Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-05-21
1ntrrrstino Gale.
THE LAST ENCE.
By AUSTIN C. BURDICK.

1t was on chill, bleak morning in
November that Charles Aubrey emerged
from an old shed, where he had past the
latter part of the night under a pile of
sheep skins. Io was a young man not
over two and twenty, and yet retained
great beauty of person, though his
clothes were torn and dirty, and his face
pale and haggard. Only one year before
he had been left an orphan, with eleven
thousand dollars in his possession. He
had always been a generous hearted,
frank and loving companion, but evil as
sociates had gathered about him, and in
an unfortunate hour he gave himself up
to their influence. He thought not Of
the value of money, and designing knayes
could always draw it from him. But the
poor misguided youth had run the race
and was now alone. His money was
gone, and his sunshine companions had
left him. He had reached the goal TO-
wards which he had been dashing for a
whole year.
As young Aubrey stood there now, his
lips were parched and his limbs shook as
though with palsy, He mechanically
placed his hand in his pocket and took
therefrom sixpence. He searched fur
ther-felt in every pocket--but he could
find no more. That single sixpence was
the last of his fortune
"Ah, Charley, Charley" he murmur-
ed to himself, you have run your race
Where are now the friends who have so
long hung about you? One poor six
pence 1t will buy me glass of grog
to allay my burning. o, would to God,
it would buy me one true friend !"
He spoke thus, and with the words
came rushing through his mind the me-
mory of the past. He remembered his
kind, good father, and how that father
had loved and blessed him with his last
breath.
And he remembered one other, a bright
eyed joyous girl, in whose keeping he
had once placed all his love, and all his
hopes of joy. But it was gone now =
Thus he stood, with the small coin in his
hand, when he heard footsteps approach
ing. He raised his eyes and beheld an
old woman with Bonded back, who came
lettering on slowly and tremblingly.-
Her garments were torn and tattered and
the thin grey hair hung matted and I'M
combed. She stopped when she came to
where the young man stood, and leaned
heavily on her staff
Charity, good sir" she uttered in a
hoarse, trembling voice. "Givc me
wherewith to buy single meal, and
will ask God to bless thee"
by my life, good woman, you are
the very one | was wishing for. Here
it is my last sixpencc Take it. have
only wished that it would buy me one
true friend"
The old woman hestated.
Will you not take it % asked he,
earnestly. "Take it, so that | may feel
that have one friend"
" / need it, sir" the old woman said
'but dare not take it from you, for you
would not profit by my friendship"
Yes, / would. 1t would send a
thrill through my soul to know that one
human being blessed me-"
But then what would como of that
while you thus continue to curse your
selfT"
The youth started, but spoke not.
g. If you would have me for a friend,
will you listen to me as friend %
Listen yes"
Then let this be your lowest vale of
life, " said the old woman, with startling
solemnity. Turn now, and 20 up hill.
Go up until you have reached the sun
shine once more. | knew your mother,
Charles Aubrey, and | remember well
how kind she was. o, did she ever
think her well beloved son would sink so
low?'
"Stop, stop" groaned the unhappy
youth. 80, who can give me the first
lift to regain all that have lost p
81 will"
You who arc you? You say you
knew my mother. Who are you %
Never mind Suffice it for you to
know that / have suffered az deeply as
you ever did. ] know what it is to suf-
fer. ] say can give you the first lift
] mean by that can show you the way
Follow my counsel, and you may yet re-
cover all you have lost
"No, not ALL There is one loss can
never make up" And as lie spoke he
bowed his head and covered bis face with