Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-07-27
MISCEII4AN
A GOOD LIFT.
THE UPS AND Downs OF LIFE.
CHAPTER I
m GEORGE W. BuNeAy.

THE MAGNANIMOUS MERCHANT.
Boston Common is classical ground-and its
thrilling history is not the only reason why for
eigners az we'll as our fellow citizens make it a
place of frequent resort It is handsomely locat-,
ed, just where fhe lungs of the city ought to be,
and il has been laid out with exquisite taste. The
gravel lwalks-the green patches of sod-the um-
bragoons trees 1.-The magnificent fountain-the
variety of vale and hill-ali contribute to make it
the pleasantest promenade ground in this COM
monwealth, or country. Wei. one May morning,
while idlitarians and dyspeptics were out health
hunting, and domesties were drawing willow Wag-
on loads Of young patricians in pnafores over the
smoothe paths, an incident occurred which ought
not to be forgotten like a dream, nor confined
merely to the memories of those who witnessed it.
AS usual, here and there were groups of men
engaged in carpets. Cnrpets are like mortals !;
they are first admired, then put down-then trod-
den uponthe beaten undl their dust goes to
dust. That bright and blessed morning, every
thing seemed to be full of fsnstructon-even the
stfees were silent teachers, for their branches
pointed upward to the land of living spirits, and
their roots pointed downward to the world OF dead
bodies. On their boughs here and there might
have been seen deserted birds nests, emblems of
forsaken hearts. These castles in the air were
filled with faded leaves. Life, beauty and the
stirring voice ofsong had departed, JOY and hope
quit the hearts, when the unrelenting winter OF
adyersity sweeps away our promising prospects.
Among the BUSY bustling multitude, moving like
aliving river through the common at the time of
which write, was a fair-haired boy, with dark
dreamy eyes, and cherry cheeks. The poor boy
was probably fourteen years of age. His patched
garments were scrupulousiy clean-showing pos
tive proof that he had tidy mother at home, who
spared neither soap nor Chochituate to keep clean
the clothes of her brave and beautiful boy. Al
though he wore an old chip hat, his hair was
brushed smoothe as the wing of a robin, and his
complexion was SO clear you might almost have
seen the blood circulating through the delicately
penciled veins. 80 .e< -. =.
The boy was, evidently, industrious, for he was
tben staggering under a bundle of goods which
be was carrying to the Providence depot, for some
coantrypan who had made a purchase Of few
articles fdr faily use, and who had employed this
young GKpfessfnarl Ito tdeliver it to the baggage
master. being tired. he removed the bundle from
bis shoulder and placed itcarefully it on bench
near group Of frollicking boys, who were anus
ina themselEea by rolling marbles When the
lad had wiped the prespration from his glowing
face, she rnodestly and politely requested one O
sehe boys 70 lend him helping hand in raising
the bpndse from the benohto his shoulder. The
boy TO whom he spoke, was the only son of one o
fhg Wsalehiest families in the Pilgrim city and hi
speke ta him because he recognized him as
scAool4fnase and claasmate, n.%r. 81