South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-11-03
The Last Sixpence.
By AUSTIN c. BuRDicK.

Pat' VI tnS "'Sus uuueF plle OF sheep
skins. lie was young man not over two
aud twenty, and yet retained great beauty
of person though his clothes were torn and
dirty, and his face pale and haggard. On
ly just one year before be had been eft an
orphan, with eleven thousand dollars in
money in his possession. He had always
been generous-hearted, frank and loving
companion, but evil associates had thor
ed about him, and in an unfortunate hour
he gave himself up to their Influence. He
thought nothing of the value of money.
but designing knayes, under the guise of
friendship, could always draw it from him.
But the poor, misguided youth had run the
| race, and was now alone. His money was
gone, and his sunshine companions hadlert
him. He had reached the goal towards
which for whole year he had been dashiDr
on.
As young Aubrey stood there now, his
lips were parched, and his limbs shook as
though with the palsy. He mechanically
placed his hand in his pocket and took
thercfrom sixpence. He searched further
felt IN every pocket-but he could find
no more. That single sixpeuce was the
last of his fortune.
'Ah, Charley, Charley he murmured to
himself, you've run your race Where
now are the friends who have so long hung
about you! One poor sixpence. 1t will
buy one glass of grog to alay my burning
thirst. Oh, would to God it would buy me
one true friend "
| lie spoke thus, and with the words came
rushing through his mind the memory of
the past. He remembered his mother as
she held him for the last time to her bosom
aud blessed him and he remembered his
kind, good father, and how that father had
loved him aud blessed him with his last
breath. And lie remembered one other,
brlght-eyed, joyous girl, in whose keep
ing he had once placed all his love and all
bis JOY But 1t was gone now Thus he
stood, with the small coin in his hand
when be heard footsteps approaching He
raised his eyes, and boheld an old woman
with Bonded back, who came lettering on,
slowly and tremblingly Her garments
were torn and tattered, and the thin, gray
hair hung matted and uncombed. She
stopped when she came to where the youth
stood, and leaned heavily upon her staff.
Charity, good sir " she uttered, in
boarse, tremulous tones. Give me where
with to purchase n single meal, and I'll
ask God to bless thee
by my life, good woman, you are the
very one | have been wishing tor. Here
it is all have-it is my last sixpence A.!
Take it. have only wished that | cou Id
buy inc one true friend
The old woman hesitated.
will you not take it {? asked Charles
earnestly. Take it, 50 that l may feel
that lave one friend
4 need it sir the woman said, 'but
dare not take it from you, for you would
not profit by my friendship
yes | would. 1t would send a ray of
sunshine through my soul, to know that
one human being blessed me-
But what good could come Of that while
you continued to curse yoursefY
The youth started, but he spoke not.
'lf you would have me as friend will
you listen to me as a friend 2
Listen a? Yes
Then let this be your lowest vale in
liie,' said the woman, with startling solem-
NIFTY Turn now and 20 up hill Go up,
up, until you have reached the sunshine
once more / knew your mother, Charles
Aubrey, and | remember we'll how kind
she was. Oh, did she ever think that her
beloved son would sink 30 low -
stop, stop groaned the unhappy ,uth
'Oh, who shall give me the first l.I 10 re-
gain all that have lost?'
Il will
You ! Who are you? You say you
knew my mother. Who are your
Mover mind Suffice it for you 10 know
that ] have suffered as deeply as you ever
did. know what !. is to suffer. say !
can give you the FIRST it, mean by that
! can show You the way. Follow my couu.
sci, and you may set recover oil that you
have lost
'No, 10, not oil There is Que loss ]
can never make mp Aud as be spoke he
bowed bis head aud covered his face with
his hands.
let not such feelings be with you now.
FIRST rc5alvo that you win turn from the evil
that las brought. you down. You know
this p
~, ] had done that ere you came NJ.
Then take the mex, step. Go aud make
friend who can help you further Go 70
Amos Williams, aud
NO, not there. OBJ not there inter.
ruptcd Charles
GO 60 bis store, ard freely confess Il
nm OIL your faults, resumed the woman
without seeming 20 notice The interruption
Tell BIN al, aud then ask him 70 trus
you once more.
No / dare not 90 to him.
'Bu' listen heard Mr.. williams say
win his own lips that he would help you
% De could that h O wnnId give hia hand /