you! Take the chair
The offered seat was accepted; and as the old
man sunk into it his countenance and manner be-
trayed his emotion.
Il have come and his voice was unsteady, 'to do
what could not do for myself alone. But can
not see my poor, sick grandchild wear out and die
under the weight of burdens that are too heavy to
be borne. For her sake, l have conquered my
pride
There was pause.
so on said T, who was looking at the old
man careessly, and endeavoring to fix his identity
in his mind.
'You don't know me?
Your face is not entirely strange said r.
1T must have been long time since we met
Long 1t is long, long time. You were a
boy and unbent by age
'Markland = exclaimed T, with sudden en-
ergy. Say, is it not so?'
MY name is Markland.'
'And do we thus meet again J! said T, with
emotion, as he grasped the old mans hand. 'Ah
sir, have never forgotten you. When sad-heart-
ed boy you spoke to me kindly, and the words COM
forted me when had no other comfort. The bunch
of flowers you gave me-you remember it, no
doubt-it is fresh In my heart. Not leaf has fa-
ded. They are as bright and green, and full of
perfume, as when first hid them there; and there
they will bloom forever-the unfading flowers of
gratitude. | am glad you have come though
grieved that your declining years are made heav-
ier by misfortune. | have enough and to spare
Il have not come for charity returned Markland
4 have hands that would not be idle, though it is
not much that they can accomplish.
BE not troubled on that account, my friend,' was
kindly answered. Il will find something for you
to do But first tell me about YOURSELF
Thus encouraged, the old man told his story
1t was the common story of the loss of property and
friends, and the approach of want with declining
years. r saw that pride and native indepen-
dence were still strong in Markand's bosom, feeble
as he was, and really unable to enter upon any Sc
rious employment; and his first impression was to
save his feelings at the time that he extended to
him entire and permanent relief. This he found
no difficulty in doing, and the old man was soon
after placed in situation where but little appca-
ton was necessary, while the income was all sutf-
cientfor the comfortable support of him and his
grandchild.
The flowers offered with purely humane feel
ing proved to be fadeless fowers and their beauty
and perfume came back to the sense of the giyer,
when all other flowers were dead and dying on
his dark and dreary way
Cultivating Orchards.