Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-01
SELECTED STORY
THE LAST SIXPENCE.
BY AUSTIN c. BUReoIx.

vember that Charles Aubrey emerged from
an old shed where he had passed the last
part of the night under pile of sheep skins
He was young man not over two and TWEEN.
ty, and yet retained great beauty of person
though his clothes were torn and dirty, and
his face pale and haggard. Only just one
year before he had been left an orphan with
eleven thousand dollars in money in his pos
session. He had always been generous
hearted, frank and loving companion, but
evil associates bad gathered about him, and
in an unfortunate hour he gave himself up
to their influence. He thought nothing of
the value Of money. but designing knaves,
under the guise of friendship, could always
draw it from him. But the poor. misguid-
ed youth had run the race. aud was now
alone. His money was gone, and bis sun
shine companions bad left him. He had
reached the goal towards which for whole
year he had been dashibg on.
y 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 pockets and took
thercfrom a sixpence. He searched further
felt in every pocket--but he could find DO
more. That single sixpence 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. It will
buy one glass Of grog to allay my burning
thirst Oh, would to God it would buy me
one true friend y
He 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 and
blessed him and he remembered his kind,
good father, and that father had loved him
and blessed him with bis last breath. And
be remembered one other, bright eyed joY-
Gus girl, in whose keeping he had once
placed all his love and all his JOY But it
was gone now Thus he Stood with the
small coin in his hand, when be heard foot
steps approaching. He raised bis eyes and
behe.d an old woman with Bonded back, who
came lettering on, slowly and tremhlingly.
Her garments were torn and tattsred, and
the thin, gray hair hung matted and uucomb-
ed. Size stopped when she came to where
the youth stood, and leaned heavily upon
her staff.
Charity, good sir p she uttered in
hoarse, tremulous tones, "Give me where
with to purchase single meal and I'll ask
God to bless thee
"By my life good woman, you are the
very one I have been wishing for. Here
it is all I have-it is my last sixpence =
Take it, | have only wished that could
buy me one true friend.'
The old woman hesitated.
"Will you not take it ~ asked Charles
earnestly. Take, it so that | may feel
that have one friend"
II need it SIR the woman said, sbut
dare not take it from you, for you would
not profit by my friendship"
Eyes I would It would send a ray of
sunshine through my soul, to know that one
human being blessed ms.T'
"But what good eould~come Of that while
you continued to course yourself?"
The youth started, but he spoke rot.
IF you would have me as friend will
you listen to me as friend p
"Listen ? Yes"
"Then let this be your lowest vale in
life," said the woman, with startling solem-
nifty. "Turn now and 60 up hill. Go up.
up, until you have reached the sunshine
once more. I knew your mother, Charles
Aubrey. and l remember well how kind she
was. Oh, did she ever think that her be-
loved son would sink so low"
"stop, STOP" groaned the unhappy
youth. ''Oh, who Shall give me the first
lift to regain all that have lost p
u WILL"
"You? Who are yous You say you
knew my mother. Who are you ~
Meyer mind. Suffice it for you to know
that have suffered as deeply as you ever
did. I know what it is to suffer. say
can give you the first lift mean by thai
I can show you the way. Follow my coun
sci, and you may yet recover all that you
1 have lost" .ls.
"No, no not all. There is enc loss
can never make up p And as he spoke be
bowed his head and covered his face with hi
hands, ...
ssLet not such feelings be with you now
First resolve that you will turn from tht
evil that has brought you down. You know
what it is as we'll as l do. Can yon dc
this r.
GAY, had done that ere you came up
"Then take the next step. Go and MAKE
friend who can help you further. Go te
Amos Williams, and"
mo- not there. Oh, not there" inter
rupted Charles.
! 600 to his store, and freely confess Il