The Stranger | Page 4

years I
have never seen him smile. What will be his fate at last? Nothing
diverts him. Oh, if he would but attach himself to any living thing!
Were it an animal--for something man must love.
Enter TOBIAS, from the Hut.
Tob. Oh! how refreshing, after seven long weeks, to feel these warm
sun beams once again! Thanks! thanks! bounteous Heaven, for the joy I
taste.
[Presses his cap between his hands, looks up and prays.--The
STRANGER observes him attentively.

Fra. [To the STRANGER.] This old man's share of earthly happiness
can be but little; yet mark how grateful he is for his portion of it.
Stra. Because, though old, he is but a child in the leading strings of
Hope.
Fra. Hope is the nurse of life.
Stra. And her cradle is the grave.
[TOBIAS replaces his cap.
Fra. I wish you joy. I am glad to see you are so much recovered.
Tob. Thank you. Heaven, and the assistance of a kind lady, have saved
me for another year or two.
Fra. How old are you, pray?
Tob. Seventy-six. To be sure I can expect but little joy before I die. Yet,
there is another, and a better world.
Fra. To the unfortunate, then, death is scarce an evil?
Tob. Am I so unfortunate? Do I not enjoy this glorious morning? Am I
not in health again! Believe me, sir, he, who, leaving the bed of
sickness, for the first time breathes the fresh pure air, is, at that moment,
the happiest of his Maker's creatures.
Fra. Yet 'tis a happiness that fails upon enjoyment.
Tob. True; but less so in old age. Some fifty years ago my father left
me this cottage. I was a strong lad; and took an honest wife. Heaven
blessed my farm with rich crops, and my marriage with five children.
This lasted nine or ten years. Two of my children died. I felt it sorely.
The land was afflicted with a famine. My wife assisted me in
supporting our family: but four years after, she left our dwelling for a
better place. And of my five children only one son remained. This was
blow upon blow. It was long before I regained my fortitude. At length

resignation and religion had their effect. I again attached myself to life.
My son grew, and helped me in my work. Now the state has called him
away to bear a musket. This is to me a loss indeed. I can work no more.
I am old and weak; and true it is, but for Mrs. Haller, I must have
perished.
Fra. Still then life has its charms for you?
Tob. Why not, while the world holds any thing that's dear to me? Have
not I a son?
Fra. Who knows, that you will ever see him more? He may be dead.
Tob. Alas! he may. But as long as I am not sure of it, he lives to me:
And if he falls, 'tis in his country's cause. Nay, should I lose him, still I
should not wish to die. Here is the hut in which I was born. Here is the
tree that grew with me; and, I am almost ashamed to confess it--I have
a dog, I love.
Fra. A dog!
Tob. Yes!--Smile if you please: but hear me. My benefactress once
came to my hut herself, some time before you fixed here. The poor
animal, unused to see the form of elegance and beauty enter the door of
penury, growled at her.--"I wonder you keep that surly, ugly animal,
Mr. Tobias," said she; "you, who have hardly food enough for
yourself."--"Ah, madam," I replied, "if I part with him, are you sure
that any thing else will love me?"--She was pleased with my answer.
Fra. [To STRANGER.] Excuse me, sir; but I wish you had listened.
Stra. I have listened.
Fra. Then, sir, I wish you would follow this poor old man's example.
Stra. [Pauses.] Here; take this book, and lay it on my desk. [Francis
goes into the Lodge with the book.] How much has this Mrs. Haller
given you?

Tob. Oh, sir, she has given me so much, that I can look towards winter
without fear.
Stra. No more?
Tob. What could I do with more?--Ah! true; I might--
Stra. I know it.--You might buy your son's release.--There!
[Presses a purse into his hand, and exit.
Tob. What is all this? [Opens the purse, and finds it full of gold.]
Merciful Heaven!--
Enter FRANCIS.
--Now look, sir: is confidence in Heaven unrewarded?
Fra. I wish you joy! My master gave you this!
Tob. Yes, your noble master. Heaven reward him!
Fra. Just like him. He sent me with his book, that no one might be
witness to his bounty.
Tob. He would not