Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-07-02

haps there'll be bit of luck-wh
knows"
She put on her bonnet and shawl
such thin little shawl-which had beel
used for an ironing cloth, and had an iro1
shape scortch between the shoulders-an'
took up basket.
The cobbler looked at her.
Becky" be said, hoarsely; Becky,
she knew just what be meant.
''The little children, Nick" she said
"we could starve-but them poor littl'
critters. Nick, it won't seem like begging
when it's for them"
And when the door shut behind her
and poor Nick limped after her, as though
to stop her; then paused, and fairly flung
himself upon the floor, wishing he were
under the ground beneath it.
"God forgive the man that marries +:
woman to starve her." he sobbed. "Why
if I'd known it would have come to this
I'd never have courted her. It's time
was dead"
Perhaps being a strange, impulsive lit.
tie fellow. there might have been tragic
end to this scene, but that the children
came in from school, and began to cry
partly at the sight of their PROSTATE faith
er, and partly because of hunger-and
Nick forgot himself to do what he could
for them.
He had no dinner, but he had a great
deal of love to give them, and some pieces
of red kid. And the fact that mother and
the basket were gone together, impressed
them with the hope of provisions.
Meanwhile, Becky had gone begging.
1t would be horrible, no doubt, she thought
to take food from strangers-but she
found that there was one thing even more
terrible-not to take it.
Door after door was slammed in her
face. Once a dog was set at her, or she
choSgHr 50: I T0fsssi0uzt Dvgg ..sa:
made themselves nuisances to many peo-
Pile, and how were they to know when
real poverty asked aims. Men whom
they had pitied as paupers proved to be
owners Of real estate. Cripples and blind
men whom they had aided, were found to
have bound up strong limbs and glued
their eyes together-so they were hard
upon real distress, and refused it broken
bread.
At six that evening Becky stood at a
street corner, with one crust in her bask-
et-no more.
Beyond. lay pawnbroker's shop. and
Becky looked at its golden balls, and her
wedding ring. She had worn it fifteen
years, and it was thin and frail, but pure
gold. Through all, she had kept it until
now. Must it 60? The thought was
worse than begging.
Becky took step forward, another
back. Then she began to cry little
Nick's ring, that be put on her hand so
long ago-oh, dear oh, dear!
But she grew brave again, and walked
into the shop, and pawned the ring! 1t
was not much they gave for it. but it
would buy supper. and perhaps Nick
wouldn't notice, and perhaps she could
get it back. That was very faint idea,
perhaps, however.
A woman was in the pawnshop, as she
waited, bargaining with the proprietor
over suit Of little girls clothing-costly
things, out of place in her hand. Becky
noticed this saying to herself that they
were never fairly come by. But she had
forgotten all about it, when, coming ou
of the bakers, a little voice fell on hel
ear, and looking down, she saw bare
foot child, in wretched rags. sobbing pi.
teously. a.
Becky was soft Of heart; but, in poor
quarters, crying children are common e.
nough, and her own were waiting for the
loaves in her basket. She walked on
hastily, and SO upset the toddler. Then
Becky needs must stop and pick her up
"Why don't you go home to your mo.
ther this nighttime. she said, s'and moi
stand here to be knocked known.
And little silver voice of thread an
swered: 5s
II can't find mamma. I can't find my
home. Where is mamma! Oh, nam
MAJ" =.
Becky knelt down. A white head o
crumpled curls, and a pair Of blue eyes
swimming in tears, she could just max
out
''1'll take ye home-only say where,
she said.