Litchfield enquirer., 1856-02-14

replied Johnson. in a subdued. unsteady tone. don't know why am left to live @
 [" But you have some idea of happiness in store for you-no man is without that, you know 2"
 |" I sometimes dream of such thing l have hopes, l nave hopes. sir--rainbow colered some of them are too. But if's all delusion. My castles are built in the air, and they are forever tumbling down about my ears. know what would make me It's something cannot have."
 "Speak it out, friend Johnson," cried the stranger-'' but be careful. and mol place your expectations too high. The gods love modesty, you know."
 Well, sir, it is just this-nothing more than three meals day"
 "Three meals day." l s.l knew you'd call It extravagant," said Roger with a faint smile-" but I would not mind your rich dishes-only give me plenty of bread and potatoes. with now and then bit of cheese or salt fish, or may be | a morsel of dried beef or smoked bacon- l make me sure of that. day afier day, as long as live. so that can keep clear oi 1 the alms-house, 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 had found it difficulp to get work this 1 winter, and it was so painful to him to ask aims. that his subsistence had not averag- ed half meal day.
 "Good heavens :" exclaimed his friend -" in all this wasteful city is it possible that one man can be found reduced to such extremes One, too. whose happiness wonld be cheaply purchased-ihree poor meals day v"
 "Cheap. if one had the money" sug- gested Roger.
 II have the money, and by all that's precious, l will devote so much of it to a pension that will afford you this royal bliss"
 70, sir. don't jest with mel" "I am not testing, friend Johnson. To show you how earnest am-waiter, cook this man the choicest steak you have. Or wonId you prefer mutton chops, or any thing else on the bill Speak for your l self"
 As soon as the old man had sufficiently recovered from lis amazement to realize his good fortune. he made choice of some cold fowl, with hot biscuit and coffee. be- cause these comforting items could be most readily procured.
 The sympathetic stranger. who. by the l way. was fine looking uan Of forty. with tasteful whiskers. and an exceedingly piea- sant eye, seemed to enjoy the meal, al- though he had tasted nothing, quite as much as the famished Roger himself.
 Still the old man was unable to realize that he was to have the luxury of such liv- ing every day. it seemed so much like fairy story or dream.
 "lf you don't believe me. look here lhis is my business card. You ought to know me-perhaps you do. l am rich enough to afford any little caprice of this kind. as you will see by calling at my store in the morning."
 Roger begarsto be convinced. By this tune the stimulus of food was having it's effect. and the happiness in deep quiet daughter and tears.
 Now are you sure you are going 10 be perfectly happy!" asked MT. Up,nn.- " Three meals day-all the world has that, but don't know two really happy men. lsn', there something else you would like !" "I forgot my clothes" said Roger. "I should like good warm coat and wh ole 1 trousers and shoes for the cold weather {; bu, then if have plenty ,o eat can man. age 10 keep myself war,n." " The clothes you shalt have." rejoined the other. al had forgotten them myself. | Waiter, call hack for me. You shall l 20 to my house, friend Johnson. and I'll l look over my wardrobe this very evening. and see if 1 cannot furnish you with an out fit" --.
 The old mans heart leaped with joy.- Still he seemed to he more than half in. clined to believe that 1t was trick, even after Mir. Upton had taken him with him into the hack.
 "Iv'e made sure of my supper, at any ra,e." said Roger to himself .' there's no trick abou, that" -.- They aligh,ed before handsome brick dwelling-hous@, with silver knob on the door, aud silver hell handle, and the 1 name of Upton on silver plate. as the old man saw by bright gas-light that burned before the jus, painted steps," The merchant entered by means of a night key. showing that he felt at home on the premises. and presently the old man l was introduced into snug liule library. where, among other comforts. :here was a fire glowing brightly in the grate.
 The adventure looked more and more like reality; and when, with his own hands, the merchant brought from an ad. joining room, coats, vests, pantaloons and shirts, all good and whole. soiae scarcely worn at all, and told him to choose whaI suited him best, Roger ckuckled with a deep inward jov, scarce clouded by doub L
 s.But ought to have good wash and shave before getting into anything respect able in the shape of clothing "
 .l thought of that, so l ordered warn hath. which will he ready for you in few minutes. am determined to see if it il possible to make one man perfectly hap ?y"
 "You have chosen promising suhjec,,' said Johnson, with a smile of quiet 2 lee