Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-06-12
Yf(iisttllalIed(5'
Bread upon the Wters.
A SKETCH FROM Irc.

All Jacob, now you Sc how all your
hopes are gone. Here we are. worn out with
age-all our children ren noved from US by tic
hand of death, and ereaona we must be tic
inmates Of the poor h; ,se. Where, now, Is
all the bread You have cas, upon the waters
The old, white.haire,,i man looked UP at MS
wife. He was, indeel, bent down with years
and age sat tremLlingly upon him. 'aco'
Manfred had been a comparatively wealthy
man, and while fortune had smiled upon him
he had ever been among the first to lend a
listening ear and 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
embargo upon the shipping business had been
the first weight upon his head. and other mis-
fortunes came in painful succession. Jacob
and his wife were all alone, and gaunt poverty
looked them collly in the face.
"Dou't repinc. Susan said the old man.
"True we are poor, but we are not yet Tor
saken"
"Not forsakcn, jacob? Who is there to
help us now?'
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling finger
towards heaven.
'Ah, Jacob, know God is our friend !;
but we should have friends here. Look back
and see how many you have befriended in
days long past. You cast your b'r.l "ioa
the waters with free hand, but it has MT
yet returned to yoa."
"Hush, Susan, you forget whit you say
To be sure may haze hoped that some kind
hand of earth woal! lift me from the cold
depths Of utter want but do rot expect IT
as a reward for anylhn e | ma! ave done.
If have helped the ,Is:i;rt2lat,. in days gone
by. have had my iul: r=wald kr owing
that have done ms trt; t" my fellows.
Ofail the kan lc.d, have Il, he to my
suffering l,Il,~s, w,ul nol or gold bave
one of them Lio;icl from my memory. All,
my fond wife, It's the memory Of the good
done in lie that max Is I'D a:c Happy. Even
now, ! can lear again the warm thanks OF
those whom | have bc;ricnded, and again |
can see their smiles.
YES, jacob returned the WIFE, in lower
tone, " know you have been good and in
your memory you can be happy; hrt, alas !
there is present upon which we must look
there is reality upon which we must dwell,
We must beg for food, or star:-c! -
The old man started, AID 4 deep mark o'
pain was drawn across his features.
Beg !" he rep'icd, with a quick shuddcr
"No, Susan-wc are
He hcstatc,, and Il big tear rolled down
his furrowed check.
ave are what, .Iacob?''
awe arc go;a- to th: poor house -
go, God thought so = fell from the poor
wife's lips, as sic eoyccl her face with her
hands. g lave iEou.!.t so, and have tried
to school myself to the thought: but my poor
heart will not bear it ~
"Do not give up Sassa,f softly urged The
old man. laying his hanl upon arm. cit
makes but littie difference to us now. We
have not long TO remain on Garth, and let us
not wear out our lat days in useless rcp'l-
ings Come, come
But wncn-when-shall We go?'
Now-.o.day.'
"Thcn God have mercy on US!
g He will murmurcd Jacob.
That old couple sat for a VILE in silence
When they were aroused from their painful
thoughts it was by the stopping Of a wagon
in front of the door A man entered the room
where they sat. lie was the keeper Of the
poor.house.
"Comc, Mr.. Manfred" lie said, the select
men have managed to crowd yon into the
poor-house. Tie wagon is at the door, and
yoa can get ready as soon as possible. .