The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-08-06
BREADUPON THE WATER.

worn ont with age-all our chil
.dren removed from us by the hans
of death, and ere long we must b
the inmates Of the poorhouse:
Where, now, is all the bread yot
have cast upon the waters2"
The old, white.haired mani locke
up at his wife. He was, indeed
bent down with years, and age 81
tremblingly upon him. JasoI
Manfred had been a comparative,
wealthy man, and while fortune
smiled upon him, he had eyerHs
among the tirst to lend a listens
ear anda helping hand tot the ca
Of distress. But now misfortuu
was his. OF his four boysSnot onI
was left. Sickness and failing o.
strength found hiin with.6us ttle
and they left him penniless. An
oppressive embargoup The ship
ping business had ben the first
weight upon his head, and Other
misfortunes came in painful sue
cession. Jarob and his wife were
all alone, and gaunt poverty looked
them coldly in the face.
"Don't repine, Susan" said the
old man. "True, We are poor, but
we arc not yet forsaken."
"Not forsaken, Jacob2 Who is
there to help up now2"
Jacob raised his trembling finger
toward heaven.
"Ab, Jacob, l know God is our
friend; but we should bave friends
here. Look buck and see how
many you have befriended in days
long past. You cast your bread
upon the waters with a friendly BY
hand, but it has not yet returned
to you"
"Hush, Susan, you forget what
you say. To be sure I may have
hoped that some kind hand Of
earth would lift me from the cold
depths Of utter want; but l do not
expect it as a reward for anything
l may have done. If l have help.
ed the unsfortunate in days gone
BY, | have had my full reward in
knowing that l have done my duty
to my fellows. o, Of all the kind
deeds l have done to my suffering
fellows, l would not for gold have
one Of them blOtted out Of my
memory. All, my fond wife, Ills
the memory Of the good done in
life that makes old age happy
Even now, l can hear again the
warm thanks Of those whom l have
bcfriended, and again | can see
their smiles"
ayes, Jacob" returned the wife,
in a lower tone. "Iknow you have
been good, and in your memory
you can be happy; but, alasl there
is a present upon which We must
look-there is a reality upon which
we must dwell, We must beg for
food, or starve!"
The old man started, and a deep
mark Of pain was drawn across his
features.
"Begl" he replied with a quick
shudder. "No, susan-we are"
He hesitatel, and a big tear roll.
ed down his furrowed cheek.
@We are what, JacoS2"
"We are goingto the poor.housel''
70, GodI | thought sol" fell from
his poor wife's lips, as she covered
her face with her hands. l have
thought so, and l havetrie to bear
the thought, but my poor heart
will not bear i'll"
"Do not give up, susan," softly
urged the old man, laying his hand
upon her arm. SIT makes but
little difference to US now. We
have not long to remain on earth
and let US not wear our last days
out in repining. Come, come"
"But when.-shall we gcR'
"Now-to.day."
"Then God have mercy on usI"
"He will" murmured Jacob.
That old couple sat for a while
in silence. When they were
aroused from their painful thoughts
it was by the stopping Of a wagon
in front Of the door. A man enter
ed the room whore they sat- HI
was the keeper of the poor.house
"Come, Mr.. Manfred he said
"the selectmcn have managed t.
crowd you into the poor.house. :
The wagon is at the door, aud yor
can get ready as soon as possible
Jacob Manfred had not calculated
the strength necessary for thi
n,looI Tko.o 500, o.il... 4,