Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-26
Bread upon the Waters.


are gone. Here We are, .pE0rn out with age.
all our children removed from us by the hand
Of death, and ere long We must be the inmates
Of the Poor-house. Where, now, is all the
bread you have cast upon the waters"
The old, white haired man looked up at his
wife. He was, indeed, bent down with years,
but age sat trcmblingly upon him. Jacob
Manfred bad been Q comparatively wealthy
man. and while fortune had smiled upon him
he had ever been among the first to lend lis
tening ear and n helping hand to the call Of
distress. But now misfortune was his. Of
his four boys not one was left. Sickness and
failing strength found him with but little, and
they left him pcnniless. An oppressive en-
barge upon the shipping business had been
the first weight upon hrs head, and other mis-
fortunes came in painful succession. Jacob
and his wife were all alone. and eaunt poverty
looked thrm coiiiy in the face.
"Don't rcpinc, Susan" said the old man.
True. We are poor, but we are not yet for
sakcn."
Not forsaken, Jacob? Who is there to
help us now!'
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling finger
towards heaven.
" An, Jacob, know God is our friend; but
we should have friends here. Look back and
see how many you have bcfriended in days
long past. You cast your bread upon the wa.
tcrs with free hand, but It has not yet re-
turned to yoH.
Hush, Susan, you forget what you say.
10 be sure may have hoped that some kind
hand Of earth would lift me from the cold
depths Of want: but ] co not expect it as re-
ward for anything ! may have done. If !
helped the unfortunate in days gone by, have
ha1 fall in, Nhak 4 hawa
done my duty to my fellows o, of all the
kind deeds have done to my suffering fel.
lows, ! would not for gold have one Of them
blottcd from my memory. All, my fond wife,
tits the memory Of the good done in life that
makes old age happy. Even now, can hear
again the dear warm thanks Of those whom
have bc(ricnded, and again l can see their
smiles"
"YcS, Jacob" returned the wife, in lower
tone, 81 know you have been good, and in
your memory you can be happy; but, alas !
there is n present upon which we must look
there is Teaiity upon which we must dwell.
We must Jeg Jor JOOd, or Stdrre"
The old man started, and deep mark Of
pain was drawn across his features.
"BW" he replied, with quick shudder.
No, Susan-wc are--'
lie hi STATED, snd big tear rolled down his
iurrowcd check.
"Wc are going to the poor-house!
60, God! thoughtss0 !" fell from the poor
wifc's lips. as she covered her face with her
hands. 81 have thought so, and have tried
to scheol myself to the thought; but my poor
heart will not bear i'll"
DO not give up, Susan" softly urged the
old man, laying his hand upon her arm. eft
makes but little difference to as now. We
have not long to remain on earth, and let ua
not wear out our last days in useless repinings.
Come, come"
But when-when-shall we go?"
NOw-to-day."
Then God have mercy on US"
lie will" murmured Jacob.
The old couple sat for while in silence
When they were aroused from their painful
thoughts, it was by the stopping Of q wagon in
front of the door. A man entered the room
where they sat. lie was the keeper Of the
poor-houSc.
"Come, Mr.. Manfred" he said, "thc select.
men have managed to crowd you into the poor.
house. The wagon in ut the door, and you
can get ready AZ soon as possible"
Jacob Manfred had not calculated the
strength he would need for this ordeal. There
was coldness in the very tone and manner Of
the man who had come for him that went like
an icc.bolt to his heart, and with deep groar
he sank back in his seat.
"Comc, be in hurry" impatiently urged
the keeper.
at that moment heavy, covered carryal
drove up to the door.
Is this the house of Jacob Manfred?"
The question was asked by man who en-
tered from the carryall. He was kind look.
ing man about forty years Of age.
"Then they told me truly" uttered the new
conner. Il" Are you from the aiInS-houses hC
continued, turning towards the keeper.
"And you are after these peoples"
ayes"
"Thcn you may return. Jacob Manfred
goes to no poor-house while live"
The keeper gazrd inguiStivcly into the fea
lures Of the man who addressed him, and ther
he left the house.
"Don't you remember mep" exclaimed the
stranger, graSping the old man by the hand
" cannot call you to my memory now"
Do you remember Lucius WilliamS?"
Wlllnms?" repeated Jacob. starting uT
from his chair and gazing earnestly into tho
face of the ma1tbefore him.
"Y Yes, Jacob Manfred-Lucius Williams
That little boy whom, thirty years ago, you
saved from the house of correction; that poor
boy who you kindly took from the bonds o.
the law, and placed on board one of your Owr
vessels"
And are you-"
"Ycs-ycs, am the man whom YOU made
You found me rough stone from the hands
of poverty and bud example. Itwas you who
brushed oil the evil, and who first led me tc
the sweet waters Of moral life and happiness
| have prO6ted by the lessons you gave me in
carly youth. and the warm spark which your
kindness lighted up in my bosom has grown
brighter and brighter ever since. With an af.
iluence for life have settled down to enjoy
the remainder of my days in peace and quiet.
ness, with such Of good works as my hands
may iiud to do. ] heard Of your losses and
bcreavements. / know that the children oi
your flesh are all gone, but am q child oil
your bounty-a child Of your kindness, and
now you shall be still my parent Come, |
have home and heart, and your presence
will make them both warmer, brighter and
happier. You made my youth all bright and
will not see your old age doomed to dark
ness"
Jacob Manfred tottered forward and sank
upon the bosom Of his preserver. He could
not speak his thanks COr they were too heavy
for words ~ .r
When he looked up again be sought hla wife.
"Susan, he said, in choking. trembling
tone. "my bread has come back 70 me"
Forgive me. Jacob y, --4.-..- -,
"No, no, SUsans it Is not who must fues