The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-11-21
Bread Upon the Waters.

| I'LL our cfliiufen removed from Us ov TIL,
hand of death, and ere long we must be tb,
inmates Of the poor house. Where, now, i,
all the bread you have cast upon the wa
ters ~
The old white haired man looked up al
his wife. He was, indeed, bent down witt
years, and age sat trembling upon him
Jacob Manfred had been a comparatively
wealthy man, and, while fortune smiled mp
on him, he had ever been among the first tC
lend listening ear and helping hand tc
the call of distress; but now misfortune was
his. Of HIS four boys not one was left
sickness and failing strength found him with
but little, and they found him penniiess.-
Various misfortunes came in painful success
sion. Jacob and his wife were alone auC
gaunt poverty looked them coldly in tho
face ..sa-...ss
fs+ ss Don't rcpine, Susan" said the old man
"True, we are poor but we are not forsa
ken:"
"Not forsaken, Jacob? Who is there to
help ms now:"
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling fin
gers toward heaven.
"Ah, Jacob. know God is our friend
but we should have friends here. Look
back and see how many you have befriend-
ed in days long past. You cast your bread
/ "A
not returned to you"
/ Hush, Susan, you forget what you say.
/ To bk sure, may have hoped that some
4 kind hand Oh earth would lift me from the
/ cold depths OF utter want; but | DO not ex-
pect il as reward for anything have dons
/ If have helped the unfortunate in days
/ gone by, have had my full reward in know
! in knowing that | have done my duty to my
. fellows. Oh, of all kind deeds | have done
! for my!.suiiering fellows, would not for geld
/ have them blotted Fl ON my memory. All,
! my fond wife, t is the memory OF the good
/ done ia life that makes old ago happy
i Even now, | can hear again the warm thanks
/ of those whom have befreaded, and again
/ | Sc. their smies!"
Yes. jacob, returned the wife, III 4 low
tone, 81 know you have been good, and in
your memory you can be ha, Ply, but, alas.
! there is a present upon which we must look
there is reality upon which we must
dwell dwell. We must beg for food or
starve."
The old man started, and deep mark of
! pain vas drawn across his features.
Beg!" he replied, with quick shudde:.
No, Susan-we are
He hesitrted, and big tear rolled down
his furrcwed cheek.
ave are what, jacob :"
We are going to the work house :"
"Oh, God, thought So" fell from the
poor wifes lips, as she covered her face with
her hands. ~ have though, so, and have
tried to school myself to the thought, but
nv poor heart VIII not bear i..'
Do not give up, Susan softly urged
the old man, laying bis hand upon her arm.
- /: makes but little difference to Us now
We have not long to remain upon the oarth
and Let Us not wear out our last days in
useless repinngs. Cone come.
Bat when, when shall ~ go:"
Now, to-day" n
Then God have mercy upon Us.
a. lie will, murmur-d Jacob.
The Old couple sat for a while IN si'enre.
When they were aroused from their paiufGi
thoughts, it was by the stopping Of light
cart in front Of the door. A man entSIcG
the room where they sat. He was tae por-
ter Of the poor house.
Come, Mr. Manfred" he said, the
guardians have managed to crowd you into
tie poor house. The cart Is at the door,
and vou can get ready a. socn as possible.
Jacob Manfred had not calculated the
strength he should need tor this ordeal
There was a GOODNESS in the very tone and
manner OF the man who came fDr him, that
went like an ice-bolt to his heart, and with
a deep groan he sank back into his seat.
Come, be in hurry" imDatlentiy urg-
ed the porter.
At that moment carriage drove ua to
the door.
''Is this the house Of jacob Manfred:"
This question vas asked by man who
entered from the carriage. He was kind
looking man about forty years Of age.
.
"Then they told Inc truly, uttered the
newcomer Are you from the poor
house." he continued turning to the porter.
YES" Are you after these people: -
Eyes" Then you may return. Jacob
Manfred goes to no poor-house while l
live"
The porter gazed inquisitiveiy into tho
features of the man who addressed him and
then left the house.
"Dont YOU remember me?' exclaimed
the stranger, grasping the old man by the
hand.
81 cannot call you to memory now"
"Do YOU remember Lucius Williams -
Williams :" repeated Jacob, startiug up
from his chair and gazing earnestly into the
face of the man before him.
"Yes, Jacob Manired-Lucius Williams.
That little boy whom, thirty years ago, you
saved from the house of correction; that
poor boy whom you took so kindly from
the bonds of the law, and placed on board
one of your own vessels
"And are you"
"Yes, yes-I am the man you made
You found me rough stone from the hands
of poverty and bad exsmple 1t was you
who brushed off the evil, and who first led
me TO the sweet waters of neral life and
happiness. have profitcd by the exam
ple YOU gave me in early youth, and the
warm spark which your kindness lighted up
in nv bosom, has grown brighter ever
since. With an afiluence for life, settled
down to enjoy the remainder OF my days in
peace and ouietneSs, with such work as my
hands find to do. l heard of your losses
and bereayements. | know that the chill
dren of your own flesh are all gone; but |
am a child of your bounty-a child OF your
kindness-and now you shall still be my pa
rent. Come, have home and heart,
and your presence will make them both war
mer, brighter and happier. Come, my more
than father-and you, my mother, come
You made my youth all bright, and will
not see your old age doomed to darkness"
Jacob Manfred tottered forward, and sank
upon the bosom of his preserver. He could
not speak his thanks, for they were too tea-
w for words. When he looked up again,
he sought his wife.
"Susan," said he, in choking, trembling
tone, "my bread has come back to me -
I" Forgive me, Jacob" mo, no, Susan,
am not the one who must forgive-God
holds us in his hanns."
"Ah!" murmured the wife, as she raised
her streaming eyes to heaven; 81 will new
er doubt him again..
THE BENEFIT OF PAYING SMALL DEBTS IL
LusrRArED.-1'he Fredericksburg (Vt) Her.
aid gives the following as illustrative of the
Importance of the prompt payment of small
debts: