The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-11-09
What's the Difference.

tenement, painted white, and surrounded b.
richer establishments, that seemed TO lool
down with contempt upon their humble
nelghbor. The occupants of those statel.
homes were very much annoyed by th'
simple little children that played on th'
steps, and generally kept the curtain
down OH the side that looked towards them
But, as SAID before, poor man sat a
one of the windows overlooking the street
He was thoroughly noble looking man
too, with handsome Roman features, and ar
eye like a hawk. With the exception o
his coarse clothes, he was much more gen
tlemanly and dignifed in his appearance
tran any merchant in that princely row.
A pile of bricks had been emptieL quits
near his doorway they were for repairs
As this man looked ont, he saw two or three
little children with his own little ones, hum.
ming and buzzing about the bricks TheiI
houses and bridges and all sorts of momen-
,ary architecture. Suddenly the poor man
bethought him of pastime OF his own
when he was child, and his heart having
retained the pure and sweet emotions oi
youth through the cares and hardshIps oi
mature life, he hastily threw on his hat, and
going down he taught them new trick. Ii
was this to place row of bricks on end,
quite near to each other, forming a line
by touching the last one an impetus is CIV
en- to each brick by its next neighbor, and
the row is presently swept down in regular
order. The children clapped their hands
and shoued so loudly that some of the rich
neighbors coming 10 their windows, saw
how the little ones were employed, taking
lessons in amusements from poor and al
most unknown man.
'What fool p said one sneeringly. 'l
shoult 'Ai"k the man an overgrown baby.
See h.- augh! See him play Shame on
him-gTown man-we must call our chill
dren in"
And from all those windows went the
laugh and the sneer. Men with gold tassel-
led caps set on perfumed locks, laughed
the old man TO scorn; women in beau
tifuly embroidered robes turned down the
corners of their pretty lips, and the children
were speedily called in.
Years passed. The poor man had grown
rich. Wealth had come 10 him, not through
toll but it did not corrupt his good heart
his simple tastes. Still he loved children
and their sports. He built himself splen
did mansion, however, and lived in style
his great revenues permitted.
Again, as in the days of yore, there wa:
great load of bricks left in the vicinity o.
his home. Again little children gathered &c
"play house," and again he man sat watch
ing them at his window. Yes, it was his
window nova window whose glass was
costly plate; and he sat there no longer the
tenant of hired house, in coarse clothes
but attired in the richest broadcloth. Again
as he looked at the busy, beautiful group
below, his heart kindled with the memorie:
of old, and he felt compelled to go down
and teach the juveniles his brick game. Sc
in moment after he stood in their mids
and STOPPING picked up the bricks, arran
I ged them, and set them in motion.
How the children laughed, and thei
bright eyes sparkled The noise brough
the arlstocratic neighbors TO their windows
"Well, TO be sure There is Mr.. B.
that wealthy gentleman opposite, playing
with the children. Isn't it very pretty
sight, dear p'
eyes; and what fine looking man he is
to be sure. What freshness Of heart hi
must have to enjoy their game with s,
much zest declare it's quite touching q
$50 it is they say he has all OF two mil
lions. HASN'T he fine figure ?"
"Splendid Do see him clap his hands
declare it really brings the tears TO m,
eyes"
"Wipe 'em away, wipe 'em away, Mat
tie; they're crocodile tears !" cried youni
stripping of seventeen.
His sister, maiden lady OF an unuttera
Bile age, looked around Indignantly.
"Fact, sis; they're real crocodile tears
and I'll prove it. When was seven year
old, that same gentleman came out of
little white house and taught us children
that same trick. And, sis, you and mothe
both called him an 'old fool = as distinct,
remember, and |, for one, received ire
mendous injunction not to speak to hi
children o. notice them in any way"
"Nonsense, Fred !' said his sister turning
red.
''I know it was nonsense but you die il
You called him all sorts of names, 'ridic
ulous old goose a grown up baby and
don't know what. Now here's the SAM
old fellow up 10 the same old trick and oh
gracious, there never was such beautiful
charming, delightful scene; really ough
to write poem on it-gGess will, and en-
title it Then and Now;' or The Fool Grow
Wiser as he Grows Richer Which woul
be the best, sis p'
"Hold your tongue ~ sobbed the lady
Fred's sarcasm was not misplaced.
What is called the poor mans simplicit
is enutled the rich mans sublimily.
was the same noble, tender, loving, grea
heart, standing by the little ones in hi
coarse coat: jeered at and insulted with i'm
punity by the rich, that now bends his fin
broadcloih TO the dust in order to be on
level with the little ones, but not to hi
neighbor Poor all his nohleness was br