Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-08-28
miscellaneous.
THE LAST sIxPENCE

IL was on a chill bleak morning IN Novem-
her thai Charles Aubrey emerged from an old
shed where he had passed the last pari Of The
night under pile Of sheep skins. He was
,oung man moi over two aud twenty, and yet
retained great beauty OF person, though his
rlohes were torn and diiiy, and his face pale
and haegard. Only one year before he had
1,ee0 lefi on osphan, with eleven thousand
dollars in mcney in bic possession. lie he'd
always beea a gererous hearted, frank and
g,,ying comnanion, but evil associations had
gathered sboul him. and in an unfortunate hour
lie gave himself up 10 their influence. He
IhopeLt not Of The yalueof money, but design.
ing knsyes, under the guise ~ friendship, could
always draw 1t from HIM. But The poor mis-
riiiJed youth had rnn the race, Snd was not
alone. His money was gone, and bus Sunshine
tonpnulons had let lin. He had reached the
ronI towards which for swhole year he had
leen dashed on. slFt.
AS young Aubrey stood there now, his lips
were pafrhed, and his limbs shook ss ihoneh
with palsy. He mechanically placed his hand
inhis rocket, and look therefrom sixpence.
He searched fufther--felt IN every pocket
la,tle could find m omore. That single six
peuce was The last Of his fortune.
.Ah. Chsrley, Charley" lie nu:nured 10
himself, 'syou,ve run your race. Where now
are .Ie friends who have so long hung about
syoa,? One poor sixpcncei IL will buy me
.,ne class Of frog 10 sllay my turning thirst -
q, would to God il would buy me one true
friendl'
tie smoke this, and with the word came rush
ing through l. is m ind the memory OF the past.
lie remembered his mother as she held him
the last time 10 her bosom and blessed him; and
he remembered When be saw them cover heI
I,ody up in the warm howery summer, NOT
many penrs ago. He remembered bis kind
good father, and how that father Iisd fUv d
linn and blessed him with his last brea,h.--
And he remembered one other. o bright eyed,
ioyous gin, in whose keeping he had once
rlaced all his love, and oil his hopes Of JOY
Bu, II wns gone nowl Thus he stood, with
the small coin in his hand. when he heard
footsteps approaching. He raised bis eyes, and
beheIa an old woman, with bended back, who
came tottering on. slowly and trembling. Hel
garments were torn and iattered, and the fhjf
gray hair hung matted and uncombed. She
stopped when she came 70 where the youth
stood. and leaned heavily upon her staff.
"Chariiy good Sifiv she uttered, IN hoafst
,semuIons torres, s'Give me wherewiih h Z
purchase single meal, and I'll ask God z
blesf thee"
Bymy liie, good woman, YOU o'e tne se,ll
one have been wishing for. Here, II IS oil
have--it Is my last siypence. Take It.
have only wished that il could buy me ont
true ireno." 5.t < i
Ihe old woman hesi'aieo;
Will You take NJ asked Cna,,ss, es'hss. Us.
". TAKE ~ SO inati may EEL tnss nav
one iriend. n, ~ ~.
y ineed i, sir,. ne woman ss,u, ~ ..os uo,'
not lake y from you, lor you wou'o ho' pion
. bymy friendship"
"fes would. twonio send sIsy o. s"n m
shine through my soul, 70 know tna' one Nv
man being blessed me-. ,a
but what good could cone o. 'ha' WIN
p you conunne 70 cufse yoniselu
I'M yonib started pul ne spose 10. I'll, -,
III you would nave me as li'eno' W'ii yo'
listen 70 me as iIienus"
"Llstenf yes. ,..- /,
aThen let This be your Lowest vse q ,s,
said the woman, With star,lins so'emnhs.--
Tam now and go up the hill. 70 Up, ono
more. know your n0thef, Cnatles AUBREY