The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-04-22
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.


| EAh, Jacob, now you see how al
Eyonr hopes are eobe.s Here YOU are
all our children removed fromus by th,
handsof death, aud ere long we mus
be inmates, of the poor houses, Where
DOW is al the bread that you have cas-
| upon the wa.erfi' II 20 'saa :. ( Ife
Il The old, white.haired man looked 'ul
at his wife .iaoHe was sindeedlbentdo dowi
with y years, % and age sat upon him
trembling Jacob Manfred had beer
comparatively wealthy man, and while
fortune had smiled upon him he haG
ever been. among the first to lend q
listening ear and a, helping handgto tht
cause of distress but now misfortune
was his. Ofghis four boys, not one was
left. Sickness ardifailiog health found
him with but liale, and they, had left
him penniless.J { fe : tz91 fya I Is
An oppressive embargo on the ship;
ping business had been the first weight
upon his head, and other misfortunes
came in painful Succession. Jacob and
his wife were all alone,.and gaunt pow
erty looked them coldly in the face. :;
g'"Don,t repine, Susan,' said the old
man. True, We are, but We are not
forsaken. 80 = :. rei ,snrrsaa9sr
"Not forsaken, Jacob, who is there
to helpdus now ~ sai GaI .Esat9 I':7
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling
finger towards heavan. it5-F-D -F.ct r.
: D"Ah, Jacob, I know God is our
friend, but We ought to- have friends
here. Look back, and see how many
you have befriended in days long past.
You cast your bread upon the waters
with free hand but it has not been
returned to you" u --z-,---
r"Hush, Susan, you forget what you
say. To be sure, I may have hoped
that some kind hand of earth would
lift me from utter want; but 1 do not
expect it as. reward fer anything /
have done. IF have helped the nm
fortunate, I have had my full reward
in knowing that 1 have done my duty
to my. fellows. OIL of all the; kind
deeds / have done to my suffering fell
lows, would not for gold have them
biotted from py memory. ,Ah, my
fond wife, tits the memory of good
done in life. that makes old age happy.
Even now T hear the warm thanks of
those whom i have befriended, and
again I can see their smiles.~ -
eyes, Jacob,g returned his wife, in
lower tone, "Is know yeu have been
good, and in your memory you earsbs
happy; but, alas there is the present
upon which we must look there is a
reality upon which we must DWELL
We must beg for food or starve."
The old man started, and deep
mark of paiu was drawn across his feas
lures. ts1I sgeGsr E+iss3o5G y}
"Beg" he replied, with, quick
shudder. "No, Susan, we are"
He hesitated, and big tear rolled
down his furrowed cheek. F=-aa+s - 4
ave are what, Jacob H"Is ~ =
Eve are going to the. poor house y
= "Oh, God L thought SO p fell from
the poor wife's lips, as she covered her
face with her hands. "Ihave thought
SO, and I have tried to school myself
TO the thought, but my poor heart will
mol bear it." a.--..-.. 9
"Don't give up, Susan" softly urg-
ed the old man, laying his head upon
her arm. at makes but little differ
ence to US now We have not long to
remain on earth, and let US not wear
out Our last days in -fuitless repipings.
Come, come"
"But when shall we go ?''
"Now-to-day." ts' r =sf9 ra
"Then God will have mercy upon
u.s." .,a-io-,- .,-,
"He will" -
The old couple sat for awhile in 81
lence. When they were aroused from
their painful thoughts it was by the
of wagon at their door. A, |
man entered, the room where they sat.
He was the keeper of the poor house. ]
i Come, Mr.. Manfred" said he, ''the-
Selectmen have managed to crowd you
into the poor house. The wagon is at
the door, and you must get ready as
soon as possible" ,-...-
Jacob Manfred had not calculated
The strength he should need for this
ordeal.-o There was a coldness in the
very, tone and manner of the man who
had came for him, that went like an
ce bolt to his heart, and with a deep
yroau sank into his seat.
"Come, be in a hurry, @impatiently
urged the keeper. s. a-:Ia 81 : <.
At that moment a heavy covered car
.yalf drove mp to the door. "oh = -
ss'Is this the house of Mr. Jacob Man
red 2" ~ ssd olia iiefsf t2f'i2 E.Hiz I
. The question was asked by a man |
Who entered from the carryall. He
vas kind looking man, about forty
years of age. -.i. iA1"
> '.Tbat is my name," said Jacob. +
they told me truly" uttered +
he new conner. il.i''" i4ii''o1.t y /
: "Are you the keeper of the aims
,ouse r" he continued, turning towards
he man. 1i'f z''' -''
Eyes" ~ l-i' t'.if 7'ii.''ia -4'"Z -'hiti
g .Are you after thesepeople ?" .aah,
,sssY es." s9s sf2s -
.as.Then you may return Jacob Man
red goes TO no poor house while / am
wing" -
The speaker gazed ioquisitively into1
he features of .the man, and then left
heShouse ,Hi's .,a]a
"Don't you remember me 7"exclaim7
d the new conner, taking the old man
W the hand iiltiflft .-rI ttf14 yf'f'-t 81