The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-05-07

The old mans limbs, meanwhile, grew
numb and cold and he was wondering II 1t
were possible for him to get warm if he went
to bed when he heard a step on the stairs,
and presently saw a light shining through
the wide cracks around the door.
"Have you gone to bed, johnson 7"
1t was Mrs. Stones voice, and the old man
aroused himself to answer.
'No. thought I'd try a sitting freeze
first, said he, with a sad, playful humor.-
Anything wantingT
EYES," replied the woman, ''there is a man
down the stairs wishes to see you"
ITO see Inc ~ echoed the astonished ledger,
starting UP. 'FYou don't mean me"'
Mrs. Stone did mean him indeed, and he
fastened to shake the coverlid from his shout
ders and accompany her down stairs. All
was quiet in her room, Jacob had fallen asleep
by the stove, Supplied by the heat. The call
er was waiting in the dark entry way below,
and the woman held the lamp while Roger
went to speak with him.
The old man was tremulous with a vague
apprehension that something was going to
happen to him nor was this fear entirely dis
sipated when in the person who took his hand
and addressed him in kindly words, he recog-
nized the man who had SO lately helped him
to regain his footing in the slippery street.
q was afraid that l should not find you,"
said the visitor; ''but from the time that | left
youyour wordslOld Roger Johnson-around the
corner-third door up the alley kept ringing
in my ears, and l was finally compelled to
come back and look for you"
God bless you sir" articulated the shiver-
ing old man. This is an honor | know not
how Ihave deserved; you must have made a
mistake" Z
'Not at all. | thought you might have
need of assistance"
''True, true, | am poor enough, but"
Rogers voice failed him, and he began to
shake again as with the ague.
your are cold" said his new friend. 'Come
let's step n oyonder shop and talk over mat
ters.'
Roger hesitated.
THEY turn me out, sir, when I go there to
get warm"
''They will not turn you out replied the
other. so come along"
They entered a common re~freshnent saloon,
and by the countenance and protection OF his
new friend, Roger was permitted to enjoy a
seat by the stove.
s'You look like a man who has seen hard
Observed the stranger.
Il have suffered almost everything, sir, re-
piled johnson, in a subdued, unsteady tone.
II don't know why | am left to live"
but you have some idea of happiness in
store for you yet; no man is without that, you
know.
81 sometimes dream of such; a thing. |
have hopes, | have hopes, sir rainbow-colored
&c ,oO, ~ fnO R,t If'c oil HalucIOn
Nv castles are built in the air, and they are
forever tumbling down about my ears. l
know what would make me- happy, sir but
w hats the use Of talking? It's something |
have"
Speak out friend Johnson" cried the
stranger. 'tBut be careful not to place your
expectations too high. The Gods love modes
ty, you know"
"Well, sir, it is just this-nothing more or
less than three meals a day"
''Three meals a dayr
Il knew you'd call it ~extravagant," said
Roger, with a faint smile. But | would not
mind your rich dishes; only give me plenty
of bread and potatoes-with now and then a
bit of cheese, or salt fish,o may b a morsel of
smoked beef or dried bacon. Make me sure
of that, day after day, as long as | live, SO
that l can keep clear Of the almshouse, and
you'd see me a happy man, if there's not an
other in creation.
"And haven't you as much alreadyT' cried
the ~astonished stranger.
Roger replied that, with his poor health, it
difficult to get work that winter, and it
so painful to ask aims, that his subsistence
did not average half a meal a day.
'Good heaven!" exclaimed his friend Sin
all this wasteful city, is it possible that a man
can be found reduced to such cxtremities
One, too, whose happiness can be 50 cheaply
purchased-three poor meals a day."
sCheap, if n had the money, suggested
4 have the money, and by all that's pre-
cious, | will devote SO much of it to a pension
that will afford you this royal bliss"
30. sir don't Jest with me-"
81 am not jesting, friend johnson. To show
you how earnest | am-waiter, cook for this
man the choicest steak you have. Or would
you prefer mutton chops, or any thing else
on the bill? Speak for yourself
AS soon as the old man had sufficiently re-
from his amazement to realize his
good fortune he made a choice Of some good
fowl, with hot biscuit and coffee, because
these comforting items could be more readily
procured. .. .a
The sympathizing stranger-who, by the
way, was a fine looking mar OF forty, with
tasteful whiskers, and an exceeding pleasant
eye-seemed to enjoy the meal (although he
had tasted nothing) quite as much as the
Roger himself.
Still the old man was unable to realize that
he was to have the luxury ofsuch living every
day. 1t seemed so mnch like a fairy story or
.a5a.f-
'If you don't believe me, look here. This
is NV business card. You ought to know me
perhaps you do. | am rich enough to afford
any little caprice of this kind, as you will see
calling at my store in the morning.
Roger began to be convinced. By this time
the stimulus of food was having its effect,
and the happiness found expression in deep,
quiet laughter and tears.
s'Now, are you sure you are going.to be per-
fectly happy?" asked Mr.. Upton. Three
meals a day-all the world has that-but |
don't know two really happy men. Isn't there
something else you would hke?'
II forgot my Clothes" said Roger. 81
should ike a good warm coat, and whole
trousers and shoes, for this cold weather +;
but then if | have plenty to eat can manage
to keep warm" zs3
THE clothes yon shall have" r%eioined the
other. 81 had forgotten them myself. Wait
call a hack for me. You shall go to my
house, friend johnson, and I'll look over my
wardrobe this very evening, and see If can
you an outfit.
The old mans heart leaped with joy. Still
he seemed to be more than half inclined to be-
lieve that it was a trick, even after Mr.. Upton
took him with him into a hack.
give made sure of my supper, at any rate"
said Roger to himself. There's no trick about
that" r am 4. .aL L-.- .a.. p
They alighted before handsome brick
dwelling house, with a silver knob on the door
and a silver handle, and the name OF Upton
on a silver plate-as the old man saw by a
bright gaslght which burnt befor the just
painted steps.
The merchant entered by means OF a night
key, howing that he felt at home on the prem
;oso apd rracon+Iv the old man was intro