The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-23
.Seltfts 1gto1rIp,, i :.
! OLD ROGER JOHNSON.
BY PAUL cREYroN.

Ten cents! ten cents!' muttered old
Roger Johnson, fumbling the bit Of silver
ID his palm. Ten cents he repeated.
chiidishly, feeble smile fitting over his
blus lip, with sickly glare on his hag
Buy my sdpaer-breakfast, dinner and
supper, all in one-and God be thanked
fof shat!'
8 His words died away to an inaudible
whisper, as hugging his tat,ered garments
around him, he tottered along the street.
ID vas al the close Of rude winter S
day. The evening dusk had fallen. and
2 few 6ne flakes Of snow futtered down
ous Of the dark gray clouds that lowered
above the city. As old Roger picked his
way carefully across the 10y slabs, gay
young lampligh.er, passing on his even
Ing round, set his ladder against post
close by, mounted smarily. and touched
with Z match the eager jets of gas. which
oast yellow radiance all around the old
man's feet.
Hal said Roger. with the very ghost Of
laugh fitting airily from his numb. cold
lips, that's q good omen. Light. light.
golden light, too, all over my poor old rag.
Gsd shoes! So, in my life. I've been gro
ping, CROPPING. though Heaven knows !
capered as gaily as any schoolboy once.
and walked as proudly as any youth. af-
tsrwards-till now the cold winter night is
setting in, and it's all l.powerine dark be.
fore ,me-so dark, and chill. and thre aten
in2l Blu, there will come CLEAN soon
just like this which brightens all around
nas-and-a g $50
Tbe old man was mumblinR again-
With 8 sort ofchildish. dreamy gle<, when
Getting his foo. incau,iously upon clod
81 ice. he slipped, and fell helplesslys on
ibe frozen grouLd. =, -
sHillo, old cove--you hurt7' cried q
merry schoolboy. ss'e s's1'
He's down there looking after q pin.
laughed another, sliding by, with sled
at his heels.
The boys passed on, and the old man
slrugglsd 10 regain his feet But he was
feeble and rheum alto, and the fall had
we'll nigh shaken the life out Of him
When he came q little to himself. he OBJ
served that q kind gentleman was assist
lug him with cheering words.
No, am not much damaged. said
Roger, gratefully. Thank YOU sir
stwouidnt have been much matter il fT'd
bsoken my neck. aint of much accoun
ID the wofld-nobody would miss old
Roger yohnson'
Have you far 10 got asked the stran
Not to-night. thank Heaven live. OF
rather stay, right around the corner here
1hisd door up the alley"
Veil, goodnight to you. Mind ano
ksep your legs under you,' cried thu
stranger. '...s
He passed on, end the old man. drae
king his shaking limbs into provision
shop on the corner. purchased loaf o
bread with the bit of silver 10 which he hat
cIupg tightly all the, while, then creeping
yith, unsteady steps into the alley, entered
e-dark. dilapidated doorway with his sup
per under his arm. f.t.@zass3 s.t ]. -
.v.sAs he, was stumbling up dismal olt
stairsase. sharp feminine voice cried ou
10 him from the floor OF the first landing
: dasIs that you. Johnson2' aa5,@s
!. sstl sspese, it is; though | sometimes NOR
then, half believe I'm somebody else,' re
plisd the lold man.4, ,i-@ sr5 .s,.f.-s3 49,.
Why didn't you speak? I'D open tn,
Seor. So e ! you could see,' cried the
sWhsre does that light come 'front.'