Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1892 — Pathetic Farewell. [ARTICLE]

Pathetic Farewell.

Jacques Jasmin, a barber and poet of France, began life In extreme poverty. That the pathetlo events of such a childhood must have suhk into his soul may be guessed from one incident which, in after years, he set down in his “Becollectlons.” His grandfather, when too old and infirm to solicit alms, quietly made arrangements to be carried to an almshouse in order that he might no longer burden the family. Jasmin says: I was then ten years old. I was playing in the square with my companions, girded With a wooden sword, and I was king; but suddenly a dreadful spectacle disturbed my royalty. I saw an old man In an arm-chair borne along by several fersons. The bearers approaohed, and recognized fny own grandfather. In my grief I saw only him. I ran up to him in tears, threw myself on his neck, and kissed him. He returned my embrace and wept. “O grandfather," said I, “where are you going? Why are you leaving our horqp?” “My child,” said he, “I am going to the almshouse, where all the Jasmins die.” He again embraced me, closed his eyes, and was carried away. We followed him for some time under the trees, and then I abandoned my play and returned home, full of sorrow. In five days the dear old man quietly breathed his last. His wallet was hung up on its usual nail in the home, but it was never used again. One of the bread-winners had departed, and the family was poorer than ever. On that Monday I knew and felt for the first time that we were very poor. Fortune came to me years after, but for some of those I loved she came too late.