Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1846-01-10
From the LADIES' National Magazine.
The Loaf of Bread.

BY JANE WEAVER.
"Buy my matches-oh! do buy then
sir,' said plaintive voice.
The person addressed, clad in an over.
coat, was breasting the sharp wind Of De.
cember day, his throat was muffled up,
leaving only portion of his face discerni.
BILE, but his dress bespoke one in comfort
able circumstances.
81 don't want your matches, lad," said
he. - isf
But do buy them-six boxes for fip.'
s'Get out Of the way" said the man sharp
ly, for the lad stopped the path.
"Oh! do buy some," said the boy, de.
tanning him by the skirt Of his coat, s'moth-
er is sick and I've had nothing to eat to.
day. Do buy fps WORTH"
The man hesitated. The natural impul-
ses of his heart were for good; but he was
one accustomed to think the world worse
than it was.
"Pshaw!'' he said, ssthat is the old story;
get out of the way, you young scamp, OF
I'll have you arrested"
The boy meekly drew back, but tear
froze on his cheek in that bitter blast,
though the rich man saw it not, for he hur.
ried on. # a 3Ua fse
1t was getting late, and the streets would
have been pitch dark, but for the lamps
which at long intervals, lit up the night
Few were abroad in that wintry weather,
and so the boy stood shivering at his pos,
for long while before a second passenger
came by. Poor fellow! he was thin clad,
and his lips were blue with cold; yet he
kept his station, vainly offering his matches,
but finding no buyers. i1
Ten o'clock struck, and with the tears
falling fast, he turned his footsteps towards
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 before. But he thought more ol
his sick mother than of himself. The lit.
tie capital had been exhausted in the pur.
chase of his matches, and they had not q
cent remaining.
He paused, 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 invit.
ingly open, and within reach lay pile oi
loaves. A sudden impulse seized the boy,
An hour previous he had vainly begged al
the same shop, and that man had roughly
ordered him away. He had never stolen
before, but now an irresistible temptation
seized him. Should his mother starve,
when single loaf might save her. He
rushed in, grasped the prize, and dashed
down the street. it @ssa Sal
"Halloo opthief!" said the baker, turn
irg around just in time to see the act.
The boy heaId the cry, and trembled all
over, fear lent speed to his feet, and he ran
swiftly on, now and then turning back to
see if his pursuers gained on him.
s'Stop thief! stop thief! stop thief!!! was
the cry that rung from as many pursuers,
as looking from their shops, they caught
sight Of the fugitive and joined in the chase.
The boy IS heart beat wildly; he mechan-
ically turned his steps to the cellar were
he lived; the narrow alley, in which it was,
opened into street just ahead; and he
strove desperately to gain it. The watch.
mems rattles were now heard in front, be-
hind, all around; like hunted stag, pant
ing and frightened, he gained the end oI
the alley and dashed into the dark thor
oughfare. But at the instant man sprane
out Of the corner house and seized the fu-
gitive. as IS ~. II
"Ahl you young thief-you were near.
|ly off were you?-come along--I am 8
magistrate--you shall 90 to jail, /" and with
these words he dragged the culprit into bis
Office. ~
The boy burst into tears. 's Il ''''
ssOhl sir" he said sslet me go l only
stole .. loaf Of broad, and / wouldn't have
done it, but we are starving. Mother and
/ haven't eaten anything to-day, and moth.
| er is sick. / never stole before. Let me
| Igo, and III nes er do il again." 8 a2
The magistrates Office Was now fill d
people, the baker being among the number
The boy was sobbing piteously. The mag.
|istrste ordered lights, for hitherto the room
| had been dark, Nsyss.