The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-03-04
BREAD UPON THE WATERS.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

, A FkOM LEE
/ "Ah, Jacob, now see how all you
hopes are gone. Here We are, worn ou
with age all our children removed from
US by the hand of death, and ere Ion,
we must be inmates of the poor house
Where now, is al the. bread you hay
cast upon the waters ?'' -.
The old white haired man looked u,
at his wife. He was, indeed, bent dow
with years, and age sat trembIingly up
on him. Jacob Manfred had been
comparatively wealthy man, and whil'
fortune bad smiled upon him he had eY
CT been among the first to lend listen
ing ear and helping hand to the call o
distress, 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 penniless
An Oppressive embargo upon the ship
ping business had been the first weight
upon his head, and other misfortunes
came in painful succession. Jacob. and
his wife were all alone, and gaunt pow
eFty looked them coldly in the face.
Don't repine, Susan" said the old
man True, we are poor, but we are
not yet forsakenn -.f---.-...-t z.-
t-Not forsaken, Jacob Who is there
to help US now?' a.rI T. .7at-s1as ~ f5a-r
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling
finger towards heaven. hEz sa{esf
s'Ah Jacob, I know Godis our friend !;
but we should have friends here. . Look
back and see how many you have be-
friended in days long past.T You cast
your bread upon the waters with free
hand, but it was not returned to youn
"Hush, Susan, you forget 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
I do not expect itzas reward for any
thing I may have done. III I have
helped to save the unfortunate in days
gone by, I have had my full reward in
knowing that [ have done my duty to
my fellows. Oh of all tho kind deeds
[ have done to my suffering fellows, 1
would rot for gold have one of them
blotted from my memory. All, my fond
wife, tits the memory of the good done
in life that makes old age happy Even
now, csn hear again the warm thanks
of those whom [ have befriended, and
again I can see their smiles" '2z-7r fe
"Yes, Jacob" returned the wife, in
lower tone, 81 know you have been good,
ard in your memory you can be happy;
but, alas there is present upon which
we must look-there is a reality upon
which we must dwell. Wemust beg for
food, or starve r'J sj3 3ls 1sel1s7. ties
The old man started, and deep mark
of pain was drawn across his features.
"Beg !" he replied, with a quick shud
der. "No Susau-8e are" s- 7..l
He hesitated, and big tear rolled
down his furrowed cheek. q . .t.Ss.i 20
"We are what ? jacob sI5s1fs sd5
"We are going to the poor honse l'ao
40, God I thought so y fell from
the poor wife's lips, as she covered her
face with her hands. 81 have thought
so, and I have tried to school myself to
the thought; but my poor heart will not
bear it !" r--..-e .az z.-a hszai- -;sas
'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 repinipgs. Come,
come" sr -a s. sl-.i
"But when shall we go ?''f ?''f.gsss seY
"Now-to day. -sF, NOV NJ -..-a
"Then God have mercy on us 7, ss..
"He WILL" murmured Jacob. se se-;,
The old couple sat for while in 81,
lence. When they were aroused, from
their painful thoughts it was by the
stopping of Wagon IN front of the
door. A man entered the room where
they sat. He was the keeper of the poor
house.
"Come, Mr.. Manfred said he, "the
selectmen have managed to crowd you
into the poor house. The Wagon is at
the door, and you can get ready as soon |
as possible .ea "a e. re.ses..,a
Jacob Manfred had not calculated the
strength he should need for this ordeal,
There was GOODNESS in the very tone
and manner of the man who had come
for him, that went like an ice bolt to his
heart, and with a deep groan he sank
back in his seat.
"Come, be in a hurry" impatiently
urged the keeper. -. -.