Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-05-10
BREAD UPON THE WATERS.


inmates OF the poor house. Wherey
now, is al 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
trembling upon him. Jacob Man
fred had been a comparatively
wealthy man, and while fortune had
smiled upon him be had ever been
among the first to lend a listening
car and helping hand to the call of
distress. But now misfortune was
his. OF his four boys not one was
left. Sickness and falling strength
found him with little, and they left
him penniless- An oppressive en-
barge upon the shipping business
had been the first weight upon his
head and other misfortunes came in
painful succession. Jacob 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."
''Not forsaken, Jacob? Who is
/ there to help us nOwl"
| Jacob Manfred raised his tremb-
ling finger to Heaven.
"Ah, Jacob, know God is our
friend; but we should have friends
here. Look back and see how many
have befriended in DAYS long past.
You cast your bread upon the wa
ters with free hand, but IL 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 expect
il as a reward for anything / may
have DONE If have helped the un-
fortunate in days gone by, i have
had my full reward in knowing that
have done my duty 70 my fellows -
o, OF all the kind deeds have done
to my suffering fellows, / would not
for gold have one OF them blotted
from memory. All, my fond wife,
tits the memory of the good in life
that makes old age happy. Even
now, / can hear again the warm
thanks of those whom have be-
friended, and again l can see their
smiles"
ayes, Jacob" returned the wife
in lower tone, 81 know you have
been good, and in your memory you
can be happy; but there Is a pres
ent upon which we must look
there is n reality upon which we
dwell. We must beg for food, or
starvep
'Begw he replied, with quick
shudder.
''No, Susan-we are"
lie hesitated and big tear rolled
down his furrowed check.
"We are what Jacob9"
We are going to the poor house %
so, Godl / thought so !" fell from
the poor wife's lips, as she covered
! her face with her hand. 81 have
thought so, and l have tried 10
> school myself TO the thought; but
my poor heart cannot bear itm
''DO not give up, SUSAN" s0ftly
urged the old man, laying bis hand
. upon her arm. "It makes but little
I long TO remain on ea.th, aud let us
not wear out our last days in use
less repinings. Come, come"
"But when when shall we go?n
"Now-to-day."
> "TheE God have mercy on US 70
"lJs will" murmured Jacob.
That old couple sat for a while ia
silence. When they were aroused
/. from their painful thoughts il wa,
! by the stopping of a wagon in FROM
2 OF the door. A man entered an,
e room where they sat lie was ths
3 keeper of the poor house.
y ssCOme, Mr.. Manfreu," he said
I ''the select men have managed e
; crowd you into the poor house. Tn,
= 1 fa 81 4
; get ready as soon as possible"
jacob Manfred had not calculate,
: the strength lac should need for thi
y ordeal. There was a coldness in tn
i very tone and manner of the mar
, who had come for him that wen
u like and ice bolt TO his heart, ant
= with deep groan he sank back il
o his seat.
+ "Come, be in a hurry" impatient
; ly urged the keeper.
If At that moment a heavy coveres
carryall drove up to the door.
''Is this the house OF Jacob Man
fredg"
This question was asked by ma
: who entered from the carryall. ii
n was kind looking man, about for
= ty years of age.
/ dThat's my name," said Jacob.
8 "Then they told me truly" utter
e ed the new conner. "Aro yOu frou
Q the aims house?" he continued, turn
: ing toward the keeper
s eyes"
5 "And you are after these pco
5 ple?D
e "Yes."
c 'sThen you may return. JacoI
e Manfred goes to no poor house Will
c l live"
: The keeper gazed inquisitively in
4 to the features of the stranger, ant
= left the house.
: "DOn't you remember mc?" ex
a claimed the new conner, graspin
s the old man by the hand.
8 81 can not call you to my memor
s ! now"
e "Do you remember Lucius VIII
d liams?"
e 'Yiliams?' repeated Jacob, start
/ ling up and gazing earnestly into Oh
e strangers face.
it ayes, Jacob Manfred - Luciu
T Williams. That little boy whoI
II thirty years ago, you saved froI
}, the house of correction; that poo
Il boy whom you kindly took from th
i bonds of the law, and placed o
board one of your vessels"
"And are you"
: "Yes-yes. / am the man yo
IS made. You found me rough ston
e from the hands of poverty and ba
n example IL was you who brushe
/ of the evil, and who first led me [
70 the sweet waters of moral life an
IF happiness. l have prOfited by th
1, lessons you gave me in early youtl
D. and the warm spark which you
II kindness lighted up in my bOsol
is has grown brighter and brightC
n ever since With an afiiuence Il
is life have settled down 10 enjoy n
" remainder of my days in peace an
d quietness. l heard of your lOsse
n | and your bereavements. Come,
" have a home and heart, and you
IN | presence will make them bot
le warmer, brighter and hRppie
Is Come, my more than fsther-an
d | you, my mother, come. You mad
IT my youth all bright, and L will NJ
" see your old age doomed to darl
E. ness"
Of Jacob Manfred tottercd forwaI
N and sank upondhe bosom of his pr
lt | server. He could not speak h
d thanks, for they were too heavy Il
IS words. When he looked up agai
ie he sought his wife.
IS "Susan," he said, in a chokinI
&. trembling tone, "my bread has con
back to me !"
"Forgive me, Jacob"
ss "NO, Susan. 1t is not / who mu
ID | forgive God holds US in his hand
ir "Ah," murmured the wife, as 81
in raised her streaming eyes to heave
a, 81 will never doubt him againw
al