Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-16
Bread Upon the Waters.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

All, JdCOu, uo" you ooo ho" OH youi
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 the
waters? 2"
The old white-haired man looked up at
his wife. He was, indeed, bent down with
years, and age sat trembling upon him.
Jacob Manfred had been comparatively
wealthy man, and while fortune smiled upon
him he had ever been among the first
to lend helping hand to the call of distress ;
but now misfortune was his. Of his four
bows, not one was left. Sickness and failing
strength found him with but little, and they
left him penniess. Various misfortunes came
in painful succession. Jacob and his wife
were alone, and gaunt poverty looked them
coldy in the face. .a.lg
"Don't repine, Susan," said the old man.
"True, we are poor, but we are not yet for
saken."
"Not forsakcn Jacob?" "Who is there
to help us now!"
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling fingers
towards heaven.
"Ah, Jacob | know God is our friend !;
but we should have friends here. Look back,
and see how many you have befriended in
days long past. You cast your bread upon
the waters with free hand, but it has not
yet returned to you"
"Hush, Susan, you forgot what you say.
To be sure, | may have hoped that some
kind hand of earth would lift me from the
cold depths of utter want; but do not ex-
pect it as a reward for anything may have
done. If 1 have helped the unfortunate in
days gone by, have had my full reward in
knowing that l have done my duty to my
fellows Oh of all kind deeds have done
for my suffering fellows; | would not for
gold have one blotted from my memory
All! my good 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 whom have befrended, and again
l see their smiles !'
Eyes Jacob" returned the wife in lower
tone, " know that you have been good, and
in your memory you can be happy; but
alas there is a present upon which we must
look-there is a reality upon which we must
dwell. We must beg for food or starve!"
The old man started and deep mark Of
pain was drawn across his features.
"Beg," he replied with a quick shudder
"No, Susan--we are,
He hcsitated, and big tear rolled down
his furowed cheek.
+" We are what, Jacob?"
1--WE are going TO the poor-house
"Oh, God | thought SO" fell from the
poor wife's lips, as she covered her face with
her hands. 81 have thought so, and | have
tried to school myself to the thought; but
my poor heart will not bear it"
"Do not give up Susan" softly urged the
old man, laying his hand upon her arm.-
at makes but little difference to us now
We have not long to remain upon earth, and
let us not wear out our last days in useless
repinings. Come, come"
But when--when shall we goW
Now--to-day."
"Then God have mercy upon us"
{" He WILL" murmured Jacob.
That old couple sat for while in silence
When they were aroused from their painful
thoughts, 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 por
ter of the poor-house.
"Come, Mr.. Manfred" he said, |" the guar
dians have managed to crowd you into the
poor-house. The cart is at the door, and yor
can get ready as soon as possible" y