Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-12-20
Three meals a day q

of bread and poiatoes-with now and then bit
of cheese, or maybe morsel of dried beef, or
smoked bacon,-make me sure of that, day af-
ter day, as long as live, so that can keep
clear of the almshouse, and you'd see me
happy man, if there is not another in creation =
And haven't you as much already!' cried
the astonished stranger
Roger replied that with his poor health, he
bad found it difficult TO get work that winter,
and it was so painful for him TO ask aims, that
his subsistence had not averaged half meal
day.
Good heavens! = exclaimed his friend; sin
all this wasteful city is possible that one man
can be found reduced 10 such extremesl One,
too, whose happiness would be so cheaply pur-
chased-three poor meals dayl'
Cheap, if one had the money! suggested
old Roger. -.5l
i have the money, and by all that's prec-
ious, will devote so much of it to a pension,
that will afford you this royal bliss
90, sir, don't jest with me
/ am not jesting, friend Johnson To show
how earnest | am-waiter, cook this man the
choicest steak you have. Or would you prefer
mutton chops, or anything else on the bill l.
Speak for YOURSELF
As soon as the old man had sufficiently re-
covered from his amazement 10 realize his good
fortune, he made choice of some cold fowl,
with hot biscuits and coffee, because these
comforting items could be most readily pro-
cured
The sympathetic stranger, who, by the way,
was fine looking man of forty, with tasteful
whiskers, and an exceedingly pleasant eye
seemed to enjoy the meal, although he had
tasted nothing, quite as much as the famished
Roger himself
Still the old man was unable 10 realize that
he was to have the luxury of such living every
day. 1t seemed so much like fairy story, or
dream
If you don't believe me, look here this is
my business card. You ought to know me
perhaps you do. am rich enough 10 afford
any little caprice of this kind, as you will see
by calling at my store in the morning.
Roger began to be convinced. By this time
the stimulus of food was having its effect, and
the happiness in deep quiet laughter and tears.
Now are you sure you are going to be per-
tectIy happy!' asked Mr.. Upton 'three meals
a day-all the world has that, but l don't
know two really happy men. Isn't there
something else that you would like!'
Il forgot my clothes, said Roger. 4 should
like good warm coat, and whole trousers and
shoes, for this cold weather; but then. if l
have plenty to eat, can manage to keep my
self warm.
The clothes you shall have,' rejoined the
other. Il had forgotten them myself Wait
er, call hack for me. You shall go to my
house, friend Johnson, and I'll look over my
wardrobe this evening, and see if l cannot fur
nish you with an outfit -.-...
The old man. heart leaped with joy. Still
he seemed to be more than half inclined to be-
lieve it was trick, even after Mr.. Upton had
taken him with him into the hack.
I've made sure of my supper, at any rate,
said Roger 10 himself There's no trick
about that
They alighted before handsome brick
dwelling house, with a silver knob on the door,
and a silver bell-handle, and the name of Up
ton on a silver pate-as the old man saw by a
bright gas-ight that burned before the Just
painted steps.
The merchant entered by means of night
key, showing that he felt at home on the prem
ises, and presently the old man was introduced
into snug little library, where, among other
comforts, there was a fire glowing brightly in
the CRATE.
The adventure looked more and more like a
reality and when, with his own hands, the
merchant brought from an adjoining room,
coats, vests, pantaloons and shirts, all good
and whole, some scarcely worn at all, and told
him to choose what suited him best, Roger
chuckled with deep inward joy, scarce cloud.
ed by doubt
before getting into anything respectable in the
shape o: clothing
Il thought of that, and SO | ordered warm
bath, which will be ready in few minutes
am determined to see if it is possible to make
one man perfectly happy
You've chosen promising subject said
johnson, with smile of quiet glee. 1--we q
good natural capacity that way, and if any mar
is suffered to appreciate comfort, can set up
that modest claim =
So the old man was put into the bath then
barbered by fellow skilfuI with the razol
and shears and finally clad in garments thai
would have been respectable on change.
Then Roger sat down in an easy-chail
which Upton placed for him before the CRATE
and wept like child. a - vHa 4
sWhat is the matter = asked his friend.
This reminds me of my better days-i
brings such strange things 10 my memory !!
muttered the old man. E sf5.4 so.sf
Is that all l thought there might b.
something else necessary to your happiness.
Nothing-nothing laa aer
Nothing at all, are you sure!'
Indeed cloud passed over the old mans
face-'there's one thing that would like tc
have mended little, but have no thought o
~