Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-07-28

he was some poor devil who had small
debt to claim from some fashionable Gus.
toner, added good naturedly. How
ever, jump up beside me. and III take
you for nothing till get a fare.''
The outraged man of fashion put his
hand to his pocket instinctively, TO con
vince the cabman that he had a purse
and money; but finding neither, he open
ed the door for himself, and stepped in,
calling cut authoritatively to the driver
TO be off without further parleying.
Meanwhile Lawrencehad rested on the
rich mans soft feather bed and downy
pillows, and when he awoke after re-
freshing night, found himself beneath a
costly damask canopy, in a itch furnish
ed chamber, with double windows and
heavy curtains to keep out the cold. A
cheerful fire was brightly burning, and
the careful man-servant, who had come
several times on tip toe TO see if his mas
ter was awake, now inquired respectfully
if he felt better, and whether he should
take his chocolate in bed or prefer rising.
"In bed!" echoed Lawrence, dreami
ly, hoping bis own voice would enlight-
en- him as TO his ahereabou!s.
The man retired as noislessly as he
had come.
This is all Dream" said poor Law
renee. What a bitter mockery! Or
have awoke TO another state of being,
in which hunger and poverty are un-
known? Oh, that my wife and children
were here to warm themselves by this
fre!' and he fixed his eyes almost tear
fully on the bright flames, while his poor.
thin fingers touched the bed hangings TO
feel if they were real. Well, its some
thing even to fancy one has been warm,
and taken nourisLment, added he, with
his quiet, hard learnt philosophy.
Presently the man came back with the
chocolate, but followed this time by Vii
liers, who had, by degrees, obtained a
clue to the whole mystery; and highly
Interested by the whole affair, he wish
ed to ascertain how far his fellow suffer
er's sensations had been akin to his own,
and accordingly. dismissed the attendant
saying he would attend TO the invalid
himself.
The sight of his own clothes on Vii.
liers' back. brought the poor clerk at
once back to the realities of his situation;
and his first impulse was to exclain,
"Good God, I must have taken some
body elee's clothes. Oh. believe me. it
was quite accidental! But. alas! when
a man gives way to so insane tempta
ton as that of self destruction-"
Here his emotion prevented his con-
tinuing; but he was about TO get out of
the bed in which he perceived he had
no right to be lying, though he had not
the faintest notion how be had come
there.
"Stay where you are, my dear fellow"
Villiers, handed him the tray on which
stood the cup of chocolate. accompanied
by delicate roll; "and Go you comfort
the inward man while 1 set my outward
man 10 rights, and then we will have some
talk
After Villiers had hastily doffed his
borrowed garment. and assumed an ele.
giant dressing gown, he came and sat
down by the fire, and entreated his COM
panion to tell him why he had attempted
to take away his life, promising to detail
his with equal sincerity; added, in cheer
full tone, "For l Do not think we shall be
in hurry TO repeat The experiment-eh,
brother? 1 thought the water devilish
cold, and somehow, 1 feel a wonderful
relish for life this morning"
81 feel no relish for life," said Law
renee, sadly; 'but acknowledge it is my
duty to live. and that ought not to have
deserted those who depend on me-"
The poor clerk then related his simple
but narrowing tale; and, when he had
finished, asked in turn, how Mr.. Villiers,
who had everything about him his heart
could wish. could possibly have desired
to put an end to his existence.
81 am ashamed to tell you." said the
rich man, "but 1 was surieited with
everything. However, l know better
now, and l sincerely hope that you will
preserve an equally salutary horror of
cold water as myself-especially as you
will be better off in FUTURE
You forgot that have lost my stu
alton" said Lawrence, mournfully.
"You have obtained another" said
Villiera; $50 it's the gain of a loss.
have long wanted trusty secretary and
an almoner. You shall become both"
al must be dreaming" said Law
renee.
"No indeed. my dear fellow" replied
the rich man. 81 do but discharge the
debt of gratitude 1 owe you."
cove me?" echoed Lawrence: "then
am dreaming! What gratitude can
you possibly owe me %
Gratitude for having taught me a new
sensation-namely, that life is sweet when
we can do good to Others" said the rich
man, extending his hand to his new friend.
"And now let's send for your wife and
chii1ron.' !