Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-12-20
spend. deserted his family for the prog shop,

pearance was the appearance for general
trouble and fear. 1t made poor old Roger
Johnson's heart burn in his bosom 10 hear Ja-
cob Stone demand money of his wife, and curse
her because she had that day spent all their old
est sons earnings for fuel; and when the unfeel-
ing father snatched from the hands of a sickly
child the crust that had been given tito gnaw,
the old man spoke out his indignation. This
led to sharp quarrel, and he was driven with
oaths from the room.
Jacob slammed the door after him, and the
feeble lodger crept darking up 10 his cold and
windy attic. He sighed as he sat there in the
gloom, on the uninviting bed. The comfort
he had just tasted made the present desulation
more bitter by its contrast.
The old man huddled himself together, with
the tattered bed-covering wrapped around him,
and resting his elbows on his knees, wept and
sobbed like child. 1t seemed the darkest of
all the dark, dark hours he had vet known
Always till now, he had some little ray of
hope when the gloom was thickest, but in the
present anguish, nothing was left him but to
die.
Once the old man started up and cursed him
self for fool. He was half famished in
wintry garret and the reflection that he had
given away 10 the greedy ones of Jacob Stone
nearly the whole of his last loaf, filled him
with indignation at his own folly.
/ deserve to starve,' he muttered. THE
world is all selfshness, and he who gives is
dull dolt-let him suffer. But o! this hunger
and cold. Have deserved so much L
There were others well fed and warmed that
night. Roger thought of them; he saw hap
py families with smiling faces sitting around
glowing hearths. Then he wept again-not
now with envy or remorse. He thanked God
that there was comfort in the world, though
his lot was to suffer. He thought of the man
who gave him the money that purchased the
loaf; of him who lifted him up when he had
fallen, and spoken kind words to him of the
good and patient Mrs. Stone. the mother of the
children he had fed and for all his hungry
pangs, he felt richly compensated, in the con-
sciousness of having done one selt-forge,ting,
charitable act, which made him, in spite of his
poverty and rags, brother to all the good and
noble hearts that throb in human clay
The old mans limbs meanwhile grew chill
and numb and he was wondering if it would
be possible for him TO get warm if he went to
bed, when he heard step on the stairs, and
presently saw a light shining through the
wide cracks around the door
Have you gone to bed, Johnson!'
1t was Mrs. Stones voice, and the old man
aroused himself 10 answer.
No thought I'dstry sitting freeze irst,'
said he, with sad, playful humor; Anything
wantingt'
Yes replied the woman; There is a man
down stairs that wishes to see you
To see me = echoed the astonished lodger,
starting up. you didn't mean mel
Mrs Stone did mean him, indeed and he
FASTENED 10 shake the coverlid from his shoul-
ders, and accompany her down stairs. All
was quiet in her room, Jacob having fallen
asleep by the stove, stupifed by fire. The
caller was waiting in the dark entry below
and the woman held the lamp while Roger
went down to speak with him.
The old man was tremulous with the vague
apprehension that something was going TO hap
pen to him; nor was this fear dissipated when
in the person who took his hand and addressed
him with kindly tones, he recognized the man
who had SO lately helped him 10 regain his
footing in the slippery street.
| was afraid [ should not find you,' said
the visitor. But from the time / left you,
your words, 'Old Roger Johnson--around the
corner, third door up the alley,' kept ringing
in my ears, and was finally compelled 10
come back and look for you.'
God bless you, SIR said the shivering old
man ; 'this is an honor | don't know how
have deserved you must have made mis-
take
Not at all. | thought you might be very
poor, and in need of assistance
true, true, | am poor enough, but
Rogers voice failed him, and he began to
shake again as with the ague.
sYou are cold, said his new friend 'Come,
let's step into yonder shop and talk over mat
ters'
Rogerhesitated.
They turn me out, sir, when go there to
get warm
They will not turn me OUT replied the
other, scome along
| They entered common refreshment saloon,
and by the kindness and protection of his new
friend, Roger was permitted to enjoy seat by
the stove
You look like man who has seen hard
times observed the stranger.
Il have suffered almost everything, SIR re-
piled johnson, in a subdued, unsteady tone.-
Il don't know why am left TO live.'
But you have some idea of happiness in
store for you yet no man is without that, you
know
Il sometimes dream of such thing.
have hopes, i have hopes, sir-rainbow col
ored, some Of 'em are, too. But it's all delu-
sion. My castles are built in the air, but they
are forever falling down about my ears.
know what would make me happy, sir, bu
what's the use of talkingl It's. something