Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-31
Bread upon the Waters.
A SKETCH PROM LIFE.

| from US by the hand of death: and ere
long we must be inmates of the poor
house, where now is all the bread you
have cast upon the Yaters ?,2. -
Tho>oid whiteshaired man Hooked up
at his wife He was indeed, bent down
with years, and age sat trembling upon
him. Jacob Manfred had been a com
parativefy wealthy man, and when for
tune smiled upon him, he had ever been
among the first to lend a listening ear
and helping hand to the call of dis
tress; but now misfortune was his. Of
his four boys not one was left Sick
ness and failing strength found him with
but little, and they left him ipenniless.
Various misfortunes came in painful
succession. Jacob and his wife were
alone, and gaunt poverty looked them
in the face..a anH .f,oi Dji.-Ho9 f i''..--
Don't repineg Susan" said the old
man. ''Trae, we are poor, but we are
not forsakGn." ".-rs2 -.,l ~'='
Not forsaken, Jacob " ho is there
to help US now ""-.-
jacob Manfred raised his trembling
fingers toward heaven.
''Ah, Jacob, Il know God is our friend;
but we should have friends here. Look
back, and see how many you have be-
friendcd in days long past. You cast
your bread upon the waters with free
hand, but it has not yet been returned
to yeu.i' rE '.ag -...g rs-t
"Hush, Susan, you forget what you
say. To be sure, l may have hoped
that some kind hand of earth would lift
me from the cold depths of utter want;
do not expect it for anything may
have DONE If 1 have helped the un-
fortunate in days gone by, L have had
my full reward in knowing that have
done my duty to my fellows. o, of all
kinds of deeds I have done for my suf
fering fellows, l would not for gold have
one of them bIotted from my memory.
All, my fond wife it is the memory of
the good done in life, that makes old
age happy. Even now, can hear the
warm thanks of those whom l have be-
fric nded, aud again see their ssiirfcs=
cs; JFacob, returned the wife in a
low tone, 81 know you have been good,
and in your memory you can be happy;
but alas there is present upon which
to look-there is reality upon which we
must dwell. We must beg for food or
starveI' ". - @
The old man started, and deep mark
of pain was drawn across his features.
"Beg!" he replied, with quick shud-
der. No, Susan-we are -".ra.
He hesitated, and big tear rolled
down his furrowed cheek. II 81
''We are what, Jacob ?" -'@-' .,-a2
awe are going to the poor house r
90, God 1 thought so,'' fell from
the poor wife's lips, as she covered her
face with her hands. II have thought
so, and 1 have tried to school myself to
the thought, but my poor heart will not
hear it. 7.' -
DO not give up Susan, softly urged
the old man, laying his hand upon her
arm It makes but little difference to
US now. We have not long to remain
on earth, and let US not wear out our
last days in useless repinings. Come,
come"
'But when-when shall we go?"
5s"sNowLto day." ar t,.-1-t.
."Then God have mercy upon us."
He will" murmured Jacob. 1856
IF That old couple sat for while in 81
fence. When they were aroused from
their painful thought, it was by the
stopping of a light cart in front of the
door. A man entered the room where
they sat. He was the porter of the
poor house. = a'G
,ar@Come, Mr.. Manfred, he said, ''the
guardians have Managed to crowd you
Into thepoor house. The cart is at the
door and you can get ready as soon as
possible" @'aa''=. - b.
jacob Manfred had not calculated the
strength he should need for this ordeal.
There was a coldness of the very tones
and manner of the man who came for
him, that went like an iceberg to his
heart and with deep groan he sank
back into his seat"
Come, be in hurry impatiently
urged the porter.
At this moment a carriage drove up
to the door.
us this the house Of Jacob Man
fred?" ~
This question was asked by man
who entered from the carriage. He was
IL kind looking man, about thirty five
years of age. .--..
THAT is my name," said Jacob. =
"Then they told me truly uttered
the newcomer care you from the
work house ?" he inquired, turning to-
wards the porter. a1t
eYes"-.@ G"i'H","f9i:'h ~. "..i a,@f'
care you after these people pr ''.',s
ayes "-.
"Then you7may return. Jacob Man
fred goes to no poor house, while 1
live" 'tE Et-. 'r .1 '-.- .''
The porter gazed inquisitively into
the features of the man who addressed,
him, and then left the house. sar.- h.
"Don't you remember me !'' exclaim-
ed the stranger, grasping the old man
by the hand. 9@#ai o.. .''5+E -." - b.
S"1 cannot call you to my memory
" Do you remember Lucius VIII,
liams ?'' -'-t 5l a@ .." --'.-;
ina''Williams?" repeated Jacob Manfred