The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-03-11
AIRernOn the Merchant. {.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

The day closed and Algernop, the merchant
turned thoughtfully from his counting room, and
took his way homeward Almost without intermis
SION, since morning, had he been absorbed in his
money schemes, gathering in golden sheaves Of
wealth from the harvest fields of trade.
Am / happier for all this p he said question
ing with himself; I" does the larger increase add
TO my pleasure ? Do houses and lands bring
peace OF mind, or ships upon the ocean tranquil
SPIRIT Rather do not all these things multiply
Is my sleep souuder than it was twenty years ago,
cares or my heart lighter y
Away back into the past went his thoughts, as
the last sentence was uttered, and he remembered
the time when, with the closing of day. he could
dismiss the days business, and fud pure delight
in the humble home where wife and children well
coined his return with gladness. Now, his magm
ficent dwelling was as little enjoyed as prisoners
CELL for his affections were not there, but wingng
their way. with his thoughts. aIar off TO distant
seas or strange lands, or lowering about amid
brilliant schemes golden with The promise of untold
wealth. .| ..H
Algsrnon sighed as he contrased days gone by
with the present, and his heart acknowledged that
he was happier then than now. The merchant
was in q softer mood than usual, and it was well
for the half starving woman, whose white face
looked into his imploringly, that 1t was so. She
had thrown herself almost desperately, in his way,
Just a. he turned from the crowded thoroughfare
into less frequented street. not far from his luxu
rious home, with this appeal
aft you have children, sir, pity mine."
i,"What of your children ?" asked the merchant
n he stood stil and looked into the womans pale
pleading face, down upon which the rays of
raslamp fell and showed its lines Of sorrow and
suffering.
"They are hungry, and have no food for them
they are SICK and cannot get them medicine"
ais this true ?" said the merchant, halfn doubt
Such extremity seemed almost impossible to him.
' Come and see! 0, sir. come and see T. Hope
doubt, anguish, all blended in that mothers voice
"Where is your home p asked Algernon
,"Only in the next stree.p was replied.
al will go with you. Lead the way"
Hurryng on before with rapid feet went the
eager woman /; following, with quicker move
ment than usual came the merchant. They were
soon at IN old pile of buildings not far from the
place of meeting. The old woman entered, and
Algenon followed. The sight that met his eyes
stirred all the man within him, and awakened his
utmost pity. A sick child, with hollow cheeks
waxen face. and large, glisteuing eyes, lay upon
an old quilt on the floor; another wan. looking
child sat crouching in the chimney corner, trying
to warm her halfnaked body by the almost i'm
perceptible heat of few dying Goals while a
third not over six years OF sge stood on the other
side of the fireplace, mumblng at a bone from
which it was impossible to extract nutrition.
at is even so ~ said the merchant, as he ganc-
ed in painful surprise about the room. Then he
gave the woman money, and told her TO so quick
.ly for food to nourish her children, aud fuel to
warm them. Nor did humanity end its good
work here. He went to store in the neighbor-
Mood and purchased beds and bed clothing for the
destitute family, and saw these comforts conveyed
to the room they occupied and the children after
being warmed and fed. laid in them, with their
faces full Of wonder and gadness.
In a single haEhour. Algenon, the merchant,
had changed the cold, desolate home OF poor
widow into what to her and her children, was now
a Paradise of comfort. There was a large glow
ing fire upon the hearth, making the air OF the
room rosy with light and genial with warmth
Added to q few broken chairs and an old table,
which made the only furniture Of the apartment,
were two plsin bedsteads, with beds and warm
clothing laid over them, giving their promise OF
rest and comfort in the long, cold nights. Flour,
meal meat, bread, sufficient to supply the little
family for weeks, were piled up in one corner and
the mother crumpled tightly in her hand slip OF
paper containing an order for fuel enough to last
the winter through.
"May He who pities the widow and the father
less be better to you than this even u thousand
fold" said the woman, as Algernon was leaving.
Her eyes were full of tears, but the hearts warm
glow Of I hankfulness was on her face and in her
voice. '" Auu may TIC Inemory Vi tnlS Boou ueeu
90 With you q blessing through life."
An hour later and the merchant sat alone 10
one OF the luxurious apartments Of his palace
home. book lay on the table beside him, and
his hand rested upon an open page He had been
reading and this sentiment had arrested his atten-
tion, and given his thoughts new direction
"Ws only possess what ne have bestowed" AT
first the strangely sounding apothegm struck him
~ . paradox.
Possess only what we have bestowed !" said he,
talking with himself. "How can possess what
have given TO another The thing is absurd
And yet this writer is not in the habit OF utterng
absurd things. What does he mean p
Algsrnon turned TO the book again and read on.
"onIy what we enjoy do we really possess" He
lifted his eyes from the page again. aud unused on
this other proposition
There is truth somewhere here--a newer and
higher truth than my thought has YET apprehend
cd" Agernon talked on again with himself II
have acquired great possessons-aie they enjoyed!
Am happier now than when my wealth could be
told in hat the figures it now takes to record the