Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-04-02
Bread Upon the Waters.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

A SKETCH FROM LIFE.
"Ah, Jacob, now you see how all your
hopes are'gone. Here we are, worn out
with age-all our children removed from
rs by the hand of death, and ere long we
must be the inmates of the poor house.
Where, now is all the bread you have
cast upon the waters?'
The old, white haired man looked up at
his wife. He was, indeed, bent down with
years, and age sat tremblingly upon him.
Jacob Manfred had been comparatively
wealthy man, and while fortune had
smiled upon him he had ever been among
the first to lend listening ear and help
ing hand to the call of distress. But now
misfortune was his. or his four boys not
one was left. Sickness and failing strength
found him with but little, and they left
him penniless. An oppressive embargo
upon the shipping business had been the
first weight upon his head and other mis-
fortunes came in painful succession. ia
cob and his wife were alone and gaunt
poverty looked them coolly in the face.
Don't repine, Susan" said the old man.
"True we are poor, but we are not yet
fOrsaken.n
mot forsaken, Jacob? Who is there to
help US now?"
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling
finger to Heaven.
'Ah, Jacob, know God is our friend;
hut we should have friends here. Look
back and see how many you have befrien1,
ed in days long past. You cast your bread
upon the waters with free hand, but 1t
has not returned to you"
Hush, Susan, you forget what you say.
To be sure / may have hoped that some
kind hand of earth would lift me from the
cold depths of utter want but do not
eypect it as a reward for anything / may
have done. If have helped the unfortu.
nate in days gone by, have had my full
reward in knowing that / have done my
duty TO my fellows. o, Of all the kind
deeds have done to my suffering fellows
would not for gold have one of then
blotted from my memory. An, my fonc
wife, It's the memory Of the good done II
life that makes old agehappy. Even now
[ can hear again the warm thanks OF thos'
whom have befriended, and again car
see their smiles.n
"Yes, Jacob, . returned the wife in
lower tone, 81 know you have been good
and in your memory you can be happy
but alas there is present upon which
we must look-there is reality upol
which we must dwell. We must beg 70
food, or starve" "a,
"Begw he replied, with a quick shud
der.
NO, Susan-we are"
He hesitated and a big tear rolled dow
hisfurrowed cheek.
I'VE are what Jacob ?' Il ~
we are going to the pOor house?'
20, God! thought so" fell from IN
poor wife's lips, as she covered her faC
with her hand. ~ have thought 80, an
have tried to school myself 10 the though
but my poor heart can not bear IL 90
"Do not give up, Susan" softly urge
the old man, laying his hand upon Ia
arm. at makes but little difference TO
now. We have not long 70 remain G
earth, and let us not wear out our last ia.
in useless repinings. Come, come"
"But when-when-shall we go?"
"Now-to-day. |t,
'Then God have mercy on u.s."
He will, murmured Jacob.
That old couple sat for while in silenc
When they were aroused from their pal
full thoughts il was by the stopping OF
wagon In front of the door. A man c
tered the room where they sat. He was q
keeper of the poor house. rreL.ra.
Come. Mr. Manfred he said, 1.-THE :
Iect men have managed TO crowd you in
che poor house. The wagon isat the do
and you can get ready as soon as possible
Jacob Manfred had not calculated {
strength he should need for this orde
There was a GOODNESS in the very tone a.
manner of the man who had come for hi
that went like an ice bolt to his heart, a
with deep groan he sank back IN
eat.