The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-04-15
He Asked for Bread.
[Pittsburg Commercial

1t is one OF the saddest features OF the
great panic that many worthy persons,
who never before experienced want, have
been compelled to beg bread for them
selves and their families. Such circum-
stances are common in almost every
neighborhoOd, and some of them are
particularly distressing A few days
ago an old man, reaching closely upon
three score years, made his appearance
in Braddock, and called at house for |
meal. He was kindly entertained, and
gave brief sketch of his life. He said
he had always worked steadily when he
had anything to do; had followed nail
cutting until he became unable to work
at il, and at that he had saved con-
siderable sum of money. This was
several years ago. AS time wore on his
health failed, and the old job of work,
which he had been in the habit Of doing,
i'm order to save his money, could no
longer be performed. His balance in
bank soon dwindled down, and after the
panic set in he spent his last dollar. His
health improved, however; but when he
was able to work there was nothing Tor
him to do. He had no friends able to
keep him and, after failing in every ef-
fort to get employment, he reluctantly
made up his mind that he would 60 to
the poor-house. To the p0or-house he
went, and to his utter amazement, he
was denied admittance. al am no
tramp" said the old man. 81 do not
come here from another county or State
to impose upon you. have been paying
taxes here for sixteen years, and only
ask food and shelter until such time as
can have chance to earn some money.
am penniless and cannot get work.
: Surely you will not drive me out to
t starveT This plaintive appeal had no
Y effect, simply becaue the old man could
e not plead any mental or bodily ailment.
], He was told that they could not admit
4 able-bodcd men to the poor.house. IL
y was only those who were incapacitated
:: for work that could find an asylum there
i The old man exhibited no little indigna.
; ton when speaking of this matter. Said
he: "If had squandered enough OF my
d earnings to have made drunkard of my
d self, and brought on an attack of mania
r. or if | had contracted some lOathsomt
8, disease, l could have been admitted
!. without question:" Failing in his eft
l. fort, he came to realize that he wa
n houseless and penniless-a beggar. Re
e turning to the neighborhood where h
IS had been living, near Lawrenceville, m
is determined to start out toward the Eas
s. End, as he had the impression that tn
As best chances for getting meal would b
rs among the wealthy. Picking out one
it the many fine mansions on the way, n
n entered the yard and knocked at tn
x door. A servant answered, and som
s. time after the mistress appeared, elt
is gantly attired in silk. He requisite
r. something to eat, and the good lad
I'd babe him remain on the porch until sh
ed could get him something. He waite
&c about fifteen minutes, and wondered
tn the kind woman had gone to the troubl
x, to cook him a meal. She soon appeared
lie and his anxiety was relieved on bein
Is. handed parcel, for which he expresse
nd the parcel was opened. What had
lis received from the hands of that ministe
le- ing angelo The heel ola loaf, and fe
ID crusts, harder that the hardest "hal
RS. tackp In the package was somethir
ess else, which, on close inspection, turnt
ad out to be-two tracts All, thought Il
ng old man-something for the soul, as we
on as for the body. How kind. "When
vas looked at those crusts," said he, "ar
M recalled the condition of my teeth, n
On first impulse was to leave the parcel {
be- the porch, and walk off; but, not kno
de- ing how / might fare, and whether,
his my next stopping place, might not
no. refused both bread and tracts, l CO
'ok cluded to hold on to the crusts, knowi
m. that could soak them in the first spri
in or rivulet came to, and thus appea
md my hunger" The tracts, said he,
ty, left on the porch, as was fully persr
mas ded that the lady needed all the spiritr
ice, nourishment she had. l had an emp
ing stomach she pinched and hungry sou
in The old man, who seems quite inte!
till, gent, is disheartened and Disguised wi
the his begging experience, and longs for
but opportunity when he again can earn
tho own bread. He has found, he says, IL
i'm, the most cheerful givers are those
yes moderate circumstances, but there
exceptions in all classes. He is amo
nan those who believe, however, that Il
rely little less than an insulttO offer a hung
ime man tracts when he asks for bread.