The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-20
THE LAST SIxPENcE.

November that Charles Aubrey emerged
from an old shed where he had passed
the last part Of the night under a pile oi
sheeps6ins.
AS young Aubrey stood there now, his
lips were parched, and his limbs shook
as though with the palsy. He mechani-
cally placed his hand in his pocket, and
took therefrom siXpence. He searched
further-felt in every pocket-but he
could find nomore. That single slxpence
was the last OF his fortune.
"Ah, Charley, Charley" he murmured
to himself" ~ ou'Ve run your race. Where
now are the friends who have SO long
hung about you? One poor siXpencel II
Will buy me one glass OF grog to allay my
burning thirst. U, would to God II would
buy me one true lrlendP
He raised his eyes, and beheld an old
woman, with bended back, wuo came
tottefing on, slowly and tremblingly.
Her garments were torn and tattered,
and the thin, gray hair hung matted and
uncomDed. Sue stopped when she came
TO where the youth stood, and leaned
heavily upon her staff.
"Charlty, good sirw she uttered, in
hoarse, uemulous tones. "Glve me
wherewith to purchase a single meal,
and Pll ask God to bless thee."
"By my life, good woman, you are the
very one have been wishing tor. Here
it is all haVe-it is my last sixpence!
Take 1t. have only wished that il
could buy me one true friend.'
"But what good could come of that
while you continued to curse yourselfW
The youth started, but he spoke not.
"It you would have me for friend,
will YOU listen to me as a lriendy"
"Listen? Yes"
"rhen let this be your lowest vale OF
life," said the woman, with startling sol
emnity. ''Turn now and 20 up hill. Go
up, up, until you have reached the sun.
shine once more. l knew your mother,
Charles Aubrey, and l remember we'll
now kind she was. D, did she ever
think that her WelI-beloyed son would
sink so loWV
"Stop, stop" groaDed the unhappy
youth. so, who shall give me the hrsI
lift 70 regain all have lost?'
II will"
"YouY Who are you? You say yol
knew my mother. VINO are yUu?'
"NeYer mind. Suffice IL for you Il
| know that l have suffered as deeply al
YOU ever did. know what it is to sui
| fer. say can give you The first lit
mean by that mat | can show you th
| way, Follow my counsel, and you ma,
yet recover all That you have lost"
"No, no, not all. D, there is one los
| can never make upW And as he spok
ne bowed his head and covered his fac
with his hands.
"Let not such feelings be with yo
now. FIRST resolve that you will tur
from the evil that has brought you down
You know what il is as Well as L DC
4
Can you do this"
cay, l had done it ere you came up.
"Ihen take the next step. Go an
make friend who can help you further
Go TO Amos Williams and"
mo, not there. o, not there" inter
rupted Charles.
100 10 his store and freely confess t
him all your faults" resumed th
| woman, without seeming to notice th
interruption. "reh HIM al, and the
ask him to trust you once more"
"No, no, uare not ~ 10 m"
"But listen. | heard Mr.. Williams sa
with his own lips that he would mel
YOU if ne could; tnat he would give yo
his hand il you would only hep YOU
sel1."
"Dld he say thatw uttered Charles
eagerly.
"Ae did. And now, Charles Aubre,
be assured that you have not lost everl
thing. Let people know that You mea
TO ARISE and be man, and all who's
friendship Is worth having will give yo
their nanus. Go to Amos William
first"
81 will Co."
"fhen slve me the sixpence."
~
Amos Williams stood at the greg
desk in his cOunting-roOm, and he wa
alone. While he thus stood, casting u
a column OF hgures upon a page OF on
of the ledgers, the door was opened an
Charles Aubrey entered. He was ye
pale and haggard, and looked as he di
Wnen we saw him two hours ago. Th
mercnant started back with an uttel
ance OF pain and surprise as be reco;
nized in the miserable form before hil
the once happy and beloved youth whor
he had delighted to honor.
"Charles," he uttered, as soon as b
could command his speech, "wby hav
YOU come hereW
"Mr. WilIiaps," spoke the youth in
choking VOICE, Il have come to--to-lel
you that my course OF wicked is rul
and from this moment am-d-"
Here he stopped. He hesitated M
menu, anu tueu HIS leellnE6 OVSrCam
MIN, and bowling his head he burst int
tears, and sobs, loud and deep, brok
from his lips. The merchant was dee pl
affected, and with the warm tears gatl
enng thickiy in his own eyes, he sLarie
forward and placed his hand upon th
youths head.
"Charles," he uttered in a tremulou.
eager voice, shave you resolved TO be
man~
"With Gods help l will be ma
agalnl' was the youths reply.
your money all goneW
"Yes, sir. Tlis morning had one sol
tary siXpence lett, and Thai gave to
poor ola woman who bade me TO com
here"
LAY, I know her. She is an unfortl
nate creature, and has suffered much,
bade her ii she saw you, aud you wer
cast down and repentant, to send 70
here, for heard yesterday that you wer
ut the foot OF the precip ce. Now,
you are determined, you shall not wan
Tor help.'
In eager, broken, sobbing sentence
Charles poured out his thanks, an
stated the resolution he had taken.
And now," said Mr. Williams, afte
the matter had been talked over some
1--WE must find a place where you ca
recruit your strength little before yo