The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-06

| that, you know.
ST Isometimes dream of such thing.
have hopes, sir-rainbow colored, some
of 'em are too. But its all delusion. Ny
castles are built in the air, and they are
forever tumbling down about my ears.
I know what would make me happy, sir;
but what's the use of talking It's
something cannot have.
'Speak -out, friend Roger johnson, %
cried the stranger. "But be careful not
to place your expectations too high. The
gods have modesty you know"
i "Well, sir, it is just this nothing
more nor less-three meals day"
''Three meals day y
"I knew you'd call it extravagant, -
said Roger, with faint smile. "But I
would not mind your rich dishes; only
give me plenty Of bread and potatoes
2 with now and then bit of cheese or salt
fish, or may be a mersel of dried beef, or
smoked bacon. Make me sure of that,
day after day, as long as I live, SO that I
can keep clear of the al=shouse, and
you'd see happy, man, if there's not an
other in creation"
"And havn't you as much already p
cried the astonished stranger.
Roger replied that with his poor health
it was difficult to get work that winter,
and it was so painful to ask aims that
his subsistence did not average half q
meal day
t "Good heavens !" exclaimed his friend
aIn all this wasteful city, is it possible
f that one man can be found reduced tc
such extremes One, too, whose happi
ness can be SO cheaply purchased-thret
meals day!''
"Cheap. if one had the money" sug
gested Roger.
II have the money, and by all that
. precious, will devote SO much of it to
z pension that will afford you this roya
I bliss"
"Oh sir, don't jest with mel'
II am not jesting, friend johnson T.
D show you how earnest am--waiter, cool
> fo: this man the choicest steak you have
I Or would you prefer mutton chops, o
anything else on the bill? Speak TO
n yourself"
e AS soon as the old man had sufficient
s ly recovered from his amazement to re
n alize his good fortune, he made choice o
: some cold fowl, with hot biscuit and cof
: fee, because these comforting items coul
o be most readily proeured.
e The sympathising stranger-who, b.
# the way, was fine looking man of for
d ty, with tasteful whiskers, and an ex
f ceedingly pleasant eye-seemed to enjo
e the meal, although he had tasted nothing
d quite as much as a fairy story or
y dream.
: "If you don't believe me, look here
e this is my business card. You ought t
a know me-perhaps you DO. I am ric
IS enough to afford any little caprice Of thi
kind, as you will see by calling at m
store in the morning.
if Roger began to be convinced By thi
q time the stimulus of food was having il
n effect, and his happiness found expressio
It in deep, quiet laughter and tears.
al "Now, are you sure you are perfectl
happy?" asked Mr.. Upton. "Three meal
!. a day-all the world has that-but
don't know two really happy men. Is'r
d there something else you would like ?"
81 forgot my clothes, said Roger.
o should like good warm coat, and who
Z trousers and shoes, for this cold weatae
but then if I have plenty to eat I ca
n manage to keep warm
,e "The clothes you shall have, rejoine
the other
4 II had forgotten them myself. Waite
n call hack for nae. You shall go to m
house, friend johnson, and I'll look owe
my wardrobe this very evening, and sc
= if can't furnish you with an outfit"
: The old mans heart leaped with jo,
= Still he seemed to be more than half il
clined to believe it was trick, even aft
:, Mr.. Upton took him with him into
:, hack.
. "rve made sure of my supper, at ar
rate" said Roger to himself "There
4 no trick about that"
q They alighted before handsome brio
" dwelling house, with silver knob on IL
( door, and a silver bell handle, and the nan
" Of Upton on silver plate-as the o.
70 man saw by bright gas-light that burr
in ed before the just painted steps.
The merchant entered by means of
!, night-key, showing that he felt at hon
on the premises, and presently the o
- man was introduced into snug, little
: brary, where, ameng other comfort
:. there was fire glowing brightly in Il
= CRATE.
'A The adventure looked more and mo
- like reality; and, when with his ov
It T hands, the merchant brought from an a
= joining room, coats, vests, pantaloons, al
'e shirts, all good, and whole, some scarce
:, worn at all. and told him to choose VIII
- suited him best, Roger chuckled with
deep, inward joy, scarcely clouded with
doubt.
mi "ButI ought to have good wash al
shave before getting into anything respe
4 table in the shape of clothing"
n 'sI thought of that,so ordered war
bath. which will be ready for you in
few minutes. am determined to see
70 it is possible to make one man perfect
happy"
ed "You've chosen promising subject
said johnson, with smile of quiet glt
mt ''I've good d-natured capacity that wa
o. and if any man is suffered to apprecia
,r- comfort, can set up the modest claim!
So the old man was put into bat
en- then barbered by skillful fellow with
razor and shears; and finally clad in ga
1ora hoan roopaofo \