Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-31

"what has brought you here 7"
The poor man twice attempted to speak,
but his heart failed him.
"Do you come for charity ?"
"No, sir" quickly returned wilkins,
while his eyes cleaned with proud light.
"Then sit down and out with it." said
Walker, in blunt but kind tone.
Captain Walker" commenced the
poor man, as he took the profered seat,
az have come to ask you if Epu still own
that little cottage beyond the hill"
"I do"
"And is it occnpied ?"
ono"
"Is it engaged ?"
"No," returned the captain, regarding
his visitor with uncommon interest "but
why do you ask 2"
"Captain " Walker" said Wilkins, in a
firm and manly tone, even though his eyes
glistened and his lips quivered, II have
been poor and degraded, deeply stepped
in the dregs of poverty and disgrace
Everything that makes life valuable, 1
have almost lost My wife and children
have sutherland God only knows how
keenly! l have long wandered in the
path of sin. One after another, the ten
der cords of friendship that used to bind
me to the world have snapped asunder !;
my name has been but a foul blot. But,
sir, from henceforth. | am mani Up
from the depths ofits long grave dragged
forth my heart, and love still has its home
therein. I have sworn to touch the fatal
cup no more and in my heart there is
no lie. My wife and children shall suffer
no more for the sins they never commit
ted. l have seen my old employer, at
the machine shop, and he has even been
kind enough to give me an order in ad-
vance for necessary articles of clothing,
food and furniture. Tomorrow morning
[ commence work"
"And you come to see if you could OBJ
tain your cottage back again to live in, y
said Captain Walker, as Wilkins hesita-
ted.
"Yes, sir to SEQ if I could hire it OF
you," returned the poor man.
Wilkins, how much can you make at
your business ?" bluntly asked the old
captain, without seeming to heed the re-
quest.
"My employer is going to put me on
ljob-work, sir; and as soon as [ get my
hand in, can easily make from twelve
to fourteen dollars week"
"And how much will it take to sup
port your family 7"
GAS soon as get cleared up, I can
easily get along with six or seven dollars
a week"
"Then you might be able to save a.
bout four hundred dollars year."
III mean to do that, SIR"
A few moments Captain Walker gaxed
into the face of his visitor, and then he
asked!
Have you pledged yourself YETI
Before God and in my heart, [ have
but one of my errands here was to get
you to write me a pledge, and have il
made to my wife and children
Capt Walker sat down to his table
and wrote out the required pledge, and
then, in trembling, but bold hand, Tho
Wilkins signed it.
wilkins said the old man, as he took
his visitor by the hand, Il have watched
we'll your countenance, and weighed your
: words. kmoa0 you speak the truth
When I bought the cottage from your
creditors six years ago, I paid them one
thousand dollars for it. 1t has not been
harmed, and is as good as it was then
Most of the time | have received good
rent for it. Now, sir, you shall have il
for just what I paid for it, and each
month you shall pay me such a sum as
you can comfortably spare, till it is al
paid. l will ask you for no rent, nor fol
a cent of interest. You shall have deed
of the estate, and in return will take but
single note and mortgage, upon which
you can have your own time
Thomas Wilkins tried to thank the old
man for his kindness, but he only sank
back into his chair and wept like child;
and while he sat with his face buried in
his hands, the old man slipped from the
room. And when at length he returned
he bore in his hand neatly covered
basket.
Come, come, the Captain exclaimed,
cheer up, my friend. Here are some
titbits for your wife and children-take
them home; and believe me, Wilkins, il
you feel half as happy in receiving my
favor as do in bestowing it, you are hap
Ply indeed
20, God! God will bless you for this
, sir?' exclaimed the kindness stricken man
'and if | betray your confidence, may
, die on the instant
Stick to your pledge, Wilkins, and
will take care of the rest said the old
Captain, as his friend took the basket
IF you have time tomorrow, call on me
and l will arrange the papers,
: As Thomas Wilkins onca more anteref