The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-08-08
THE LAST sIxpENcE.

vember that Charles Aubrey emerged
from an old shed where he had passed
the last part of the night under pile
of sheep-skins. As he stood there now,
his lips were parched, and his limbs
shook as though with the palsy. He
mechanically placed his hand in his
pocket and took therefrom a sixpence.
He searched further-felt in every
pocket-but he could find no more.
That single sixpence was the last of his
fortune.
"Ah, Charley, Charley" he mur-
INJURED to himself, you've run your
race. Where now are the friends who
have SO long hung about you? One
poor sixpencei 1t will buy me one glass
of grog to allay my burning thirst. Oh,
would to God it would buy me one true
friendin
He raised his eyes and beheld an old
woman with bended back, who came
tottering on slowly and tremblingly.
Her garments were torn and tattered,
and the thin gray hair hung matted and
uncombed. She stopped whenshe came
to where the youth stood and leaned
heavily upon her staff.
"Charity, good sir" she uttered, in
hoarse, tremulous tones. Give me
wherewith to purchase single meal,
and I'll ask God to bless thee"
"By my life, good woman, you are
the very one / have been wishing for.
Here is all / have; it is my lastsixpence
Take it. / have only wished it could
bring me one true friend"
But what good would come of that
while you continue to curse yourself p
The youth started, but he spoke not.
"If you would have me for friend,
will you listen to me as friendT
"Listen7 Yes"
"Then let this be your lowest vale of
life,n said the woman, with startling
solemnity. "Turn now and go up hill
Go up, up, till you have reached the
sunshine once more. | knew your
mother, Charles Aubrey, and remem-
Der well how kind she was. Oh, did she
think that her well-beloved son would
sink so lowp
"Stop, STOP" groaned the unhappy
youth. " "Oh, who shall give me the
first lift to regain all / have lost 2" !.
al will.
You? Who are your 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 you the first lift. I
mean by that I can show you the way.
Follow my counsel, and youmay yet re-
cover ell that you have lost"
Ill nh &hara SC
loss 1 can never make upT' 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 turn
from the evil which has brought you
down. You know what it is as well as
do. Can you do this9"
cay, had done it ere you came up."
"Then the next step. Go and make
a friend who can help you further. Go
to Amos Williams. and"
mo, no, not there. Oh, not there p'
interrupted 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 go to him."
"But listen. / heard Mr.. Williams
say with his own lips that he would help
you if he could; that he would give you
his hand if you would only help your.
SELF"
"Did he say se? uttered Charles,
eagerly.
nHe did. And now, Charles Aubrey
be assured that you have not lost every
thing. Let people know that you NEAR
to arise and be a man, and all whose
friendship is worth having will give
you their hands. Goto Amos Williams
frstp
"Iwill CO."
"Then give me the sixpence."
Amos Williams stood at the grea
desk in his counting-room, and he wa
alone. While he thus stood, casting VI
column of figures upon a page of ont
of the ledgers, the door was opened, an(
Charles Aubrey entered. He was We
pale and haggard, and looked as he diC
when we saw him two hours ago. Th
merchant started back with an utter
ance of pain and surprise as he recog
nlzed in the miserable form before hin
the once happy and beloved youtl
whom he delighted to honor.
"Charlesp he uttered, as soon as h
could command his speech, "why hav
you come herep
"Mr. Williams" spoke the youth, in
choking voice, 81 have come to-to-
tell you that my course of wickedness j
run, and from this moment am"
Here he stopped. He hesitated me
ment, and then his feelings overcom
him, and bowling his head he burst int
tears, and sobs loud and deep brok
from his lips. The merchant was deepl
affected, and with the warm tears gatl
sring quickly in his own eyes he starte
forward and placed his hand upon tn
youths head.