True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-08-18
AlgernOn the Merchant.
BY 7. s. ARTHUR.

BY 7. s. ARTHUR.
The day closed, and Algernon the mer.
chant. turned thoughfully from his count.
ing room, and took his way homeward.
Almost without intermission, since morn
ing, had he been absorbed in his money
schemes, gathering in golden sheaves Of
wealth from tho harvest fields of trade.
Am | happier for all this r. he said
questioning with himself; does the lar.
ger increase add to my pleasure Do
houses and lands bring peace Of mind, or
ships upon the ocean tranquil spirit p
Rather do not all these things multiply
our cares? Is my sleep sounder
than it was twenty years ago, or my heart
lighter I"
Away back into the past went his thots
as the last sentence was uttered, and he
remembered the time when, with the clio.
sing Of day, lie could dismiss the days
business, and find pure delight in the
humble home where wife and children
welcomed his return with gladness. Now,
his magnifcen! dwelling was as little en-,
joyed as prisoners cell, for his heart
and affections were not there, but winged
their way, with his thoughts afar off, TO
distant seas or strange lands, or lowering
about amid brilliant schemes golden with
the promise OF untold wealth.
Algernon sighed as he contrasted days
gone by, with the present, and his heart
acknowledged that he was happier then
than now. The merchant was in a soft
er mood than usual, and it was we'll for
the half starving woman, whose white
face looked into his imploringly, that it
was SO. She had thrown herself, almost
desperately in his way. just as he turned
from the crowded thoroughfare into less
frequented street, not far from his luxuri-
Gus home, and with this appeal
"lf you have children, sir, pity mine. I"
"What of your children r. asked the
merchant as he stood still, and looked in.
to the woman's pale pleading face. down
upon which the rays Of a gas lamp fell,
and showed its lines Of sorrow and suffer.
ing.
{" They are hungry, and l have no food
for them they are sick and can't get
them medicine"
els this true I" said the merchant half
in doubt. Such extremity seemed al-
most impossible to him.
"Come and see o, sir, come and see!"
Hope, doubt, anguish, all blended in that
mothers voice.
Where is your home," asked Alger-
non.
"0nly in the next street, was replied.
I" l will 60 with you. Lead the way"
Hurrying ON before with rapid feet
went the eager woman following with a
quicker movement than usual, came the
merchsnt They were soon at an old
pile Of buildings, not far from the place
Of meeting. The woman entered, and
Algernon 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 glistening eyes. lay upon an old
quilt on the floor; another wan-looking
child sat croucking in the chimney corner,
trying to warm her half naked body, by
the almost imperceptible heat of the dy.
ing Goals; whil@a third, not over six
years Of age, stood on the other side Of
the fireplace mumbling at bone from
which it was impossible to extract nutri-
iion.
at is even sol" said the merchant,
as he glanced in painful surprise about
che room. Then he gave the woman
money, and told her to 90 quickly for
food to nourish her children, and fuel 10
warm them. Nor did humanity end its
good work here. He went to store in
the neighborhood, and purchased beds
and bed clothing for the destitute family,
and saw these comforts conveyed to the
room they occupied, and the children af.
ter being warmed and fed, laid in them,
with their faces full Of wonder and glad
ness. ii f 8 sfG
In single half hour Algernon, The
merchant, changed the dreary home Of the
poor widow into what TO her and her chill
dren, was now a paradise Of comfort.-
There was glowing FIRE upon the hearth,
making the air rosy with light and genial
with warmth. Added to few broken
chairs and an old table, which made the
only furniture Of the apartment, were two
plain bedstsads, with beds and warm
clothing spread 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, aud
the mother held tightly crumpled in her
hand slip Of paper, containing an order
for fuel enough 70 las. the winter thro'.
4 {" May he who pities the widow and
the fathcrless be better to you than this,
even a thousand fold" said the woman,
as Algernon was leaving. Her ewes
were full Of tears, but The hearts warn
glow Of thankfulness was on her face and
in her voice. "And may the memory
Of this good deed 60 with you as 4 blss-
sing through life.''