The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-07-15
BREAD UPON THE WATER.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

a man IN tho puttef-alIlOSIa Ill IL, Nv leisS'
for he sat upon the curbstone with his feet
in the slush of the kennel, and bowed his
face between his hands, while certain street
boys-nothing on earth, though you search
among the wild beasts of the forest to find it.
is half SO ruthlessly brutal as New York
street boy-threw mud and stones at his dc
fenceless head, and called him names foul as
the mire itself, and shrieked and hooted like
50 many demons, in their JOY at having some
thing to abuse.
A gentleman passed by-one Of those
straight, broad shouldered, brightcyed fel-
lows on whom it is happiness to look, though
YOU do not know him-well- dressed, pros
porous, and happy; such contrast to the
man in the gutter. Yethc paused as though,
after all, he recognized the tie of universal
brotherhood between that man and himself,
and collarcd the nearest boy little icrcely.
aAnothcr stone, and you will singto diff
fcrent tune!' he cried. ''What do you
mean BY this? What has that man done to
you? BY George! you rascal, you deserve
such fogging as I could give you now my
blood is up. What has the man done to
youw ~
Giles drunk p said the boy. whimpering.
He's drunk You let ago O me, mister.
He's drunk =
Andthen he writhed himself away from
the gentleman's grasp and ran away, as bui-
lies always do when they are worsted. The
gentleman turned to the creature IN the gut
ter: It lss faa. s-a r. a
laThey'rc gone" he said "You had bet
ter go home" si a @
The man lifted his head. :. e q
"Its kind CT you to take beggar's part 3
he said. Gas for home, have none; and
lust now I don't happen to be drunk. ?
sThcy'vo hurt you,'' said the gentleman
compassionately. "Your forehead is bleeding
What brutes boys are! Your speech IS not
that of man who ought to be here-thus
Will YOU let me-make sure that you have
supper"
tears. M
aBy Heaven y he cried, in that passionate
tone in which tender emotion manifests itsel
in those who have grown sullcn and desper.
ate, and are unused to it-"by Heaven
didn't think there was good fellow left OF
earth. I didn't, SO help me! Iyt
been tossed about and cheated and robbed
until pve hated man.. have, by Heaven
Yes. I'll take the money, and thank you too
AZ # Won were brother. ! feel as # 20,
were" @ 5e & a
And as he stood with the tears running
down his checks, had that street been stage
and he an actor, the house would have riser
en- naassc. for actors never show such passion
It was tragic, though it was an impcrtinen
beggar claiming brotherhood with a eharlta
bic gentleman.
This man to whom he spoke was no snob
! his own dignity did not drag like ball AM
chain at his fettered heels he was a man t
the hearts core. A dew came iuto his eyes
| and he said softly:
81 suppose, of course, you are out Of EN-
ployment r. u, I'd
"I,m out Of everything" said the man
aheart and hope too. I've spent ten year
in Californy at the diggings. | gamble
away half what made on the Mississippi
and at Cairo I, was robbed Of the rest.
| don't know d soul here. I am willing to us
Those great arms Of mine, but no one wan
| me. / don't know why | don't jump ovt
into the water from the wharf youder. Pe
| haps it's because I've gone through 50 muc
here. that can't think of the next life as
peaceful one. as some do. I've had SO mue
| torment here, that don't know how to e
meet heaven there. Work Why, have 20
got any for me? Let me try it, if you have 2
II can give you rough Work-a potcl
work" said the gentleman. "lt will nc
!, YOU to something better. There IS my car
Sleep in some decent place tonight Dor
j drink anything stronger than coffee, al
come to me in the morning.
- cinai with l.