The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-24
From the Baltimore Patriot.
OUT OF WORK:
A STORY FOR
II THANKSGIVING EVE.
BY ANNIE SOUTHCOMB.
fcoNcLUDED.]
CHAPTER III.
BY ANNIE SOUTHCOMB.
4c0NCLUDED.
CHAPTER III.

= Thanksgiving dawned clear and cold. The
bells pealed forth their welcome to the gen.
eral holiday. Churches were thrown open
for the welldressed worshippers to enter. Mr.
Atwood attended the church of the Rev. DIR
.p-, for he made it a point to occupy his
Fcushioned pew on Thanksgiving, and listened
to an elaborate dissertation on charity and the
approaching winter after which collection
was taken up to defray the expenses of two
missionaries to be sent to the Sandwich Is.
lands, aud Mr.. Atwood headed the subscrip-
lion list with $500 to build q new church fol
, the civilized natives of Fee-jee; all of which
appeared In the columns of the Daily Gazette
and Mr.. Atwood's liberalit- was duly com
mented on by the editor.
Such is life! Yet this very man had the eve-
ming before thrown clerk out Of employment
whose services he had for the pitiful sum OF
lars depended the subsistence of wife and
four children. Rent to be paid, fuel to De
purchased, and provision furnished, besides
clothing for all, out of that small sum. He had
iemorselessly taken from that family their su
rity Of support, and given $500 to foreign
charity! "Oh, shame, where is thy blush!''-
it's an old adage that Charity begins al
home!n II some Of the missionaries would
explore the streets, lanes and alleys OF their
own city, perhaps they might find fit subjects
for charity and commiseration without risking
their lives among cannibals who have such a
penchant for civilized food.
How many families are there who make out
living upon the small earnings of the hus-
band or father; and, oh, how many little COM
Forts have to be dispensed with, in order that
sthe necessary expenses may be met! How
hard il is for : mother to know that she mus
deny her children proper, and, often necessary
clothing! for large family involve expenses
(fAthnss eight or ts@ dollars week is inadequate
\ TO defray. What tiies.sore, must be her feel.
iogs when the only support is taken from hel
L children for an indefinite period! With the
knowledge that ever did he succeed in pro.
curing another situation in one or two months
j vet they Wsuld be involved in that worst oi
all slaverv-debt! This isnot an isolated case
I There are more than one Mr.. Atwood in the
city.
Ada's drsss was sent home in season for the
\ dinner. and little Lizzie was acknowledge te
oe handsome child for poor people! Her fea.
lures were pronounced aristocratic and hel
q nannefs faultless. Ada even condescendet
70 give her dime for bringing her dress home
M N TIE morning the porter arrived a,
ths ~ NEE of Mr.. Csstleton, bearing large
~! ep ptaining Charles prese 4; and few
mind kara : ton Of coal and barrel Of
acnr, acconpanisd BY sundry haas, groceries
ETC., made their sppeasance- all of which
were directed in familiar hand, signed Kriss
Kingle. In the course Of the day communi
cation was received by Mr.. Castleton, from
the firm of Steady, Trust & Co, rendering hin
the clerkship which would shortly be vacant
and with greatful heart it was accepted.
"Now, Fred, you will trust to Providence il
future," said Mrs Castleton, after dinner wa
over and the little ones dressed and gone to tn,
party. "See, the baby. is so much better; tina
alone is abundant cause for thansglving."