Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-11-21

A Touch of Nature.

4 Touch Of Nature.
He was walking up the street, peering
in on the Italians glancing into open
windows at junk buyers, and now and
then entering alleys to inspect rickety
old vehicles standing in front of barns.
"What am looking forY he answered
a policeman. "Well, it may strike you
as foolish, but I've been seeking around
keep it up for another; Pm looking for a
rag buyer. I'd know his rig if should
see it again, but haven't the least idea
where he lives or when Pll find him."
did he steal something from your
"N-no," was the hesitating reply.
want him arrested for anythingP
Mono"
The officer was wondering what the
cause could be, when the man said:
II feel a bit ashamed to tell YOU, but
perhaps you won't laugh at me. You see
1 have old clothes on, and 1 don't look
as if had any cash to spare. Pm only
a poor laboring man, renting cottage
up by the reservoir, and, though I've
only the old woman with me, it's often
that We barely have enough to eat.
When there's plenty Of work, one of US
is sure to fall sick, and when we are in
health the world goes dead against us.
It is a sort Of life and death struggle
with us, and sometimes We sit in the
darkness and wish we were dead and
buried 'longside of our little BERTHE up
in the poor folks share of the cemetery.
That little grave up there is all that
keeps US here-We cling to life that We
may keep flowers growing there. I've
stood on the streets many a time, and
felt like goingto death at one jump, b
that grave rose up to warn me back. On
my way home at night, I've feared,
time after time. to find the house de-
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fore the first year was gone. Those rel
les were our riches. We wouldn't ex-
change them for riches. One day about
a month ago a rag buyer came along
You may think it funny, but ever the
poor sometimes have rags to sell. NV
wife made up little bundle that day.
enough to get tin cup, or something OF
the kind-and in some way or other
Bertie's frock-our dead child's Sunday
frock-got mixed up with the rags and
papers, and was sold and carried off.
My wife has done nothing but weep and
lament since that day, and I've looked
here and there and everywhere in hopes
to find the ragman, and get the precious
relic back. 1t may seem little thing to
you, sir; but to us-we remember the
first time she wore it-hoW proud she
we took her walling-how
much she looked like rich mans child.
That dress had more tear stains than all
the other relics, and though I haven't
fifty dollars worth of furniture in the
house, I'd give every stick of it, and go
into the street, to find Bertie's Sunday
frock. don't expect to get it now. It
has probably been sent to the paper mill
before this, and we've lost it forever"
"Im sorry" said the policeman.
And when l go home tonight" soft
y said the man, my wife will be stand
ing at the gate, watching and hoping;
and as far as she can see me she'll know
by my face that my search has been for
had rather lose finger than
meet her white face and sorrowful look.
wish we were both dead p
And with weary step and hopeless
heart he dragged along, having such a
mission as neither hope, nor despair, nor
ove. brings to one in ten thousand.