The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1857-11-26
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oBREAD UPON THE WATERS"

''Ab, Jacob, now you see how all your
hopes are gone. Here we are, worn out
with age-all our children removed from
us by the hand of death, and ere long
we must be the inmates Of the poor
house. Where, now, is all the bread
you have cast upon tho waters?'
The old, whito-haired man looked up
at mis- wife lie was, indeed, bent down
with years, and age sat trcm-
bling upon him. Jacob Manfred had
been comparatively wealthy man,
and while fortune smiled upon him he
had ever been among the first to lend a
helping hand to the call Of distress; but
now misfortune was his. OF his four
boys, not one was left. Sickness and
falling strength found him with but
little, and they left him ponniless.-
Various misfortuncs came in painful
succession. Jacob and his wife were
alone, and gaunt poverty looked them
coldly in tho face.
"Don't repine, Susan" said the old
man. "True we are poor, but we are
not yet forsaken."
"Not forsaken, Jacob? Who is there
to help us now?"
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling
finger towards heaven.
IAh, Jacob! l know God is our Friend;
but we should have friends here. Look
back, and see how many you have be-
friended in days long past. You cast
your bread upon the waters with free
hand, but it has not yet returned to
you"
saw. To be sure, 1 may have hoped
that some kind hand Of earth would
lift me from the cold depths Of utter
want; but 1 do not expect it as a re-
ward for anything may have done. IF
have helped the unfortunate in days
gone by, I have had my full reward in
knowing that have done my duty to
NV fellows. Oh! Of all kind deeds I
have done for my suffering fellows,
would not for gold have one of them
blotted 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 again the warm
thanks Of those I have befriendod, and
again see their smiles"
ayes, Jacob, returned the wife, in
lower tone, "I know you have been
good, and in your memory you can be
Happy; but, alasl there is a present upon
which we must look-there is a reality
uyon which we must dwell. We mus
beg for food, or starvo!'
The old man started, and a deer
mark of pain was drawn across hi
features
''Beg, he replied, with a quick sLud
der. "No, Susan-we are"
He hesitatod, and a big tear rollec
down his furrowed cheek.
owe are what, Jacob?'
awe are going TO the poor-house"
ooh, God! / thought so, fell from
the poor wife S lips, as she covered he
face with her hands. "L have though
so, and 1 have tried to school myself t,
the thought but my poor heart will no
bear id!
"Do not give up, Susan, softly urge,
the old man, laying his hand upon he
arm, 'It makes but little difference Il
us, now, We have not long to remain
on earth, and let us not wear out ou
last days in useless repinings Come
come.
"But when-when shall we go?"
"Now, to-day"
"Then God have mercy upon us!"
'tHe WILL murmured Jacob.
That old couple sat for awhile in 81
lence When ,hoy were aroused fror
their painful thoughts, it was by tn
stopping Of light cart in front Of tn
door. A man entered the room wher
they sat. He was the porter Of the poor
house.
"Oome, Mr.. Manfred" he said eth
guardians have managed to crowd 20
into the poor-house The cart is at tn
door. and you can get ready as soon a
possible"
Jacob Manfred had not calculated th
strength he should need for this ordoa
There rwas a GOODNESS in tho very ton
and manner Of the man who had com