The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-03-12
THE LOAF OF BREAD.
BY JANE WEAVER.

"Buy my matches-oh! DO Ouy them SIT,
said a plaintve voice.
The person addressed, clad in heavy
overcoat was breasting the sharp wind of a
December day, his throat was muffled up,
leaving only portion OF his face discerna-
BILE, but his dress bespoke one in comfortable
circumstances.
81 don't want your matches, lad" said
he.
"But do buy them-six boxes for ftp"
SECT out of the way" said, the man sharp
ly, for the lad half stopped the path.
''Oh! do buy some." said the boy detain-
ing him, by the skirt of his coat, smother is
sick, and l've had nothing TO eat to day. Do
buy fps WORTH"
The man hesilated. The natural impulses
of his heart were for good; bat he was one
accustomed 10 think the world worse than ii
was.
'sPshaw!" he said, ''that is the old story:
get out of the way, you young scamp, or iii
have you arrested"
The boy meekly drew back, but tear
frozen on his cheek in that bitter blast,
through the rich man saw it not, for he hur-
lried on.
1t was getting late, and the streets would
have been pitch dark, but for the lamps which
at long intervals lii up the night. Few were
abroad IN that winiry weather, and so the boy
stood shivering at his post for a long while
before second passenger came by Poor
fellow! he was thinly clad, and his lips were
blue with cold; yethe kept his station, vainly
offering his matches, but finding no buy
ers.
Ten o'clock struck, and with the tears fall
| ling fast, he turned his footsteps toward the
cellar in which he lived. He had been out
all day and sold nothing, nor had morsel of
food crossed his mouth since the night be-
fore. But he thought more of his sick moth
ert than of himself. The little capital had
been exhausted in the purchase of his
matches, and they had not cent remain-
ing,
Hepaused, for at that instant the light
from bakers shop streamed across the
street. The baker was just shutting up his
back was turned, the door was inviingIy
open, and within reach lay pile of loaves.
A sudden impulse seized the boy. An hour
previously he yainly begged at the same
shop, and that man had roughly ordered
him away. He had never stolen be fore, but
now irresistible temptation seized him
Should his molherslarve, when a single loal
might save her? Herushed in grasped the
prize, and dashed down street.
"Hilo!-sop thief" cried the baker tur-
ming around just in time TO see the act.
The boy head the cry and trembIed all
over. Fear lent speed to his feet and he ran
swiftly on, now and then turning 10 see ifhis
pursues gained on him.
"Stop thief! stop thief! stop thief!!!" was
the cry that rung from many pursuers, as
looking from their shops, they caught sight
of The fugitive, and joined in the chase.
The boys hear. beat wildly; he mechanic
ally turned his steps TO the cellar where he
lived: the narrow alley, in which it was
opened into the street just ahead: and he
stroVe desperately TO gain it. The watch
mans rattles were now heard in front, behind
all around; like hunted stag, painting and
frightened, he gained the end of the alley,
and dashed into the dark thorough fare. But
at the instant, man sprang out of the cor
ner house and seized the fugitive.
sab! you young thiel-you were nearly
off, where you?-come along-I am mag
istrate-you shall go to jail" and with these
words he dragged the culpril into his Office.
The boy burst into tears.
"Ah! sir" he said, "let me go. only
stole loaf of bread, and wouldn't have
done it, but we were starving. Mother and
| haven't eaten anything to-day and mother
is sick. | never stole before. Let me 60
and I'll never do it again."
The magistrates office was now full of
people, the baker being among the number.
The boy was sobbIng piteousy. The mag
strate ordered lights, for hitherto the room
had been dark.
"Thc young Vllain!-so cary in crime
these match boys should all be sent 10 the
house of refuge" said one.
81 have seen the rascal proving abou my
door for the last hour" said the baker.
"Stop crying" said one OF the watchmen,
giving the boy violent shake. "Your'e
done for, young'un-so no Whispering"
The glate of the lights that were now
bro ught in 10 The room, fell full on the fcce
of the magistrate, who had taken his seat,
and then shot their brilliant glare across the
group of spectators, until it rested on the
| weeping child. At the sight the magistrate
started. He got up and looked over his desk
more closely at the boy.
"The lad really seemed in want,' said he
with kindred tone, leaving his chair and ad-
vancing to the culprit, whose hand he took.
care you lot the match boy Imet to nighl?"
The lad looked up and the recognition
was mutual.
"Oh! yes sir-and what told you was
true. Mother lives just up the alley-No.
46, in cellar You NAV 90 there and see.