The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-11-07


must, but dreaded to, ask a favor
one foot forward--oue hand extend
et forward to the Iatch--the scapt
shawl falling closely over the cling
ing dress-alasl poor soull
She turned weariy--her eyeIda
fell--her lipe qniverod, and all over
her came that hopeless, utterly dis
heartened manner, that wraps one
sometimes like cloud.
turned to my desk as the door
was shut and took up my ledger
again. No use--'r,nble with the
second, the third--over and over
went unwearyingly--l had better
have been spending tho time listen
ing TO the story of the poor woman.
For thero she stool, almost as pa,
pably In my spirits vieicn as she
had in reality, her mournful eyes re
/ preaching me.
You were wrcng," whispered
eonscipnc,.
But my head, my hear,!'T plead.
ell. "Sorrowinl news had come 10
mel have heard only tales of mis-
lery all the morning; mendicants
abonnd-tears rain --troubles come
like hail, aud l'm tired OF giving -
Here's letter from u sick woman
wants me 10 tske her son--she II
going to die--he 10 everything hon.
eat and capable. ETC., etc --don',
ioubt it 10 the least-but c,nno,
help her in this way. | have taken
the care on my mind, however, viii
you try and get him a place hay,
AZ written. Another letter from q
ssilor--hss fallen from the mast O
one ofmy vessels--must look to me
etc., etc. have attended to hi,
ca0c; also 10 that of a clerk bad y
crushed in the dock. A telegraph
announcing the l0es OF the entire car
go in the wreck OF the Antelope. lies
on the dcsk--I have sickness al
ihome--I am not we'll myselt--ough'
| not to be excused for my impa
! tience.
Bnt il wonld not do, this striving
for quiet conscience; had given
tia blow, and it wrilhyd and smarted
had said, perhaps, to one OF Gol't
poor, Go uncontrolled" and my
soul was uneasy. In vain at
tempted to continue my accounts. -
saw on the page the long rows o
figures, truly; but ever beside them
as counted YEARLY. came that pale
face-,hat face Of judgemens--thai
witness Of my unisithfulness.
At last ! turned from my office
and sought the street. Unconscious.
ly peered up and along The crowd
Ell avenues Of fashion, in search o,
n faded shawl, poor old bonnet and
thin bent f lure. wac searching
Tor the woman, repenting--but my
search was was IN vain. returne
to my home, and burying to the
sick chamber, found nv little ones
improved. the fever flush and the
deadly white Of disease gone, and in
their stead the soft rose hue OF com,
ing health. Perhaps that poor wo.
man bent above sick child; what
did she wanl2 what could she need?
why did she haunt me sol
could scarcely touch my dinner.
AMI determined. feeling 30 unwell
to remain at home that afternoon,
and res; so | berook me to a lounge
in the parlor, as it was darker there,
and lay down, vainly striving to
sleep. My wife, taking advantage
of the fine day, and our chili's i'm
proved condition, had decided 10
walk ont with our two daughters
Eta and Mary. Jast as had
closed my eys, I heard The rus,line
OF silks-and my vile and dangh
terra stood before mo. I had never
taken much notice OF dress, but at
that moment, the beauty and CON
fort OF their attire struck me pain
iully. What soft harnonies of col
or! how rare and pure seemed the
the silken and the velvet folds, the
costly furs, the delicste draperies!--
Thoy, who had never wanted for one
little hour. stood before me - hnt
who could read tho future. There,
close beside US all, was the poor IA
ded shawl. the poor lilitnl figure,
the Wild implUring ey's.
"Good bye, Robert" said my
wife, as sho took the bank bill for
which she had entered--"don't go
out again, your hand burma, and You
look leverish. I'm shure you arc
not well"
Il won't 20 ont" said, "unlcss
! feel beiter;' and 30 she left mo.
Again and again | strovc TO sleep;
but the gentle minister OF rect to the
weary wouli not come tn me. e..
rrything about me seemed endowed
with mysterious voices.
"Looli at us" sail the pic;urss
hanging in their massive irames. -
"Dont you rcRrmber how much we
cost, aud how can You turn awayr'
8 Look at my roses, my RISES, my
glorious colors,' cried the c,rpet -
8 No paupers ioot has pressed my
Welding surface"-"nor has the beg.
gar luxnriated in us," whispered the
great arm chair -"nor have sickly,
,,ra,ynr, or aorrouc,I f.cps onca