Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-29
OUR SATURDAY NIGHT.
How he Lost his Way.
BY BRICK POMEROY.

BY BRICK POMEROY.
A few evenings since, returning from
Masonic lodge-room, thinking how muc'
better it would be for humanity if al
men would only throw aside their hat
and work together like brothers, arm i
arm, walking to rest under the golde
light in the East-we saw a quaint oil
man sitting on the stone steps to tn
building wherein are our rooms. At frs
we were tempted to speak out in tones o
authority-'Move on?
Thus do men in great cities speak t
the poor who rest on their steps. Blu
there came thought of tenderness and
feeling of pity. and we could not he'll
pausing for chat with one whose ben
form, wrinkled face and gray hairs toll
US that, no matter how poor or ignoran
now, he must soon know more than an,
of us, for he will know of the Eternal!
Good evening, uncle
The old man looked at US with
strange, sad, bewildered look, as if word
of kindness were long unknown to him
but replied not a word.
Good evening, uncle. Having a littl
rest p
'Yes-yss, sir, but I'll move on!
Not now. You look tired
4 am tired-very tired-am Away
tired, so it makes no matter where [ go.
Then US two are alike-we are boil
tired. Let US sit here together
'What-you sit here to rest, when you
can get inside?'
'Yes-unless you will step in and mp
stairs with u.s.
NO, thank YOU Moo roopns Gro not fo'
poor cid wrecks like me-'twould only
make me feel worse to come out
Then we will sit here and help you
rest. Are you going home? p
'Hpne! l have no home!
Where do you sleepT
Sometimes in a stable on Nineteenth
street, sometimes in the station house
and sometimes, in warm weather, in {
little corner of lumber yard
Where do you eat p
Anywhere that can get food. Some
times hold a gentleman's horse, and ht
gives me ten cents or quarter, then
get good meal at place near the river
Sometimes l throw in some kindline
wood, and get nice meal in the kitchen
which lasts me two days. Sometimes
20 where workmen are building, and ate,
they have eaten from their little tin din
ner pals they give me the crusts ant
bones and little pieces left--then have
plenty. I get along pretty well, only wher
I am sick. Then it's mighty hard on the
old man
Won't You go up stairs and sleep to
night-just once, for luck 2
'No-'twould be so much better thar
my regular that guess I'll jog along
But you are kind to offer it, just the same
and I thank you
Not very kind. Its nothing to give
when one can give and not miss it
'Well-folks don't always think So
What is your name2
MY name2 have none. Some years
ago 1 had one--and a good one too
Leastwise it was good on Wall street and
at the opera box Office, bat II threw it at
ter my fortune years ago, and they may
all 60 to the devil together
Have you no friends?'
FNo-only sleep and the sunshine
No relatives p
Relations you mean? l had lots OF
them when was rich-before they got
all my money. l have none now
Have you had your supper tonight
Supper! What is supper ? What is
dinner, or any meal to man who cannot
be particular when he eats, no more than
the dog who finds bone when he camp
How do you live?
Amy way. Do chores. Take what is
given me. Work when | can. [ live like
a leaf in the fall-as the wind blows
Will you go with us and get a good
supperr
Where?
AT nice restaurant over tkere across
the park
'Hardly-they wouldn't let the likes Of
me at their white table.cloths 81
Yes they will-go with us and we viii
see if they will not
I'll be glad to go if you ask me to. Its
such long, long time since I've been
asked to eat with a gentleman, it will
seem like old times twill seem as it used
to, only shan't have it to pay for
Now, waiter, we will have nice tender
loin steak; some potatoes ste wed in milk
a pot of nice coffee for each of US some
fresh French rolls raw oysters and celery
Never mind this is an old friend of ours
bring on what is ordered, and bring it al
soon as you cam
All right, SIR
We had good supper. The old mar
ate like one long endangered. To see
him so enjoy his feast was happiness
We talked of many things. He told us
OF men here and there, and of their his
tories. Stories he knew we'll, but stories
others had forgotten. How this. one
now 80 rich had been SO poor and that
man now 80 poor had been once 30 rich
After supper we went back to the steps
before the office, and there. listened to
the lessing rumble of late stages and hacks
skurrying thitherward, he told us, with
much else, this:
I'm an old man now. Over seventy
Its good many years since had a
home-leastwise, it seems like a good
many. Once owned three good houses
on Broome street But not now: no,
indeed. One went, then another, then
the Sheriff took the last one, and had no
home. My wife died from exposure
while rich-then my relatives went back
on me, and at last ! lost my way, and