The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-04-08
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE :
by MRS. NJ. A. pENSISoN.

A poor man sat at his window-no-I am
wrong; il was tho window of his hired
house. Ii was a small mansion, a little ten.
ement painted white, and surrounded by
richer establishments that seemed TO lonk
down with sort of crimson contempt upon
thoir humble neighbor. The occupants OF
those stately houses were very much annoy
cd by the simple little house. and tho sim
pie little children that played on the steps.
andgenerally kept their curtains do wn on the
side that looked toward them.
But. as said before, a poor man sat at
one of the windows overlooking tho street.
He was u thoroughly noble looking man
too, with handsome Roman features. aud an
eye like hawk. With tho exception OF
his coarse clothes. no was much more gen
tlomanly and dignitied in his appearance
than any merchant in that princelv row.
pile of bricks had been empticd quite
near his doorway; they werO for repairs.
As this man looked out, no eaw two or three
children with his own little ones, humming
and buzzing about the bricks. Their dainty
littlo hands wero eager to fashion houses
and bridges, aud all sorts of monentary ar
chitecture. Suddenly the poor man DO.
thought him of u pastimo of his own whom
he WIS child, and his heart having retain
ed the pure aud sweet emotions of youth
through the cares and bardships OF mature
life, he hastily threw on his hat, and going
down he taught then u new trick. II was
this ito place row OF bricks on end quito
noar to each other, forming line; by
touching the last ono an impetus is given to
overy brick by its next neighbor, and the
row is presently swept down in regular
order. The children clappod their hands
| ,,,,I oh ind th,,s l.
neighbors, coming to their windows, saw how
tho little ones were employ ed, taking lessons
in amusement from poor and almost un-
known man
"What fool !" said one snoeringly al
should think tho man was an ovorgrown
baby. SEQ him laugh Sec him play i
Shame on him; grown man; We must call
our children in."
And from all those windows went the
laugh and tho snoer. Men with gold tasseled
caps set on pcrrumed locks, laughed the
poor man To scorn women in beautifully
embroidered robes turned down the corners
CT their pretty lips, and the children were
speedily called in.
| Years psssod--tho poor man had grown
rich. Wealth had como to him, though not
through toll but it did not corrupt his
good heart, his simple tastes. Still he loved
Children and their sports. He built himself
splendid mansion, however, and lived in
the style his great revenues permitted.
Again, as in days of yore, there was
great load Of bricks loft in the vicinity OF his
home. Again little children gathered to
| play house, and again the man sat at his
window watching them. Yes, it was bis
window nova window whose glass was
costly plato-and he sat there no longer the
tenant of a hired house. in coarse clothes,
but attired in the richest of broadcoth-
Again, as he looked at the busy, beautiful
group below, his heart kindlcd with the
memories of old, and he felt himself com.
polled to 60 down and teach the juveniles
his brick game So, in minute after he
stood IN their midst, and stooping picked up
the bricks, arranged them, and then set them
in motion.
How the children laughed and their bright
eyes sparkled! The noise brought the ar
istocratic neighbors to their windows.
"Well, to be sure There's Mr.. b,
that wealthy gentleman opposite, playing
with tho children. Isn't it pretty sight,
doar 2"
Yes, and what fine looking man he is,
to be sure. What freshness of heart he
must have to enjoy their little game with so
much zest declare, it's quite touching !"
80 u IS they say ne has all OF two mil
! lion.-Hasn't he a fine figure :"
"SpIeudid do SEQ him clap his hands
I declare it rcAlly brings the tears to my
eyes,"
4 "Wipe 'em sway-wipe 'em nway. Mat
tie they're crocodile tears cried young
STRIPPING Of seventeen.
His sister, a maiden lady of an unutter-
able age, looked round Indignantly.
Fact, sis they're real crocodile tears,
and I'll prove il. When was seven years
old that same gentleman came out of a
little white house and taught us children
the same trick. And. sis, you and mother
both called him an old fool as distinc "
remember; and !. for one. received tre-
mendous injunction not to speak TO his chill
dren or notice them in any way"
Nonsense, Fred !" said his sister, turning
red.
al knew it was nonsense, but you did it,
You called him all sorts of names a ridic-
ulous old goose, grown up baby, and
don't know what. Now here's the same old
fellow up to the same old trick and oh,
gracious there never was such beautiful
charming and delightful scene Really
ought TO write poem on it-guess l will
aud entitle it Then and now ! or, The