Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-08-30
THE HOUSEHOLD.
Bread Upon the Waters
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.


All, Jacob, now you Gee ali your hopes are
gone. Here we Are, worn out with age-All our
children removed from us by the hand OF death,
and ere long We must he the inmates OF the
poor-houBe. Where now is all the bread you
have cast upon the wsters p9a .SH -
The old, white-hsiFed man lookedu at his
Wife He was indeed bent down with years. and
sge sat trembling upon him. Jacob Manfred
had been q comparatively wealthy man, and when
ortune amiled upon him, he had ever been
among the first to lend listening ear and help
ing hand TO the call of distress but misfortune
was his OF his four boys not one was left
Sickness and falling strength found him with
but little, and they left them penniless. Various
misfortupss came in painful succession. Jacob
and bis wife were alone, and gaunt poverty look
ed them ooolly in the face.
Don't repine, Susan" said the old man.
'True we are poor, but are not forsaken.
Mot forsaken, Jacob who is there to hep us
now7"
Jacob Manfred raised his trembling angers
towards heaven.
'Ah, jacob know GOD is our friend; but we
should have friends here. Look back and see
how many you have befriended in days long past
You cast your bread upon the waters with free
hand, but it has not yet returned to you"
"Hush, Susan, you forget what you say. To
be sure NAV have hoped that some kind hand
OF earth would lift me from the cold depths of
inter want but do not expect it as reward for
anything have done. II have helped the un-
fTtunate in days gone by have had my full re-
ward In knowing that have done my duty to
my fellows. Oh, Of all the kind deeds that
have done for my suffering fellows. l would not
for gold have one blottud from my memory.
Al my fond wife, i il the memory of the good
uone in life that makes old age happy. Even
now can hear the warm thanks OF those whom
IhsYe befriended and again see their smiles "
ayes, Jacob, returned his wife in a low tone. II
know you have been good. and in your memory
you can be happy; but alas there is a present
upOn which 10 look-tbere is a reality upon
which we must dwell. We must beg for food or
btarve!" fI. .r.t.-.
The old man started and deep mark of pain
was drawn ACROSS his features.
beg" he replied with quick shudder, mo,
He hesitated and big tear rolled down his
furrowed cheek f"
awe are what, Jacob 2" .-.
I'VE are going to the poor-house
"Oh, God thought So fell from the poor
wife's lips she covered her face with her
hands II have thought 30. have tried to
school myself to the thought, but my poor heart
will not bear it,.
'Do not give up. susan," softly urged the old
man, laying his hands upon her arm. 1t makes
but little difference to us now. We have not
long to remain on earth, and let us not wear out
our last days in useless repinings. Come,
come "
"But when-when shall we go2"
"Now-to-day"
"Then God have mercy upon us"
"He will" murmured jacob.
The old couple sat for while in silence.
When they were aroused from their painful
thoughts. it was by the stopping or light cart
in front of the door. A man entered the room
where they sat. He was the porter of the poor
house.
'Oome, MIR. Manfred" he said. 'the guardians
have managed to crowd sou into the poor-house.
The cart is at the door, and you can get ready as
soon as possible"
no should need for this ordeal. There was a
coldness in the very tone and manner OF the
man who bad come for him, that went like an
iceberg to his heart, and with deep groan he
sank back into his chair. d.. #.
"Come--be in hurry" impstiently urged the
porter.
At that moment carriage drove up to the
door. .- "+..ta.... e-.
''Is this the house of Jacob Manfred ?"
This question was asked by man who enter
ed from the carriage He was q kind-lOoking
man, about forty-fve years old.
'' That is my name, said Jacob.
"Then they told me truly" uttered the new
conner. "Are You from the work-house ?" he in
qalred, turning toward the porter.
" Yes"
"Are you after these people ?"
Yes"
"Then you may return. Jacob Manfred goes
to no poor-houss while live"
The porter gAzed inqusitively into the fea-
lures OF the man who addressed him, and then
left the home.
Don't you remember me ?" exclaimed the
stranger, grasping the old man by the hand.
II cannot call you to memory now"
do you remember Lucius Williams 7"
Williams p repeated Jacob, starting from
the chair and gazing earnestly into the lace OF
the man before him.
- Yes, Jacob Manfred-Lucius Williams-that
little boy you thirty years ago saved from the
house of correction--that poor boy whom you
Ei8,Alu fnnly In nf m
placed on board one Of your own vessels"
" And are you"
"Yes-yes, l am the man you made You
found me rough stone from the hands of pov-.
erty and bad example. Il was you that brushed
off the evil, and who first led me to the sweet
waters of moral life and happiness ! have
protited by the lessons you gave me in early
youth and the warm spark which your Kindness
kindled up in my bosom has grown brighter ever
since With an affiuerce for life settled down
to enjoy the remainder OF my days in peace and
quietness, with such good work as my hands
might lind to do. / heard OF your Losses and
bereavements know that the children of your
flesh all gone. But L am a child of your
bounty-a child OF your kindness. aud now you
shall be still my parent. Come, have home,
and heart and your presence will make them
both warmer, brighter and happier Come. my
more than father, and you, my brother come,
You made my youth all bright land will not
your old age doomed 10 darkness
Jacob Manfred tottered forward, and sank
upon the bosom Of his preserver. He could not
speak his thanks, for they were too heavy for
words. When he looked up again he sought his
wife.
''susAn," he said in a choking, trembling tone,
my bread has come back to me |"
8 Forgive me, jacob"
'No, no, Snsan it is not who must forgive
God holds US in his hands"
Oh :" murmured his wife, as she raised her
streaming ewes to Heaven. " will never doubt
Him again"