Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-06-05

figure, regular manly features. and ele
gantly dressed. AS he passed from staI
to stall, he was suddenly arrested by the
cry of feble old man.
"Fine fresh salmon to day. sir?"
Something in the tone made him STOP
and fix his eyes on the speaker. He was
very old; his hair was white as snow,
and his trembling limbs and wrinkled
brow, told, as he held the fish up to the
stranger, that time had nearly done its
work upon that wasted frame.
"Only one left-;here it is sir. Only
six shillings and sixrense. VIII you
buy?"
:'Old man." said the stranger, fixing
his dark, searching eyes on him, "tell
me your name"
"My name," said he. starting lack.
"Why do yor wish to know my name
Will you buy my fish, See what a
fine fresh salmon, and only six and six
pence. Look at it."
"reI me-" continued the other, draw
ing himself proudly up. "AIasl No,
no. Time was, sir-but no matter
That's past. Ny name is"
"And You lived in Philadelphia, in
--Squares asked the other, quickly,
some fifteen years ago? Answer me,
old man." And the stranger, grasping
his arm, listened earnestly for the old
mans reply.
"Ah! yes did; and little, little did l
then think my grey hairs would come to
this"
And the f, eJle oil man laid down his
fish and sighed.
THANK heaven! Cheer up" said the
stranger, satisfied with the answer, while
triumphant yet sad smile lighted his
handsome featuaes. Throw of your
apron, o man, n ID follow me.
"Then you must buy my fish, sir"
Buy your fish, Yes, old man, I'll
buy your f+h. Come to the Astor
House Immediately, and enquire for
Judge, of Kentucky. will see you
there"
With his basket of fish in one hand
aud his staff in the other, the old man
wendell lis way to the Astor as quickly
as bis feeble limbs would permit.
The stranger received him seated at a
table, with various papers spread before
him. Something painful evidently oc-
cupiel his mind, for his high forehead
WI buried in the palms of his band,
and his eyes was fixed on vacancy. Sud-
denly he arose, and pacing the room,
hurridly broke forth in wrds:
"Fifteen years ago, yes, fifteen this
very day, | WAS an outcast and beggar.
Thrust forth into the street branded as
a thief Yet was innocent, Heaven
knows; but the world condemned me.
Oh, God, when | recall that time, when
houseless, homeless, frienlIess, | fell on
my knees and imploied Thee to take the
breath Thou hast given-if | sinned be-
fore Thee, then may it be forgiven?
For what was life to me, then! Yet |
placed my trust in Thee, thanks to nv
sainted mother who is IN heaven; and
Thou didst nerve me to further strife
with the world, when my last hope had
well nigh died within me. Then Thou
didst illumine the future. and make my
path easy. Yes have lived to see the
destroyer Of my youth asuppliant at my
feet, publicly proclaim his own guilt, for
which | suffered. But could that atone
for the havoc it had made in this burning
heart? Never. never. The heart was
broken, wasted. and grew old before its
time. May Heaven forgive him rs |
do: as well as those who, in spite Of my
protesiations, spurned me from their
doors. Poor old man! thank Heaven.
the time has come when | may pay the
debt of gratitude [ owe thee. You gave
me hope when all else had failed. Yes,
our fortunes have changed-changed in
deed. The stranger ceased. and resum-
ing bis seat, seemed impatient for the
coming of the fishmonger.
At last servant announced man
with 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 honor9
Sure it's a man with basket of fish !"
Il bid you ask him to my room, sir.
Go fetch him Immediately"
"Well, fax, man, that's quare!" NUT
tered the Hibernian, as he bid the old
man follow him.
Here's his honor, the great Judge from
Kentucky, with his pager servants aud
the finest wife in the house; and all the
big men in the city, tho Mayor Morris,
too. bowling and scraping to him these
two weeks past, telling me. Jenny Fair
land. to show that oud divil of fisherman
to his private parlor. Troth, old jintle-
man. AMI that is quare now. surely
Hist! and sc-ape your feet, then," said he,
rs he ushered him in, "and mind how
you spake to his honor"
"Bo seated, sir, said the stranger, ris-
ing aud handing q chair to the old man,
W still wondering clutched his basket
of fish.
Look at me, y said the Judge, drawing
his chair forward so as to face him, ''and
say, did you ever see me?"
''Indeed, l do not know, sir" replied
tho other, scanning his features. 81 may
have seen you in other days. If so,
you are forgotten in tho changes that
have come over me. But If you will
pay me for my fish, sir, | shall be much
obliged, for / have far to 90 to reach