The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-09-15

God bless Won, sir. said the yontb,
and your kind lady May you and
yours never know nhAs it Is to want
And with a heart iull Of gratitude
wllh ther images So impressed on h.s
memory that time nor change could
never Blot them out, 81 babe ajioa 10
TIE dwsllers in that stately mansion,
and turned his back on the city
And years olel away and the
proud manson and It's beautiful
grounds had disappeared Commerce
bad usurped their place. The ner-
chants vile bad died, and he was for
gotten. The Young stranger had new
er returned, aud none, perhaps were
hying 10 ask OF care ior has fate. Flf-
teen years had come and gone since the
day that houseless pennyless, and
heart broken yonth came beggRr,
seeking employment and asking for
food OF that happy couple Fifteen
years How many a fortune they make
or mar How many proud heart
they bend low, and stricken ones up
raise.
Within a few months Of the time we
write an evident stranger 10 ths city
was sauntering one morning, through
the Washington market. He WAS
about the middle age, of tall, com
manding figure, regular, manly features,
and elegantly dressed. AS he passed
from stall to stall bis attention was
suddenly arrested by the cry ofa feeble
old man:
Fine fresh salmon, to-day, sir 2
Something in the tone made him
stop and fix his eye on the face Of the
speaker. He was very old; his hair
was white as snow; and his trembling
limbs and wrinkled brow told as ht
held the fish up TO the stranger that
time had nearly done its work upon
that wasted frame.
Only one left--there it is, sir, only
six shillings and sixpence Wlll you
buy 2
old man, said the stranger, bend
ing his dark, searching eyes on him
tell me- your name.
My name said be starting back, -
why do You wish TO know my name
viii you buy my fsh2 See what q
fine fresh salmon, only six and six
pence. Viii you buy9
'Iell me, continued the other, draw.
ing still nearer, without needing his
words, have you always been fish
mongerf
'Alwayst replied the old man, draw
ing himself up. Always No, no.
Time was sir-sir-but 10 matter
that's past My name is
And You once lived in Philadelphia
in square, asked the other, quickly
some fifteen years ago? Answer me
old man. And the stranger grasping
bis arm listened attentiyoly Tor his re,
ply
All! yes did; and little did / ther
think my gray hairs would come tc
this. ........ .........
And the feeble old man laid down his
fish and sighed
Thank Heaven Cheer up, said the
stranger, satisfied with the answer, whilC
triumphant yet sad smile lighted VI
his handsome features. Throw of
your apron, old man, and follow me-.
Then you buy my fish, sir 2
Buy your fish Yes, old man, II
buy your fish. Come to the Astol
House immediately and inquire fol
Judge, Of Kentucky. ! will SCI
| you there.
With the basket of fish in ono hant
and his staff in the other, the old MAJ
wended his way TO the Astor House al
soon as his feeble limbs would permit
The stranger was seated at a table
with various papers spread out before
him. Something painful evidently oc
cupied his mind, for his high forehead
/ was buried in his hands and his eyei
were fixed on vacancy. Suddenly h'
arose. and pacing the room hurriedly
broke forth in words,
Fifteen years ago, yes, fifteen year
this very day, | was m outcast and
beggar! Thrust forth into the stree
branded as a thief? Yet was inno
cent Heaven knows; but the work
condemned me. Oh, God when ] re
call that time when houseless, homeless
friendless, ] fell on my knees and i'm
plored thee 10 take the breath thol
hadst giyen--if ] sinned before the
then, may l be forgiven-ior what wa
life 10 me then Yet have placed N.
trust in thee, thanks to my sainteC
mother who il in heaven; and tbo'
didst illume the iuture, and make N.
path easy. Yes, have lived to see th'
destroyer Of nv youth suppliant .