The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-04
Mistelllnr0us.
The Last Sixpence.
pY AUSTIN C. BuRDIcK.

III Olu sllcu, NutIc hc ilNu ptSSSb 'i
.ast part OF the night under a pile {
.hccp skins. He was young man
not over vertwo-and.twcnty, and yet rctaine
great beauty OF person, though his clothc
we're torn and dirty, ani his fac, pal
and hnegard. Only one year before h
nad been leit an orphan, with clever
hoasand dollars in money in his posses
,.on. He had always been u generous
hearted, frank and loving companion, ba
evil associations had gathered about him
,nd in AN unfortunate hour he gave hun
,clf up to their influence. H. thought
not o. the value OF money, AMI designing
Suaves, under the guise of friendship
could always draw it nom him. But tn,
yoor, misguided youth had run the race
and was now alone. His money was gon,
and his sunshine companions had lett him
lie had reached the goal towards which
he had been dashing on fora whole year
As young Aubrey stood there now
his lips were parched, and his limbs
shook as though with palsy. lie me-
financially placed his hand IN his pocket,
andtook ,hereirom a sixpence. He search
I'd iurthcr-ielt in every pocket-but he
could find no more. That single siN.
pence was the last OF his fortune.
"Ah, Charley, Charley he murmured
10 himself, YOU have run Your race
Where now are the friends who have so
long hung about you! One poor six
pence. 1t will buy me glass of grog
to allay nv burning thirst. o, would 10
God it would buy me ono true friend"
lie spoke thus, and with the words
came rushing through his mind the men,
org OF the past. lie remembered his
mother. as she held him ioi the last time
to her bosom and blessed him; and he
remembered when he saw them cover her
body up in the warm tlowery earth OF
The summer, not many years agonc. He
remembered his kind, good father, and
how that father had loved and blessed
him with his last breath. And he re-
melnbcrcd one other, brighi-eycd, joy
ous girl, in whose keeping he had once
placed all his loyc, and all his hopes OF
JOY. But it was gone now! Thus nc
stood, with the small coin in. his hand.
when he heard footsteps approaching.-
He raised his eyes and bcheld an old
woman, with bendcd back, who came
to,tcriug on slowly and trcmblingly.-
Her garments were torn and tattcrcd,
and the thin, grey hair hung matted ana
uncombed. She stopped when she came
to where the youth stood, and leaned
heavily OH her staff.
"Charity, good sir" she uttered in a
hoarse, trcmulous voice. "Givc me where
with to purchase singls meal, and |
will ask God to bless thee"
"By NV life, good woman, you are tho
very one | was wishing for. Hcrc-it is
all | have-it Is my last sixpcncc. Take
1t. have only wished it would buy M,
one true friend
The old woman hesitated.
"Wlll YOU 10, take III" asked Charles,
earnestly. Take it SO that | may feel
that have one friend"
II need it, sir" the old woman said,
but dare not take it from you, Tor yol
would no, profit by my friendship"
AYES | would. Ii would send a ray OF
Sunshine through my soil 10 know that
one human beng blessed me- .
"ibut then, what good would come o,
that While yoa thus continue to cGrs,
you'sa!f.'
The yol,h started, but spoke moi.
.l. YOU would have me Tor n friend
will you listen 10 me us n friend Z
"I.isten. le,."
"rhen let this be yoar lowest vale o
life" said the old woman, with stirtIinl
solcmnity. "lnrn now, and 90 up hill
90 up, up, nil you have reached III,
Sunshine once more. knew your moth
or, Charles Aubrey, and | remember wei
how kind she was. q, did she ever tllinl
that her we'll beloved son would sink :,
low y
"Stop, stop" groaned the unhapp,
youth. 40 who shall give me the hrs
liit to regain all have lost"
81 will"
"You! Who are youl You say yo,
knew my mother. Who arc you!"
"Neycr mind. Suffice it for You t'
know that | have suffered rs deeply u
YOU ever did. | know what it is to sut
Ter. say | can give YOU the first lii
mean by that | can show YOU the way
Follow my council and yoa may Yet re
cover all You have lost"
mo, no, not all. There is one loss
can never make up" And II; he spok
he bowed his head and covered his fac'
! with his hands.
"Lct no, such feelings be with yo
now. First resolve that you will tur
from the evil that has brought YOU dowr
You know what it is as well as | do
Can YOU 10 this q .
"Aye, | had done il ere you came up.
"Thcn take the next step. Go an
make friend who will help YOU turthcI
Go to Amos Williams. and
mo. no, not there. ., not there" in
terrupted Charles.
Ito TO his store, and freely confess I
him all your faults" resumed the oil
, woman, without seeming to notice thc il
r ,errup,ion. Toll him all, and then as
him TO trust YOU once more"
|, NO, no, dare not 80 TO him"
"But listen; heard Mr.. William 81
with his own lips, tha, he would hel
YOU il he could, and that he would giv
YOU his hand ii you would only help yoa
self" F.a
~Did he say that!" uttered Charl,
eagerly. a - lh.a la,
-Hc did. And now. Charles Aubrc
b, assured that you have not lost an,
,hing. Let people know that y.u mes
TO arse and b. man, and all who
's friendship is worth having will give yS