Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-04-01
N sketch rren, I.lfe.I

81 ~~Y~v
hopes are gone. u Here you are, all our
children removed from Us by the hand Of
death, and ere long We must DO inmates Of
the poor house. Where, now, Is Oh the
bread that you, have cast upon the water? :"
The old, white haired man looked up at
his wife. lie VA indeed bent dbwp with
years, and age vat upon him trembling.
Jacob Manfred had been comparatively
wealthy man, and while fortune had smiled
upon hin, no had ever boon among the first
to lend q listening ear and helping hand to
the ause sf, distress; but now midortuno
was his. OF his four boys, not ono Was Left
Sickness and failing health found him
with but little, and they left him pcnniless.
An oppressive embargo on tho shipping
busin, NJ Ind been the hrst weight upon his
head, and other nislortuhes came in pain.
fal succession. Jacob and his wife were oil
alone, and guam. poverty looked them coldly
N The fscc. 'hl'I oToi' ''.''t eVi Ao'
"Don't rcpinc, Sasan," said tho old man.
'''Trnc, wc arc poor, but We arc not for.
Aakcn." %, ,'''' ou''' .'- ,'','','' 10 '''
. mot iorsnkcn, JacobP Who is there to
help US now?' % "'.' '-' '.'''' 1''na" -
jacob Manfred raised bis trembling finger
towards heaven. @ ,''i W. $3.50 ~ '"-7''
f. "Ah, Jacob, I know God is our friend,
but We ought to have friends here, Look
back, and zee how many you have bcffiend.
ed in days long past. You cast your bread
upon the waters,p with free baud, but it
has not been returned to your" q, ..-,. ~.
Hush, Susan, you forget what you say.
To be sure. l may have hoped that some
kind hand Of earth would lift me from utter
want; but do not expect it as reward for
| anything I have DONE. If I have helped
the unfortunate, I have had my full reward
lin knowing that have done my duty to my
fellows. Oh rof all the kind deeds have
done to my suffering fellows, | would not
for gold have them blotted from my memory.
Ah, my fond wife, 'tis the memory Of good
doue in life that makes old age happy
Even now l hear the warm thanks Of those
whom have befriended and again can
see their smiles. .,f''.-,.t.a;'.---- -.
"Yes, jacob" returned his wife, in, .
lower tone. II know you have been good,
and in your memory you can be happy but,
alas 7! 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. " ,..tn - ~.
/ The old man started, and deep mark Of
pain was drawn across his features.
"Bcg!" he replied, with quick shudder.
mo, Susan, We are. '''' go
He hesita.ed, and . big tear rolled down
bis furrowed cheek. -'.'
"We are what, Jacob?' '',l p" ~ '
I've are going to the poor house T. --'-'
"Oh, God! Thought 80 !" fell from the
poor wife's lips, as shScovcred her face
with her hands. II have thought so, and
have tried to school n,yselfto the thought,
but my poor heart will not bear it." ''
Don't give up, Susan, softly urged the
old man, laying his hand upon her arm.
1T makes but little difference to US now.
We haze not long to remain on Garth, and
let us not wear out our last days in fruitless
repinings. Come Come" '.'b'a 80 w. '.-
I" But when shall we go9"'' .'' go ''.
"Now-to day." - -''.@ '' ''' ''- ''
"Thcn God will have mercy upon Us. )" %
"He WILL" -' .a t-"'-'. ' 'plf.
The old couple sat for awhile in silence
When they were aroused from their pain
ful thoughts it was by the stopping Of q
wagon at their door. A man entered the
room where they sat. He was the keeper
Of the poor house. - 'i %. .'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.
There was coldness in the very tone and
manner Of the man who had come for him,
that went like an icc.bolt to his heart, aod
with deep groan he sank into his scat.
"Comc, be in hurry" impatiently urg.
ed the keeper. lsF''.0 "i'g-s. L'd ~.
At TINT moment heavy covered carrysll
drou up to the door. 10 aca'slaF'1 aaI
"a" Is this tue house Of Mr.. Jacob Man.
fredY' - baa .a2a. a ia q. ;dg'- l-nlai 2
The question was asked by man who en-.
tered from the carrysll. He was kind
looking man. about forty years Of age. Y
d" That is my name, " said Jacob. ~
w" Then they told me truly, uttered the
new conner. Sc ss1gac, dyus nj sl2q- ispm
~" Are you the keeper Of theslmshonse p
he continued, turning towards the man..
i"Yes," asI .dingi q. 5,ar i.i bas
J. Are you after these peopleW je{ yf
f"Yes." .'rey ,la75 l's0 80 feye.L
~" Then you may return. Jacob Manfred
goes to no poor house while ! am living. =
Tho speaker gazed iuquisitively into the
features Of the man, and then left the house.
~" Don't you rsmemter me ~ exclaimed
the new conner, taking the old man BY the
hand. 'go,al3di jsc5l 81 s7e 20 g.9,2uVi
l III 80 ~