The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-02-10

this quiet village, and here I determined
to come. And yet had no kindred here.
Bat l come, for here spent the best part
of my manhood, and here were those I
loved. II was not until was set down
at the village inn that / realized how
|poor and friendless l was. The thought
of coming back here had kept my spirits
up, but when l come and found myself
once more in the town, began to look
for the friends upon whom / should cali,
1t was then chill hand was laid upon nae.
My FRIENDS! Where are they? / had
not thought of this before. Remained at
the inn that night, and on the following
morning went oat. found many who
knew me--many who took me warmly by
the hand; but when l began to hint at the
idea ofmy wanting help in my old age,
they turned coldly from me. told them
that / would not beg that I asked not for
charity. Isonly asked for something. to
do-some work, not too hard, by which /
could just keep my body up for the few
short days might have longer to stay in
this world of care. The older ones were
too full at home to make any room for nae,
and the younger ones wanted not the chill
| ling presence of an old man at the. hearth
stone. All! 1 might have known this,
had I stopped 10 ponder ON it before l
came; but did not do so. looked into
this pretty village as my home, forgetting
all The time that where no kindred are there
caa be ne homen sazn.ifsT93 ao5 aI1e
~ "PYeu are wrong, Uncle A dam,r return
cd Henry quickly. Il hope there are
many hereswho would be pleased to give
you home; but you shall not look furth
err You shall'6 find a home here, my kind
l8old friend, as long as you hnve q mind dsto
stay ea
NO, no. Henry. said the old man.
+ l will not force myself upoa you i came
to see you because could not leave the
lplsce without looking once more upon
you" ~ @ .s,a e |
| 81 IN glad you have come, Uncle Adam,
and you shall not GO. Now look ye, /
have a store; perhaps you would rather
be in there once in while, and help me
about .he lighter work. than to be idle."
s"0h! i could not live in idleness; /
would rather work than not" i!sls
"Then you'll stay with rue and work
when you please, and stay at home with
Sarah when you please.'' g 9as l'sfi
"Yes, said the young wife, who had
L / l.1l, s,f, (,
| die. and at the same time placing her arms
around the.o mans neck, ,.'stay with US
Henry has no father or mothcr,i and Ihsve
only mother. OH we have often wishce
that one of the old folks had lived to be
with US. My motheris with my eldest
sister. You will stay, won't yeu? All
/ i know you will We will love youU Uncle
Adam. and make yon very comfortable;
and these Geld, dark days you shall stay
here and not go to the store, forI feel very
! lonesome" -
The old man lifted his trembling hand
i to the noble wonian's head, but when ht
i tried to speak his voice failed him Hi,
/ big lips quivered moment, and the big
/ tears rolled down his furrowed cheek.
4 "Bless you, sweet one, murmured Henry
i tclasping his fond wife to his bosom, s'yo,
: were made to give happiness to others.p
The old man saw that movement an(
heard those words of the husband to hi
wife, and above all else they proved to hin
|that the young couple were earnest ant
sincere in their offer. Those simple word
addressed to another, struck more deepl,
to his heart with conviction than could !,
: hundred verbal assurances given directl,
Ito him.
l'God bless you'll" he at length uttered
; grasping Henry by the hand. can hou
ago feared had no friends on earth
and now I find them warm and true"
"And why should we not be friends?
returned Henry, earnestly. 81 owe mucl
:. of what am to you. / shall never forge
how you bore with me when was way
ward boy, and how you gave me the les
! sons upon which / hare since founded m
! manhood" ,....s- ~ s; <-..
4 1t was late when the trio retired, an,
the old man blessed his friends ere the
j ,lIseparated for the night. .
In the morning Sarah Informed Uncl
Adam that her husband and herself hat
. got the matter all arranged, they mean
to be as happy as could be; and she mad
him promise that he would go and brinl
!, what things he had to their house. III
gave them the promise and before nool
!. had taken possession of his room.
/ r. People wondered what had induce,
Henry to take that old man into his house
!, and to those who asked him he answered
: : that Uncle Adam was like father to hin
and he gave him home because he love,
him. The old gedagogue went to th
store almost every day, and he MADE him
self useful in variety of ways,
q For two or three weeks Uncle. Adam
i watched his young friends very narrowly
but finally he became assured that the
4 liked to hare him there, and that they would
on no account suffer him to leave. A
Il soon as he had gained this assurance b,
was happy and contented man, and err
II loptr he hecame really a father to the house