The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-09
THE LAST sIXPENCE.

IL was q chill, bleak morning in November
that Charles Aubrey emerged from an old
shed where he had passed the last part Of the
night under a pile of sheep skins.
As young Aubrey 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 thereirOm
sixpence. He searched further-felt in
every pOcket-but he could find no more.
That single sixpence was the last OF his for
tune.
"Ah, Charley Charley" he murmured to
himself, you've run your race. Where
now are the friends who have 50 long hung
about you? One poor sixpencei It will
buy me one glass OF grog to allay my burn
ing thirst. Oh, would to God it would buy
me one true friend!'
He raised his eyes and beheld an old wo-
man 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 when she 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 a single meal, and I'll ask God to
bless thee"
''3y my life, good woman you are the
very one have been wishing for. Here 1t
is all have-it is my last sixpencei Take
it. | have only wished that it could buy me
one true friend"
Bat what good would cone of that while
you continued TO curse yourself?'
| The youth started, but he spoke not.
'If you would have me for friend will
you listen to me rs q friendTi
Listen? Yes"
'sThen let this be your lowest vale OF life, -
said the woman with startling solemnity.
Turn row and go up hill. Go up, up, until
you nave reached the sunshine once more.
1 a A,,l.-
remember well how kind she was. Oh, did
she ever think that her we'll beloved son
| would sink so low"
"Stop, stop" groaned the unhappy youth
"0h. whoshall give me the first lift TO regain
all have lost"
| II will"
''You? who are you? You say you knew
my mother. Who are your?
Never mind. Suffice it for you to know
| that l suffered as deeply as you ever did. l
| know what il is to suffer. | say l can give
| you the first lift mean by that can show
| you the way. Follow my counsel, and you
may yet recover all that you have lost"
"No no, not at all. Oh, there Is one loss
| [ can never make up" and as he spoke be
| bowed his head and covered his face with
! his hands
Let not such feelings be with you now
| First resolve that you viii turn from the
! evil which has brought you down. You
| know what it is as well as l do. Can you do
| IhisT'
.'Ay, had done it ere you came up"
"fhen take the next step. Go and make q
friend who can help you further. Go to
| Amos Williams and
'NO, 10, not there. o, not there" inter
rupted Charles.
| all your faults" resumed the woman, with
out seeming to notice the interruption.
Tell him all, and then ass 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
be could; that he would give you his hand
if you wouldonly help yourself"
'Did he say that2' uttered Charles, eager
ly.
''He did And now, Charles Aubrey, be
assured that you have not lost everything.
| Let people know that you mean to arise and
be q man, and all whose friendship is worth
having will give You their hands Go to
| Amos Williams first!''
81 will CO."
"Then give me the sixpence."
| Amos Williams stood at the great desk in
his counting roam and he was alone. While
he thus stood, casting up a column of figures
| upon 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 utteTance OF
pain and surprise as he recognized in the
miserable form before him the once happy
and beloved youth whom he had delighted
| to honor.
Charles" he uttered, as soon as he could
command bis speech, why have you come
| here?'
''Nir Williams spoke the youth in q
choking voice, II have come t0-tO-tell you
that my course of wickedness is run, and
| from this moment 1 am
Here he stopped. He hesitated q moment,
and then his feelings overcame him, and,
| bowing 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 quickly in his own
eyes ne 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.I will be a man again p'
was the youths reply.
"Is your money all gomez"
Yes SIR. This morning had one solitary
ixpence left, and that | gave 10 poor old
woman who bade me come here"
"Ay, know her. She is III unfortunate
creature, and has suffered much. | babe her
if she saw you, and you were cast down and
| repentunt, to send you here, for heard yes
terday that you were at the foot of the preci-
pice Now ii you are determined, you shall
not want for help"
In eager broken, sobbing sentences,
Charles poured out his thanks and stated the
resolution he had taken.
"And now said Mr. Williams, after the
matter had been talked over some, 1--WE
must find a place where you can recruit
your strength little before you try TO work.
| There is my brother who owns a faim a.
NJ. He would be & al 10 have you com
there and stop awhile; and when you wholly
recover your was ted strength you shall hay
place here"