Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-08-25
Sslefte0 stiislslianD
THE DARK HOUR.
A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.

STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.
can't stand it any longer, Jane. I'll go
out, and perhaps something will turn up
for us.
''It's cold night, Robert
Gold, yesi But it's not much colder
outside than IN. Ii would have been bet
ter for you. If you had married John Tre-
main, he said bitterly.
Don't say that Robert, I've never re-
gretted my choice.
''Not even now, when there is not loaf
of bread in the house for you and the chill
dren?"
mot even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couraged. God has not forsaken us. Per-
haps this Christmas eve the tide will turn,
and better days may dawn upon us to-mor-
row.
Robert Briee shook his head despond-
ingly.
.'You are more hopeful than /, Jane
Day after Gay have been in search of en-
ployment, l have called at fifty places,
only to receive the same answer every
where"
just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
Mother" he pleaded, won't you give
me a piece CT bread? 1 am so hungry.
"There Is no bread Jimmy darling, said
"When will there be some," asked the
child, piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to say.
Jimmy, Ill bring you some bread, said
the father hoarsely, and he seized his hat
and went to the door.
His wife, alarmed, laid her hand upon
his sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes,
and she feared to what step desperation
might lead him.
Remember, Robert" she said solemnly
lit is hard to starve, but there are things
that are worse"
Heshook off her band, but not roughly,
ana without 4. word passed out.
Out IN the cold street! They would be
his only home next, he thought. For a
brief time longer he had the shelter of a
cheerless room in a cold tenament house,
but the rent would become dne at the end
of the month, and he had nothing to meet
it
Robert Brice was a mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived In
a country village, where his expenses were
moderate, and he found no difficulty IL
meeting them. But in an evil hour hl
grew tired of his village home, and re-
moved to the city. Here he vainly hoped
TO do better. For while he met with very
good success, but he found his tenamen
house in which he was obliged to live,
Door substitute for the neat little cottag,
which he had occupied in the country. HI
saw lis mistake, but was too proud to &c
back
'Of course can't have as asgood accom-
odations here as in the country" he said
''but it is something to hive IN, and to b
in the midst of things"
'sPd rather be back again, said his wife
somehow the city doesn't seem like home
There used to run in and take tea with
neighbor, and / have pleasant, socia
time. Here, know scarcely anybody"
you'll get used to it after q while, sait
her husband.
She did not think so, but did not hk
to complain.
But a time of great depression came, anC
with it suspension of business enterpris
es. Work ceased for Robert Brice ant
many others. If he hal been In his oil
home, he could have turned his hands t.
something else, and at the worst could hav
borrowed of his neighbors till better times
But the friendly relations arising froE
neighborhood, do net exist in the city t
the same extent as in the country. So da
by day he saw his scanty sum of none
waste away, and no one extended a hand
Day by day he went out to seek work, onl
to find himself one of a large number, al
of whom were doomed to disappointment
Ii he had been alone, he could have gc
along somehow, but it was a sore trial t
come to cheerless room and pale vii
and hungry children, with no relief to otfe
them
When on thai Christmas eve. Robel
Brice went iKto ihe streets. he hardly kne
how he was going to redeem the promis
he had made &c little Jimmy. He was al
solutely penniless and had been so for thre
days, There was nothing that he was Tx
ly to find to do that night
II win pawn my coat, he said at last
II cannot see my wife and children starye,
1t was well worn overcoat. and ths
cold winter night, he needed somethin
moe to keep him warm. Weakened b
enforced iasting. he was more sensitive |
the cold, and shivered as he walked alon
the pavement.
ssYes," be said, 'imy coat must 90.
know not how shall get along without i
but l can't see the children starve befol
my eyes" - -a-
He was not in general an envious mai
but when he saw sleek, well fed citizer
buttoned up to the throat In warm owe
coats come out of the brilliantly 'lights
shops, provided with presents for hapI
children at home. while his were starving
he suffered some bitter thoughts upon Il
inequality of FortunAtes gifts to come
his mind. II tffsy
Why should they be SO happy and he
miseraria ia?
The sas tine, herenembereditwe wei
wkc5 .se too suffered not the Christmas e'
to PASS without buying some little gifts Fl
Jimmy md Agnes How ittls. be. dream
then that they wouldevef want brad
There was one man, shortef than hin
self, warmly clad, who passed him vii
his hands thrust deep into the pockets
his overcoat. There was pleasant smi
upon his face He was doubtless thinkir
of the happy circle at home,
Robert knew him as a rich merchan
whose ample warehouse be. ottefis .'asse
He had applied to this man only fw D da
before for employment and been refuse
1t was, perhaps, the thought of the VII
difference between them, so far as outwa
circumstances went, that led Robert Bri
to follow him.
After while, the merchanEMr Cline
drew his hand kerchief safely from his poe
ct. AS he did so, he id not perceive tn
his pocket book came with II and fell
the sidewalk
His heart leaped into his mouth, and
sudden thought entered his mind
bent quickly down and picked up Z
pocket book. He raised hls eyes nastl
to see If the movement was noticed
was not.
The merchant went on unheed'ng Z
loss.