Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-02-07
THE LAST SIXPENCE.

from an old shed where he had passed
the last part of the night under pile of
sheep skins.
As young Aubrey stood there now his
lips were parched, and his limbs shook
as though with the palsy. He mechan-
ically placed his hand i'll his pocket
and took therefrom a sixpence. He
searched further-felt in every pocket
bat he could find no more. That
single sixpence was the last of his for
tune.
"Ah, Charley, Charley" he muir
INJURED to himself, you've run your
race. Now where are the friends who
have 80 long hung about you? One
poor sixpence 1t will buy me one glass
of grog to allay my burning thirst. Oh,
would to God it would buy me one true
friend !"
He raised his eyes and beheld an old
woman with Bonded back, who came
lettering on slowly and tremblingly.
Her garments were torn and tattered,
and the thin gray hair hung matted
and uncomed. She stopped when
she came to the spot where the youth
stood, and leared heavily upon her
staff.
Charity, good sir" she said in hoarse
and tremulous tones. "Give me where
with to purchase a single meal, and I'll
ask God to bless thee"
"By my life, good woman, you are the
one have been wishing for. Here, it is
all have-it is my last sixpence Take
it. / have only wished that it could buy
me one true friend"
But what would come of that while
you continued to curse yourself?"
The youth started, but he spoke not.
If you would have me for q friend
will you listen to me as a friend ?"
Listen? Yes"
"Then let this be your lowest vale Of
life" said the woman, with startling
solemnity. "Turn now and go up hill
Go up, up, until you have reached the
sunshine once more. [ knew your
mother, Charles Aubrey, and remem-
Der we'll 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. "Oh, who shall give me the first
lift to regain all have lost?"
| will"
You? Who are you? You say you
knew my mother Who are your
Never mind. Suffice it for you to
know that 1 suffered as deeply as you
ever did, | know what it is 20 suffer. l
say can give you the first lift. [ mean
by that can show you the way. Follow
my counsel, and you may vet 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 no 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 this?"
"Aye, | had done it ere you came
Then take the next step. Go and
win q friend who can help you further.
Go to Amos Williams, and"
" No, no. not there Oh, not there, )"
interrupted Charles.
go to his store and freely confess to
him all your faults, resumed the kind
old woman, without seeming to notice
the interruption. " Tell him all and 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 yourself"
Did he say that ?" uttered Charles,
IN great earnestness.
He 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 good will is worth having will
give you their hands Go to Amos
Williams first -
will GO
" Then give me the sixpence."
Amos Williams stood at the great desk
in his counting-room and he was alone.
While he thus stood, casting up a col
umn of figures on a page Of one of the
ledgers, the door was opened and Charles
Aubrey entered. He was still 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 us he recognized in the
miserable form before him the once
happy and beloved youth whom he de-
lighted to honor.
Charles" he uttered, as soon rs he
could command his speech, why have
you come here?'
Mr.. Williams" spoke the boy, in
choking voice, 81 have come toto
tell you that my course of wickedness is
run, and from this moment l am"
Here he stopped. He hesitated
moment, and then his feelings over
came him, and, bowling his head, he
hurst into tears, and sobs, loud and
deep, broke from his lips. The mer-
chant was deeply affected, and with the
warm tears gathering quickly in his own
eyes he started forward and placed his
hand on the poor boys head.
" Charles" he said, in tremulous and
eager voice, I" have you resolved to be
man."
with Gods help, l will be a man
once more" was the youths reply.
:" Is your money all gomez"
Eyes, sir. This morning l had lust a
solitary sixpence left, and that l gave to
poor old woman, who babe me come
to you."
AYE, know her She is an unfor-
tunate creature, and has suffered much.
I babe her, if she saw you, and you were