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Show Only a Milvtir Dollar. CTtisonlya silver dollar -it's grimy and old and worn; tho last that is in my pocket, and it goes for a morning horn, as hundreds have gone before it, as hundreds more may go, for a second of shallow pleasure, an ago of remorse ant woe. It's enly a silver dollar tho last that my eyes may sen, and it litis been owned and handled by scores ere it came to me; it's dated in 'ti?, when I was a boy, and thought thata wretched nmall silver dollar was largo as a wheel ah, rot! This dollar in years now vanished perhaps was a boon to one, a boon to some struggling toiler, who groaned 'neath the midday sun; perhaps to the lonely widow, who wept for tho silent dead, it brought to her homo soino comfort, to her children, perhaps, some bread; all, yes, to tho starving children, in hut that knew naught of gold, brought food in tho heat of summer, and faggots when days were cold; perhaps they may owe existence, and fort tine and joy and fame, to this dollar of 'tiT, tho last that is to my name. Perhaps Per-haps by the (ianges river, some man as a heat hen troil, and found the way by this dollar, to tho glory and grace of (iod; and if, in erratic travels, it guided a human soul, above all tho slums and darkness, the rivers of death thut roll, then have 1 the right to spend it? This dollar may sacred be well, well; it is queer how fancies this morning surg ! over me! It's queer - but the same old craving comet over me as of yore, I pause, and I'm vaccilatmg one hand on the gin mill dour; I pause -but the pause is useless though close by the chasm's brink. I throw on the liar my dollar, and call for the morning drink. Walt Mason. |