Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-02-08
THE LAST SlXPENCE.

IL was II chill bleak morning i'll No
cmber that Charles Aubrey emerged
rom 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 mechan-
ically placed his hand i'll his pocket
and took therefrom n sixpence. lie
searched further--felt i'll every pocket
hut he could find no more That
single sixpence was the last Of his for
tune.
All, Charley, Charley" he muir
INJURED to himself, you've rum your
race. Now where are the friends who
nave 50 long hung about you? One
)oor sixpencc 1t will buy me one glass
Of grog to allay my burning thirst Oh,
would Ia God il would huv mo enc true
friend -
He raised his eye, and bchcld an old
woman with hended back, who came
tottering on slowly and trcmblingly.
Her garments were torn and tattercd,
and the thin gray hair hung matted
and uncomcd. She stopped whom
she camo to the spot where the youth
stood and leaned heavily upon her
staff
Charity, good Sir, She said in hoarse
and trcmuous tones "Giye me where
with to purchase single meal, and Ill
ask God to bless thee.
"By my life, good woman, YOU are the
one have been wishing for. Here, il is
al have-it is my last sixpcnce Take
It. have only wished that il could buy
mc ono true friend"
But what would como Of that while
you continued to curse yourself?'
The youth started, but he spoke not.
II YOU would have me for friend,
viii YOU listen to me aS il fricnd2 n
Listen? Yes"
Then let this bo your lowest vale Of
ife.o said the woman, with startling
.olemnity. Turn now and go up hill.
30 up, up, until you have reached the
sunshine once more. | knew your
mother, Charles Aubrey and | remem-
ncr we'll how Kind she was. Oh, did she
ayer think that her we'll beloved son
would sink 50 low?
Al" Stop, stop, groaned the unhappy
youth. "Oh, who shall give me the first
lift 70 regain all hayc lost
] will.
You Whoarc YOU You say von
new my mother. Who are you2'
Never mind. Suffice il for you to
know that suffered as deeply Al YOU
eyer did. | know Nhat il i to suffer. /
.av can give YOU the first lift mean
~ that can show YOU theWay Follow
my counsel, and you may vet recover All
that you have lost.
M, 10. hot all. oh. there i one
ioss I can never make up and as he
spoke ho bowed his head and covered
1is face With his hands.
Let no such feelings be with You
aow. First resolve that You will turn
rom The evil which has brought You
low... You know What il j, a9 we'll a
do. Can YOU do this n
Aye, had done i cre you came
Then take tho next step. GO and
Sin a friend who can help you further.
io III Amos Williams and
~, no. not there. Ob not thcrc,
Interrupted Charle-.
(io to his store and freely confess u
aim all vour faillt7, resumed the kind
sid woman, without seeming to notice
the interruption. Tell hin1 all and ask
lin1 10 trust youonce more,
~. no. / dare u0i eo ~ hlm.
Bnt i.ten. | heard NJ Williams
AN with hi, own lir, thai he would
aclp y99 III .e could ttaa he would
rive you MS Aand 8 yua would only
aelu yours.i.
lid hc say tBat uttered 'ialle..
n great eafne stne.-
Hedid. And noN. Charles Aubrey
w assured that yoa hale nat lo-t
vervthine. III people know that YOU
aleaa NJ afi-r aad ha man al7a alf