True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-27
9 dNife's ynaue1ttt,
THE OLD SOFA.
BY REV. HENRY BACON.


Charles 0rton had admired his friend
Heaton's splendid mansion. He had gone
in ecstacies oyer many ofthe arrangements
and had more than once said to himself,
what lucky dog Heaton isis be not!
But when he came again TO The cosy
study or library, and quietly seated in an
ample armchair, took an inventory of the
appointments of the gorgeous room, he
spied in one corner, in little pleasant
room an old sofa, and wondered not lit
tie at its presence there. Just then his
friend Heaton returned, and looking up
to his host Orion exclaimed:
"What on earth Heaton makes you
keep that old thing there! 1t looks like
the last relic of a deca yed merchant"
"Why Charlie that sofa cost Inc TOO
much to part with it," said Heaton.
"The cost of thing is poor veason
for keeping it," laughingly replied Orlon,
"or else I should have kept many a
piece of property | have been glad to get
rid Of"
"That may be-" answered Heaton,
"but that sofa cost me over ten thousand
dollars"
"Nonsense nonsense!" exclaimed Or
ton as he jumped up, tArnstng his hands
into his panlaloons' pocket and striding
over the floor in merry mood.
81 own.to you Charley" said Heaton,
at was nonsense, but i! is nevertheless
true ten thousand dollars went by that
sofa"
"Why, did you make it safe, and
somebody find the thousands hid there,
for which the sola-poor innocent thing
was not 10 blame" merrily responded
his guest.
"No, no." was The reply; but the cos'
OF that sofa is not all that makes me re-
tain it. 1t defeated my fondest plan-i
was the scene Of my happest success
and every wrinkle in it has a memory fol
me-"
"Why really, Heaton," said Orton
"you'll have to celebrate the old sofa
in song and rival the "Old Arm Chair.
"If were a poet" said Heaton, In
sure could do it. An arm chair is only
for one, but only think of sofa-the po
etry of two, three, or even four, and ther
the felicity Of a full length stretch or
one!
Come, then, let's try, Heaton, anC
see," said Orton. if we can't get W
some poetry; and then .pausing in from
Of that antique piece of furniture, ant
placing himself in most tragic attitud,
he began
GO sofa in that cosy nook,
How oft have /, with news or book,
Sunk down my weight upon your springs
And at full length made strife with kings
Fought desperate battles-gained them all
Andnoted stocks-the rise and fall"
"Get out, Charley! stop your non
sense p exclaimed Heaton ; "you ma
have The freedom Of the house, but lha
sofa is too good for you."
"PIease to veil it then, "Orton repie
"and let the eye of no infdel polute tn
sacredness of your precious darling
sofa."
"But nonsense apart now, let me te
you something of the history Of tha
sofa" said Heaton.
$50 do--Pm all attention." replied Oh
ton, as he sank himself down again int
the ample a,m.chair, with his left han
still III his pocket, and his head restn
most comfortably on his right hand, tn
palm pressing his chin up in name
that made him look as though his teet
were set. "All ears Heaton--ialk OIL
This is day Of wonderful revelations
and now for the story of the ten thousan
dollar sofa Whew!"
4" You remember, Charlie" said Hei
ton where was when we become a
quainted--"
"Yes doing first rate business, and
thought you a lucky fellow, as | hay
ever since said Orton.
".True Charlie. .'repled Heaton, ear
IL was Lnen lHdI roeoi'eu Ou tuo hluu
house would buid--build to suit m
fancy and to surprise my wife by haviI
everything 10 her liking. ! foslered d
4igenily my means with this intent--l w
-economical and sparing--I treasured
the memory Of every observation | heal
Mrs, Heaion make about what suited
dhis house and that, wherever we visile
and my ideal grew every month mo
definite and more beautiful. Fortune
fayors had their best charm in the ia
that they gave me more means for n
favorite project; and though busine
ambition, was one Of my leading trai
yet | sincerely believe that ii was Il
favorite notion that made me ambition
or at least gave it tho true 6re. We
matters were going on finely, when o
day, Mrs. Heaion told me q. tea, that 9
had seen that day "a love Of a sofa,
exquisite thing, and she must have it.
She had never said must before, d