Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-10-18
Our Selected Story.
THE LAST SIXPENCE.

1t was chill bleak morning in Nover
brr that Charles Aubrey emerged from q
old shed where he had passed the last pa
of the night under pile of sheep skins.
As young Aubrey stood there now, h
lips were parched. and his limbs shook I;
though with the palsy. He mechanical
placed his hand in his pocket and too
ti,eretrom a siNpcnce. He searched fiji
tler-felt in every pocket-but he coul
find no more. That single siNpcncc wa
the last of his fortune.
"Ah. Charley. Charley" he murlnure
to himself. "lou'vc run your race. Wher
now are the friends who have so long hun
about you! One poor siNpence. Ii wi
buy me one glass of grog to allay my burn
ing thirst Oh. would to God it would bu
me one true fricnd.''
He raised his eyes. and beheld an oil
woman with bended back. who came tot
tering on slowly and tremblingly. Her yar
ments were torn and tattered. and the thi
gray hair hung matted and uncombed. Sh
stopped when she came to where tn
youth stood, and leaned heavily upon he
staff
>'Charity. maed sir" she uttered in hoarse
tremulous tones. ''Give me wherewith t.
purchase single meal. and Ill ask God t.
bless thee
by my life. good woman. you are thu
very one have been wishing for. Here
il is I'LL have-it is my last siNpence! Take
it. have only wished that it could buy
me one true frcnd.'
| But what good would come of that
while you continue to curse yourself?''
The youth started. bat he spoke not
IF You would have me for a friend. will
you listen to me as L friehd:''
Listen? Yes
"rhen let this be your lowest vale OF
life. said the woman with startling sol
emnity. ''Turn now and 90 up hill. Go
up. up, until you have reached the sunshine
once more. knew your mother, Charles
Aubrey. and | remember well how kind
she was. Oh. did she ever think that her
Neil-beloyed son would sink so low
''~'op. stop groaned the unhappy
youth. ''Oi. who shall give me the first
iii 10 regain all have lost"
IL WILL"
You: Who are you: You say you
knew my mother. Who are you:''
''Never mind. Suffice it for you to know
that suffered as deeply as you ever did.
know what it is to suffer. | say can
give ycu the first lift. | mean by that l
can show you the way. Follow my coun-
sci, and you may yet recover all that you
have lost"
NO. no. not ALL Oh. there is one loss
can never make up!' and as he spoke he
bowed his head and covered his face with
his hands.
Let not such feelings be with You now.
First resolve that you will tr'n from the
evil which hals brought you dc vn. You
know what it is as well us do. Can you
do this:''
AYE. | had done it ere you came up.
''Thcn take the next step. Go and make
friend who can help you further. Go to
Amos Williams and
NO. no. not there. Oh. not there" in
trrrupted Charles.
''Go to his store and freely confess to
him all your faults resumed the woman,
without seeming to notice the interruption.
''Tell him all. and then ask him to trust
you once more
NO. no. dare not 90 to him.
DIT
with his own lips that he would help you
if he could; that he would give you his
hand if you would only help yourself
Ibid lie say that - uttered Charles.
eagerly.
'.lIe did. And now. Charles Aubrey. be
assured that you have not lost everything.
Let people know that you mean to arise
and be man. and all whose friendship is
worth having will give you their hands.
Go to Amos Williams first"
II will go.''
''Then give me the siXpehce.'
Amos Williams stood at the great desk
in his cOunting-rOOm and he was alone.
While he thus stood, casting up a column
of figures upon Il page Of one of the ledgers.
the door was opened, and Charles Aubrey
entered. He was yet pale and haggard,
and looked as he did when we saw him
two hours ago. The merchant started
back with an utterance of pain and surprise
as he recognized in the miserable form be-
fore him the once happy and beloved youth
whom he had delighted to honor.
'.Charles!'' he uttered. as soon as he
could command his speech, '.Why have
you come here?''
MIR. Williams" spoke the youth in
choking voice. IL have come to-tO-tell
you that my course of wickedness is run.
and from this moment l am
Here he stopped. He hesitated mo-
ment, and then his feelings overcame him
and bowling his head he burst into tears,
and sobs. loud and deep, broke from his
lips. The merchant was deeply affected.
and with the warm tears gathering quick
ly in his own eyes, he started forward and
placed his hand upon the youths head.
..Charles," he uttered in a tremulOus,
eager voice, ''have you resolved to be a
man!''
"With Gods help will be a man again!''
was the youths reply.
us your money all gomez"
"Yes, sir. This morning had one sOl-
tary sixpence left, and that gave to poor
old woman who bade me come here.''
AYE, know her. She is an unfortu-
nate creature, and has suffered much. /
bade her if she saw you, and you were
cast down and repentant, to send you here,
for heard yesterday that you were at the
foot of the precipice. Now if you are de
you shall not want for help"
In eager, broken, sobbing sentences.
Charles poured out his thanks and stated
the resolution he had taken.
Sand now," said Mr.. Williams, after the
matter had been talked over, 1--WE must