THE ALMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 12

THE ALMS.

In thd neighbourhood of a great city, on the broad high-road, walked a sick old man. He tottered in his gait, his fleshless feet moved with difficulty and uncertainty, stumbled and ehuffled as if they did not bolong to him ! His clothing hung down in rags ! His uncovered head had fallen on his breast. His strength was totally exhausted. He sat down on a stone by the wayside, bent forward^ rested hi 3 elbow oh his krtees, and covered his face with both hahds, tearß fell through the bent fihgerfi on the dry grey dust. He was thinking of the past. He remembered how he was once wealthy and rich, how he then lost his wealth ahd bestowed his riches on friends and foes. Alas, and now he has not so much as a piece of bread ; they have all forsaken him, the Mends even before the foes ! Must he humiliate himself so far ac to beg for alrtiß? At the thought deep shame filled his breast. And his tears ran and fan* forming figures in the dust. Suddenly he heard someone call him by name. He /aised his weary head, and saw a person unknown standing before him. Hiß face Was oalm and disfigured, but there was no Severity in it; his eyes seethed clear /ather than flashing ! Hiß look was penetrating, but hot illtlatured; "Thotl hast distributed all thy riches," began the Unknown in a gentle voice. "Dost thou not regret the good deedfe thou hast done?" "I do hot regret them," answered the old man with a sigh ; "even though nbw I must die of hunger." "Well, if there had been no beggars to hold out their hands to thee," contintied the Unknown, "of course, thou had'st not had ah opportunity to show thy benevolent disposition?" The old man answered nothing, but reflected. "Well, then, do hot thou be proud, poor old man," resumed the Unknown, "look up, reach out thy hand, and now give to other good men the opportunity to show by deeds their kindness of heart." The old man started back and raised his eyes, but the Jnknowh had disappeared. In the distance someone came along the road. The old mart approached the traveller ahd held out his hand. But with a cold look the other turned away and gave him nothing. But then came along a second traveller, ahd he bestowed oh the old man a small aims. Ahd the oid man bought for himseif bread to the "value of oho coin received, and the morsel he had obtained by pegging tasted sweet, and ho feelihg of Shame was any more in his heart; oh the contrary a calm joy returned to his soul.— lvan Turgetlien*, in The Seeker.