The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-29
THE DARK HOUR.
STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.

better for you, if You had married John
Tremain." he said bitterly.
Don't say that, Robert, I've never
regretted my choice"
"But even now, when there il not a
loaf of bread III the house for you and
the children ?"
Not even now, Robert. Don't be
discouraged, God has not fnrsaken a..
Perhaps this Christmas eve the tide
will turn AMI better days may dawn
Uprn us Tomorrow"
r bert Brire saook hi heal despon-
dull.
"Y Il r., more hope al than I, Jane.
Day after Il have been in S,arch Of
e.uployrwnr, have called at fifty
places, only to receive the same answer
eyeryw ere
just then little Jimmy who had been
aisle, + woke up.
Mother" he replied, "wont you give
me a piece Of bread am so hungry
"There is no bread, Jimmy darling"
said the mother, with an aching heart.
"When will there be same" asked
the child piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes
She knew not what to say.
Jimmy, I'll bring you some bread,
said the father, hoarsely, and he seized
his hat and went to the door.
His wife, alarmed, laid her hand up.
OH his sleeve. She saw the look in his
eyes, and she feared to what step des.
peration might lead him.
Remember, Robert" she said sol
EMMY, ''lt is hard to stsrve, but there
are things that are worse"
He shook off her hand, but not rough.
~, and without a word passed out.
Out in the cold streets! They would
be his only home next, he thought
For a brief time longer he had the
shelter Of a cherries room in q colo
tenement house, but the rent would
become due at the end of the month
and he had nothing to meet it.
Robert Brice was a mechanic, com
petent and skiIful. Three years slnc,
he lived in a country village where hi
expenses were moderate, and he founC
no difficulty in meeting them. But il
an evil hour he grew tired of his village
home, and removed to the city. Here
he vainly hoped to do better. For I
while he met with very good success
but he found his tenement house il
which he was obliged to live, a pool
substitute for the neat little cottage
which he had occupied in the country,
He saw his mistake, but was too proud
to go to work.
t'0f course, we can't have as good
accommodations here as In the coun-
try" he said, "but it is something tc
live in, and to be in the midst of things
"I'd rather be back again." said his
wife. Somehow the city doesn't seen
like home. There | used to run in anC
take tea with a neighbor, and have I
pleasant, social time. Here know
scarcely anybody"
you'll get used to it after a while
said her husband.
She did not think SO, but did not Xix,
to complain.
But time Of great depression came
and with it a suspension Of business
enterprises. Work ceased for Rober
BrIce and many others. Ii he haC
been in his old home, he could have
turned biz hands 10 something else, anC
at the worst he cOul have borrowed
OF his ncigr bors ill better times. But
the friendly relations ans ng from
neigbOrho,d do nOt exist in the city Il
the Sane extent A. in the country. Sc
d'y by day he saw his scanty fund 81
money waste away. aud 10 one extend
ed hanI. Day by day he went out
Ia seek work, only 10 hnd himself one
Of large humber, all Of whom wcr,
doomed disappointment. II he had
urrn alo (. he c,ulI have cot along
SIM, b W, but II vas a sore trial 1,
c. ms [" a eli, erie>s DOM and pal,
v f. nd hungry children, with no re
ief 10 fer them.
When o. that Christmas eve, ROher
BrIce went into the streets, he hardl,
knew how how he was going TO redeem
the promise lie had made to little Jim
my. He was absolutely penniless anC
had been so for three days. There
was nothing that he was likely to find
to do that night.
II will pawn my coat" he said at
last. 81 cannot see my wife and chill.
dren starve."
1t was a we'll worn undercoat, and
that cold, winter night, lie needed
something more TO keep him warm.
Weakened by enforced fasting, he was
more sensitive to the cold aud shiver-
ing as he walked along the pavement.
YES" he said, "My coat must go.
! know not how / shall get along with.
out it, but can't see the children starve
before my eyes"
He was not In general an envious
man, but when he saw, sleek, well-fed
citizens, buttonsd up to the throat in
warm overcoats come out Of the bril-
liantly lighted shops, provided with
presents for happy children at home,
while his were starving, he suffered
some bitter thoughts upon the inequali-
ty Of Fortunes gift to come into his
mind.
Why should they be so happy and
he so miserable?
There was a time, he remembered it
well, when he too suffered not the Christ
mas eve to pass without buying some
little gifts for Jimmy and Agnes. How
little he dreamt then that they would
ever want bread
There was one man, shorter than
himself, warmly clad, who passed him.
with his hands thrust deep into the
pockets Of his overcoat. There was a
pleasant smile upon his face. He was.
doubtless thinking of a happy circle at
home.
Robert knew him as a rich merchants
whose ample warehouse he often pass.
ed. He had applied to this man only;
two days before for employment, and'
Il -