Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-04-13
Cur sturr-Gtacr.
JOB BLlKE'S TEMPTATION.
From the New York Evangalist.l ]

WELL, I suppose this is a free seat,
said Joe Blake, dropping down by the
Reservoir fence that fronts on Fifth ave-
nue.; I guess I'll just rest a bit; dear
me, what dogs life I do lead, anyhow,
what with seedlings and hard work, and
not half enough to eat at that. wish
I'd never been born, I do
A gay throng of carriages with liver
led eoachmen and gaily dressed laGies
and children were passing up and down
from Central Park, and Joe continued
his soiiloquy.
just see there now; it's mighty easy
being good when a fellow lives like that
see that chap driving his pony carriage
as big as anybody, and there's another
one not bit bigger than ne, in the Gu
test little basket carriage, and a pretty
/ little girl with him, that I suppose is his
sister. They haint nothin' to do but ride
around, with lots Of money in their pock-
cts, and here sets a poor, ragged, bare
footed chap without the first red cent.
Now if that's right I cant see it, said
Joe, shaking his head slowly. The
teacher at that mission school last Sun
day says God is everywhere and sees all
we do; il that's SO, I wonder why he let's
some of US have such heaps of trouble,
Halo, Ned, here's parson Joe. Do
voc know he's turned saint and goes to
Sunday school, said a stout, coarse-look-
ing boy that just turned the corner.
1 wish I had, there's need enough Of
it, said Joe soberly.
What's the use, said Dick, with a
laugh, being good won't help US any
we may as well cruise aronnd, and take
all the comfort we can.
Comfort, that's just what I'm looking
for, and 1 want to be sure and get on the
right track, said Joe.
Looking out for number one, is the
only way know. Do you see that splen-
did brown stone front down there, and
Dick pointed down the avonuo a little
way. Well, that chap made his money
by stealing
'Stealingr said Joe opening his eyes
IN wonder,
Yes, 1 reckon-it aint anything else tc
cheat a man out of all he's got, is it?' e1-
claimed Dick, and then folks think jus
as much of him as if he'd done something
for his country; I tell you it don't max,
much difference what a fellow does, if h,
ouly has plenty Of the ready to cover i
up with. Being poor is the greatest crim'
there is now a days
May be SO, replied Joe, slowly i
there wasn't any God, and we hadn't go
to die and answer for it all; the man a
/ the mission school told US all about !
last Sunday, and I can't help thinking
about it all the time.
Well, / amt agoing to bother my hea'
about that, said Dick care}essly, 1 don
think l shall die right off,
But we know we've got to die some
time, and its just as likely to be to-mor
row as any, so 1 guess it's as well to b
ready
Why that Sunday school has mad
you as blue as indigo, Joe; what's tn
use? and Dick Duncan moved of, whis
Ting for his comrades, not at all please
/ with the turn talk had taken.
Joe sat awhile and thought over til
events Of his past life; he tried to rem
ember something about his mother, bu
he only had vague sort of an idea tha
she was very good, and very beautiful
his father he never cared to think Of, fc
he was drunkard, so that when he die
and Joe and his little sister same to liy
with an aunt, he could not mourn, for j
reality they we're better off than they ha
been for long while, although his aur
was poor, and little cross sometimes.
I wonder, thought Joe, if Aul
Hannah will let Elsie and I 60 to tbt
Sunday school. don't care what Il
Z boys say, I won't be laughed out of !
I'll ask her.. any how
Full Of his new project Joe started Fl
home on a run, and much TO his aunt
astonishment bounded into the room qui
out of breath.
so you've come, ehl I didn't loo
for you this two dours yet, because there
something to be done; come, now, G
some coal as quick as ever you can, al
a then want these things carried rOur
}. to Miss Oakly.'
5 Joe wisely concluded to do the Wo'
before asking the favor, and sped quic
ly on his errand.
Well, Joe, what is going to happel
I never knew you to do anything so qui,
= before, said his aunt as he came back
Well, you see, aunt, I want to ask
d Elsie and I cant 60 to Sunday school.
60 to Sunday scboolP ezclaim