The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-14
Bread Upon the Water

\ lad was toilnig up hill near the city
under the weight Of a heavy basket, on the
afternoon Of sultry day IN August. He
had been sent home with some goods ~ a
customer. who lIveda short distance IN the
country The boy was slightly built, and
lis burden almost beyond his strength.
Many times he sat down To rest himself on
hls hard Journey up the hill, but It seem
ca as though hy would never reach thr
summit. Each time he lifted the basket
1t felt heavier than before.
The hoy was about halt way up the hill
with his basket, when gentleman over
tplk amt passed him He had not gone
Nh many i,trcs when he stopped ami turn
ng round tu the boy looked at him for a
moment or two and then said kindly
'' That's heavy load You have, my boy;
come let me help you.
And the gentleman took the basket and
carried il to the top ~ the hill.
There. do You think YOU can get along
now sand he with a smile, as he set down
the basket. or shall | carry It a little
further 4
''Oh no. thank you SIR, returned the
boy. aud there was glow ~ gratitude IN
his fine young face \ can carry II nov
very we'll. and am very much Obliged To
You.
You are right welcome, my httle man,
said the gentleman, and passed un.
Twenty years from that time carew"rn
man, well advanced III life. sat motIunless
in an Old arm char, with his eyes mtently
fixed ON the glowing CRATE He WAS alone
and appeared 70 lie in a state ut deep all
straction. IN a little while. however. the
door ~ the room opened, and the light
form of young and lovely grl ghded IN.
% Papa, said a low sweet voice, and a
hand was land gently upon the old man. 5
arm.
..lz it you. my dear ne returned, with
low sigh
Yes. papa, and the young girl leaned
against him. and parted with her delicate
fingers the thin gray locks that lay III dis
order about I'M forehead.
\. WuuId ike "a be alone for this eve
nina. EIurrucr. said the old man. =
hay, 4 -...-l d-sI tp think about, and expect
r,r-... .r hrlsiue-s
Ard H. s.ss-l her tenderly and sighed
"A H. t-- hTe tn hers.
Uu .r IraH thr rpom as noise
hH wn HsN anterrd The old man
hsI u % rs her coming IN, but
ths r 49, Wrai be- became sgltat-
cd a ara s- salArl the hoor unea-
aIr Nu ta face ~ and fro for
uelrv a. H.aF 2heh ~ stopped sud
druF N- sH uti The shut door bell
had ru- Iu Ittie ~hIle man entered
& ic rsim.
Pardon th. intrusion. sir, he said,
/
ing prompted me tu call upon you without
moments delay My name is Green. Of
Green. Muller a Co.
Mr. Mason bowed and said
~ know your house very well /; and
now remember 20 have met you oftener
than once ia business transactions.
Yes you have bought one or two bills
Of goods from us, replied the visitor.
Then in a changed voice he said after a
moments pause
Nj Mr. Mason. | have learned tonight
from source which leaves no room to
doubt the truth of the statement, that your
affairs have become embarrassed-tha you
are in fact on the very eve Of bankruptcy.
Tell me frankly whether this is indeed So
! ask from no idle curiosity, nor from a
concealed and sinister motive, but to the
end that | may prevent the threatened dis
aster. # 1t is in my power to do 80.
MIR. Mason was dumb with surprise at
80 unexpected declaration. He made
two Or three efforts to speak, but his lips
uttered no sound.
" Coniide in me, sir" urged the visitor.
Trust me rs you would trust your own
brother, and lean upon me if your strength
be indeed failing. Tell me then is it as
have said
at is, was all the old merchant could
utter.
" How much will save you Mentor
| the sum. and if within the compass Of my
ability to raise, you shall have it in hanC
tomorrow. Will four thousand pounds
relieve you from your present embarrass
ment Then let your anxiety subslde
Mr.. Mason. That sum you shall have to
morrow morning. I will see you again
Good evening"
And the visitor arose and was gone be
fore his beWildered auditor had sufhcientl!
recovered his senses, to know what T.
think OF say.
In the morning, true to his promise, Mr.
Green called upon Mr. Mason, and tender
ed a checque for two thousand pound
with his note Of hand at thirty days 70
two thousand more, which was almost tn
same as money.
While the checque and note lay befor
him, upon the desk, and ere he had offer
ed to touch them, Mr.. Mason looked earn
estly at the man who had 30 suddenl
taken the character of disinterested, sell
sacrificing friend, and said
My dear, sir, cannot understand this
Are you not laboring under some mis-
take r
"Oh, no. You once did me a servic
that ] am now seeking to repay. 1t is m
first opportunity, and ! embrace
eagerly"
"Did you a service Whenr
Twenty years ago" replied the mar
"I was 8 poor boy, and you . man {
wealth. One hot day / was sent . Ion
distance with heavy basket. While toi
ing up hill, with the hot sun upon me
and nlmostovercom with heat and fatigu'
Won came along. and not only spoke to n