Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-08-12

" All ! yes | did ard little did ! then /
think my gray hairs would come to this
And the feeble old man laid down his fish |
and sighed.
Thank Heaven! Cheer up" said the
stranger, satisfied with the answer, while
triumphant yet sad smile lighted up his hand
some features Throw off your apron, old
man, aud follow me
If. Then you buy my fish, sir2
Buy your fish Yes, old man, I'll buy
your fish. Come TO the Astor House imme-
diatcly aud inquire for Judge -. of Ken
tucky | will sec you there"
With the basket Of fish in one hand and his
staff in the other, the old man wendcd his
way to the Astor House as quick y as his fee
bic limbs would permit.
The stranger was seated at table with va
rious papers spread before hun Something
painful evidently occupied his mind for his
high forehead was buried in his hands and his
eyes were fixed on vacancy. Suddenly he
arose pacing the room hurriediy, broke forth
in words
Fifteen yearsago, yes fifteen years this very
day | was an outcasi aud q heggar Thrust
forth into the street--branded Ms o Ihiet
Yet ] was innocent, Heaven knows but the
world condemned me- Oh, God when |
recall that time when housclcss, homeless,
fricndless, fell on my knees aud implored
thee 20 take the breath thou hadst given--if
| sinned before thee then may be forgiven
for what was life to me then? Yet placed
my trust in thee, thanks to my sainted mother
who is in heaven and thou dds't illume the
future, and make my path easy. Yes have
lived to see the destroyer Of my youth a sup
plant at my feet publicly proclaim his own
guilt, for which ! suffered. But could that
atone for the havoc it made in this burning
heart2 Never never That heart was
broken, wasted and grew old before its time
May Heaven forgive him as do as well as
those, who in spite Of my protestations,
spurned me from their doors. Poor old
man! thank Heaven the time has come when
| may repay the debt Of gratitude ! owe thee.
Thou gave me hope when all else had failed.
Yes our fortunes have ehanged--changed in
deed"
The stranger ceased, and resuming his seat,
seemed impatient for the coming of the fish
monger.
At last servant announced man with a
basket of FISH which he said His honor had
purchased in the market
Show him to my room, said the stranger
"Show him to your room, yer honor p
Shure it's a man with basket Of fish :"
81 bid you ask him to my room, sir &c
fetch him Immediately"
Well, faix. man, that's quare - mutteret
the TIibernian, as he bid the old man follow
+ him.
"Here's his honor, the great judge from
Kentucky, with his nager servants and the
= best men and women in the house bowing and
seraping to him these two weeks past telling
me, Jimmy Fairand, to show that poor divi
of fisherman to his private parlor. Troth
ould gentleman, and that is quare enough
r Hist and scrape your feet said he as h'
5 ushercd him in, d" and mind how you speak t.
his honor
! BE seated, sir" said the stranger, rising
, and handing chair to the oid man, who stoo'
- wouderingy clutchiDg his basket of fish.
Look at me, said the judge, drawing hi
: form forward so as to face him, and say die
: you ever see me?'
d Indeed, do not know, SIR replied tn
/. other, scanning his features. 81 may hav
{ seen you in other days If so, you are for
/ gotten in the changes that have come owe
n me. But if you will pay me for my fish, siI
e shall be much Obliged, for ! have far to g
a. to reach home"
IS "stay; never mind your fish--throw theI
e out of the window said the stranger. "Bu
e look on me and recall to mind if you can, tn
o events Of this day fifteen years ago. Do 20
Q not know me now
ALAS !" said the old man, "my mcmor
It has failed"
Sc Do you not remember" said the stranl
N er, Tightening his grasp upon him, d" that o
% that day there came to your door, in -
st Square, half starved beggar, to whom yo
1t gave food aud money, and whose broken heal
3 you checred by believing him innocent, aft'
listening to the story of his wrongsY u
er you remember, you spread before him ba
e. Of silver dollars?'
81 do-I do aud the foolish youth too
f. but three of them. All now | remembe
ed he took but three, when | would have give
I'd him hundred Did you know the poor boy
tn " Look on me old man" said the strange
ok rising " | am that beggar."
n You - exclaimed the 6shmonger, startiI
ut back with astonishment.
Yes, | am Now | am able to discharl
at that never-forgotten debt. Since the hour
ed parted from your door, Heaven has smiled (
at all my undertakings. am rich and homo
ed. became acquainted with your misfc
nd tunes but could not learn where you wer
Henceiorth you labor no more. My purse
Ill yours take what you wish and go with II
th Be as one of my family. My care shall
for your comfort while you live, and. il Hea
all en- should call me first, | will provide Tor 70
future years"
nd BY strange reyerses Of fortune now Of di
'er " occurrence, the wealthy merchant had
come reduced to abject poverty, while t
Ith sometime beggar at his door had risen, sing
lat handed, by energy, industry, and untiri
ut, perseverance, to wealth and high honors.
'ly Even should good deed miss its rewa
7. in this world, it will not lack its recompel
in- in another,
ar 800
ne --KEEp CooL.-Mr John Atfeld, Prof
ot. sor of Practical Chemistry to the Lond
Sn.iatv uavc IN this quhia