St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-02-10

| did not like to see him there. He
was too young and handsome man
His chronological developments were
decidedly good. lie had fresh com
plexion, blue eyes, light curly hair ;
but lack of decision characterized his
countenance-want of firmness was
apparent in his manner.
He was reading a newspaper.
THAT is not one of your paupers,"
said to the gentleman in charge.
Il am sorry to say that he is, sir"
he replied.
so young ! so promising in ap-
pcarance-l really cannot understand
it, was my reply.
Nor could any one not acquainted
with his history" was the reply, but
let us resume our walk. By and by
come this way he will enter into con
versation with you he is not back
ward about it. don't know what to
make of the man, really
But how old is he ?"
Twenty-nine years he looks even
younger. | fear he has lost all proper
ambition and it may be he will end
his life in the work-house."
We wandered along from one room
to the other The establishment was
perfect most of the paupers were old
and intirm many Of them looked
shame-taced on being noticed. Poor
old men suppose they had no
children to care for them.
In one of the Offices was the model
of ship. 1t was a splendid thing.
From keel to masthead there was no
fault i'll her. The guns were beauti.
fully carved. Officers stood on her
quarterback, sailors in her rigging.
Every coil Of rope, every block, every
shroud was exquisite in finish and
proportion. The boats were secured,
the sails all set Truly she was
regal object Behind this vessel was
a painting representing the distant
port.
My natural question was, Who
did that -
The poor fellow is dead" was the
reply. He was a genius and
scholar. The noblest looking man,
sir, that you ever laid eyes on. You
have seen that fine stone mansion on
Sedgwick street? Well, sir, he built
that house ten years ago, and paid
thirty thousand dollars for it, and vet,
five years after he was in the poor
house"
What did it, sir 2"
"Rum."
That was the brief reply. Express
sive was it not ?
Yes, sir, rum The last time he
went out (his eyes were very much
inhamed, the doctor of the institution
handed him dollar, saying, Bob, if
you drink any more liquor, you will
lose your eyes,"
Bob looked at the dollar, then turned
to the doctor with most expressive
glance as he said,
"Then farewell, eyes |"
Horrible, wasn't it? In a months
time they were digging his grave. 1t
was in the corner OF the churchyard.
Nobody followed the miserable body.
1t laid in a pine coffin, and we only
said as we heard of it poor old Bob!'
That's all the epitaph drunkard gets,
sir!"
Fifteen minutes after was hunting
up the parsonage who had interested
me SO much. found him in the gar
den, hoeing potatoes.
We talked together on agriculture.
His fine language astonished me. |
felt that he had had an intimate ac-
quaintance with books, with men,
with nature.
We walked along, he showing me
the products Of the soil. Presently
we came to an arbor, overhung with
grapes, and sat down together.
Pardon me-" said l, if take the
liberty of asking what brought you
here at so youthful an age His eyes
dropped, he raised them again as he
answered.
Rum :"