The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-01-13
Going To The Almshouse.

about going to the almShouse. Mr..
Mason's family are worthy people, well
calculated to have charge Of the house;
and perhaps they will remain there quite
while. We can make ourselves useful;
and in trying to make others happy we
shall be happy ourselves. We will do
the best we can and trust in Him who
will be to us as the shadow of a great
rock in weary land. If we are SO blest
as to have place in the house of many
mansions, the thought of the almshouse
sheltering us here will not disturb our
joy over there"
"Martha, it is more on your account
than on mine that l grieve so about leav-
ing our pleasant home, where we have
lived so happily together for long years,
although we have had our share of sorrow
as well as joy. We reared quite large
family, but they have all passed away but
Lucinda, if Tommie is not living OF late l
have thought much about him, and it
almost seems to me that | shall hear his
|
for Mr. Welch over here any time now to
notify us to leave as it has been some
little time since he foreclosed on the
mortgage. We cannot expect much
mercy from that quarter, for a ten cent
piece was always the size of full moon
with him.
Grandfather and grandmother Jones
had lived together almost long enough
to have a golden wedding. 1t lacked
only few days of half century since
their troth was plighted. Quite num-
Der of children were welcomed to their
home, but they all passed away but
son and daughter after reaching mature
years. The son left his early home to
seek his fortune in a distant land. The
daughter married wealthy man by the
name of Frost, and resided in a neighbor-
ing city, After her marriage she seemed
to lose all interest in her parents, if she
, ever had any. With her prosperity
developed no noble qualities, that perhaps
adversely might have brought out.
As grandfather expected, Mr.. WEIGH
came over and told him he would like
for them to leave the premises as soon as
convenient, as he had an opportunity to
sell the farm The same day, Mrs. Frost
made them call She told her parents
she heard they were about leaving their
old home and said: 81 would give you
home if | could, but we move in the high
est circles, and our home is a resort for
some of the most aristocratc people in
the city. You and mother would feel very
much out of place there"
Grandfather remarked, ''we should feel
out of place in any home, where we were
not welcome
After Mrs. Frost left her parents began
to make arrangements for leaving the
next day. After helping grandfather
awhile, grandmother began to prepare
their evening meal, as she thought for the
last time in their home. Just as they
We're ready to be seated at the table there
was rapa the door. Grandfather open
ed it and found tired looking stranger
who wished to know if he could pass the
night there. Grandfather welcomed him
as he always did the weary. The
stranger was soon seated at ''the board"
with the aged couple. They found him a
very interesting man, one who could con-
verse on almost any subject. After engag-
ing in pleasant conversation awhile, the
stranger sang ''Nearer my God to Thee
When ne closed the aged couple remark
ed, chow much your voice reminds us Of
our sons. You have sung a fayorite
hymn of his Then the stranger ex-
claimed, ''Father and mother, don't
you know Tommie? | am your son, who
left you Is years ago to seek my fortune
in distant land
They wept tears of JOY together 1t
seemed that grandfather's and grand
mother cup of JOY was full and running
over. Their son was overjoyed that he
found his parents living. When they told
him that they intended to leave their
home the following day he was grieved to
know of their financial trouble, when he
had the means to assist them. He did not
hear from home while absent, but wrote
until he got tired of writing.
While Tommie was away he had applied
himself to business and he came home
wealthy man. From his youth up it had
been the desire of his heart to travel in
the Holy Land, where the Saviour's foot
steps trod. The last two years of his alb
sence he passed in that land, and beheld
many of its wonders.
He inquired of his parents about the
friends he left behind. They told him he
could read the names of many of them in
the village cemetery. Among the num-
Der that he inquired after was a class
mate, who ever seemed pleased to answer
question that puzzled him. His par
ents were pleased to tell him that she re-
manned at home with her parents, al
though she had refused good offers of
marriage.
Before retiring grandfather read from
the good old Book and with a heart of
gratitude returned thanks to God