Litchfield enquirer., 1855-01-11
A STORY OF THE TINES.

MIR. Scriptor sat in his private Office rumin-
ating. He was, unquestionably Illuminating !;
for his hand, which rested on the table, sup
ported his head, which seemed unable to rest
comfortably in any settled position. Books
and papers were strewn about him in every
direction, and there was large blot upon
the scrawled sheet before him, and small
river of ink coursed its way down over the
desk upon the floor; it had even trickled
down upon Mr.. Scriptor's newest suit of
clothes, but he did not notice it. He was
absorbed.
'Confound the times:' said scriptor to
himself, bringing his fist down upon the
desk by way of emphasis. People can't
or auon't meet their dues. Money must be
paid out, but there are no returns. Every
thing is high-abominably high. Orders
are becoming more and more scarce every
day. Well, there is only one thing to do :
my 'hands' must be subjected to decrease
of wages, or must discharge them that is
ALP
This conclusion, Scriptor evidently Jump
ed at for he started up suddenly took swal-
low of Otard, and having thus added sufii-
cient artificial color to his already aorid COM
plexion, to well sustain the characted assu-
med, began violently to pace the floor. Mr..
Scrptor had that morning presented his vile
with check for the purchase Of > 900
shawl.)
Here, you John!'
The lad made his appearance.
STIR up this fire little. Fill up the
crate, and put on the blower. Dear me!
how cold it is This weather is enough to
freeze one
The frost chung thick to the window pane;
the singing wind drove back the frozen
damp of breath into the faces Of the passers-
by, and the snow creaked sharply under foot.
Some one knocked at the Office door.
Come i'm Scriptor was still agitated,
and continued walking. 1t was most up
fortunate moment for poor Harry. Good
morning. said he, blandly.
Good morning. replied Scriptor, grufly.
Harry perceived that he had mistaken his
time. Don't let me interrupt you, sir, if
you are busy
well, no--,not exactly-that is to say
ah-not particularly so. What is it, sir.r
you published an article Of mine last
week, if am not mistaken
Let me see-ah-I believe we did. Yes,
we did. The Lost SOUL think, was the
title
The same. And came to ask, as ia
vor, il you could net make it convenient to
pay me the price of it now, as am in great
need of the money His seedy and thread
bare clothes, and wan, hollow cheek, bore
ample testimony to his poverty.
We'll, really, we should be most happy
to accommodate you, sir; but you see the
times are hard'-here Scriptor jingled the
loose change in his poke, as evidence of the
fact and it is with great difficulty that we
contrive to make both ends meet
1t is but So, .hink,' pleaded the other.
'True-true; but you see every dollar
tells. think we informed you, if you were
not already aware of the fact, tina, our terms
are, Invariably, six months credit,'-and
you have still two months to run
so understand But my present dis
tress and the exigencics Of the case prompt
ed me to apply to you as last resort This
severe weather is very trying to the poor
Hem. Yes, it Isl, must be. have
already taken the subject into active conSi-
deration, and yesterday published in one
of our leading journals, an earnest appeal to
the public for their sympathy and benevo-
lence in these affecting tines
And could not make like appeal to
you, in behalf of my starving, dying wife =
Starring, did you say Bless me! Bad
very bad, indeed
Yes, sir, am compelled to admit the
terrible truth. My poor. dear wife is actu-
ally dying from want Of the simple neces-
saries Of liie. have not myself tasted food
Tor nearly twen,y-four hours
Dear me you don't say so! That is
had-very bad, indeed might say distress
| ing! Your case is unfortunate but We
make it a rule not to notice these outside APP
plica,ions. That's the point. l must refer
YOU to the Benevolent Associations. Sorry,
sir-very. As am quite engaged at pre-.
sent, must beg of you to excuse Inc. Good
morning.
Harry Erstine turned away with sad
heart. He sought his little room once more;
but its chill, cold atmosphere seemed more
genial than the cold, heartless soul of the
wealthy publisher!
Mr.. Scrip;or was blessed q with an ex-
travagant but kind hearted wife. Often
times she had distributed little necessaries
among the destitute; and now the present
irving times demanded her attention and
sympathy yet the more. | could not refuse
morsel of food or little money to the de-
serving she used often to say. 1t did moi
for a moment occur to her that $50 Of the
1000 paid for her shawl, would have pro.
cured her one as comfortable and elegant as
she could desire, while the remaining $3.50
would have made many-oh, how many
miserable families happy-alleviated tbs
pains of the suffering, and warmed the de-
ISOLATE hearth-stone. A neighhor had tina
afternoon called her attention to very sac
but interesting case which had just come tt
her knowledge, and she had but now return
ed from her GRAND of mercy. MIR. Scripto
met her upon the doorstep Of his mansion
/ My dear husband said she with earn
estness. spray do be good enough to CONT
with me a moment, to see poor woman
oh, bother replied he. petulantly. $
have enough to do TO attend to my own bust
ness, without looking up vagabonds ant
impostors.'
1t is but a step.s she persisted. re