Year: 1863

ing in the dark entry way below, and the
woman held the lamp while Roger went
to speak with him.


The old man was tremulous with a
vague apprehension that something was
going to happen to him nor was this
fear entirely disappointed when in the
person who took is hand, and addressed
him in kindly words, he recognized the
man that had so lately helped him to re-
gain his footing in the slippery street.


i was afraid / should not find you,
said the visitor, but from the time you
left your words-'Old Roger johnson,
around the corner, Sd door up the alley,
kept ringing in my ears, and was final
ly compelled to come back and look for
you


God bless you, SIR articulated the
shivering old man this is an honor |
know not how l have deserved. You
must have made mistake


Not at all. l thought you might have
need of assistance


True, sir, am poor enough, but


Rogers voice failed him, and be be-
gan to shake again as with ague.


You are cold,' said his new friend
Come, let US step into yonder shop, and
talk over matters


Roger hesitated.


They turn me out, sir, when l go
there TO warm


They will not turn me out replied
the other-'so come along


They entered common refreshment
saloon, and by the counteIance and pro-
lection of his new friend, Roger was
permitted TO enjoy a seat by the stove.


You look like a man who has seen
hard times observed the stranger.


4 have suffered almost everything,
sir replied johnson in a subdued, un-
steady tone. L don't know why / am
left to live


But you have some idea of happiness
in store for you yet; no man is without
that, you know.


i sometimes dream Of such thing
l have hopes, sir-rainbow-colored some
Of 'em are, too. But its all delusion. My
castles are built in the air, and they are
forever tumbing down about my ears.
| know what would make me happy, sir,
but what's the use of talking? Its some
thing l cannot have


Speak out, friend Johnson, cried the
stranger. But be careful not to place
your expectations too high. The Gods
love modesty, you know


We'll, sir, it is just this-notbing
more nor less-three meals day


Three meals day!


Il know you called it extravagant,' said
Roger with faint smile. But would
not mind your rich dishes only give me
a plenty of bread and potatoes-with
now and then bit of cheese or salt fish,
or may be a morsel of smoked beet, or
dried bacon. Make me sure of that, day
by day as long as / live, so that !
can keep clear of the alms-house, and
you'd see me happy man, if there's
not another in creation.


'And haven't you as much already|
cried the astonished stranger.


Roger replied that, with his very poor
health it was difficult to get work that
winter, and it was so painful to ask aims
that his subsistence did not average half
meal a day.


Good heavens exclaimed his friend;
lin all this wasteful city, is it possible
that one man can be found reduced to
such extremes ? One, too, whose hap
piness can be so cheaply purchased
three poor meals day.


Cheap, if one had the money replied
Roger.


Il have the money, and by all that is
precious, / will devote so much of it to
a pension that it will afford you this roy
al bliss


'Oh, sir, don't jest with me-


i am not jesting, friend johnson. To
show you how earnest / am-waiter,
cook for this man the choicest steak you
have. Or would you prefer mutton
chops, or anything else on the bill p
Speak for yourself


As soon as the old man had sufficient
ly recovered from his amazement to re-
alize bis good fortune, be made choice of
cold fowl with hot biscuit and coffee, be-
cause these comforting items could be
most readily procured.


The sympathizing stranger-who by
the way, was fine looking man of forty,
with tasteful whiskers, and an extreme
ly pleasant eye--seemed to enjoy the