Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-08-24
SeIeete0 ktii9celiau1l

A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.

STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.
can't stand it any longer, Jane, I'll u
out, and perhaps something will turn NJ
for us.
'.It's d cold night, Robert" El# q.
Cold, yes! But it's not much colder
outside than i'll. II would have been bet
ter Tor you, il you had married John TrQ
main, " he said bitterly.
Don't say that Robert, I've never re-
GREETED my choice.
Not even now, when there is not q loat
of bread in the house for you and the chill
dren?"
'sEot even now, Robert. Don't be dis
eouraged. God has not forsaken us. Per
hap5 this Christmas eve the tide will turn.
and better days may dawn upon us to-mor.
row.
Robert Brice shook his head despond-
ingly
You are more hopeful than l, jane
Day after day [ have been In search of en-
ployment, [ 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 ou give
me piece of bread? l am SO hungry.
"Ihere is no bread, Jimmy darling, said
the mother with an aching heart.
''When will there be some," asked the
child, piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
Knew not what to say.
Jimmy, III bring you some bread. said
ihe father hoarsely, and he seized his hat
md went to the door,
His wife, alarmed, laid her hand upon
lis sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes.
nd she feared to what step desperation
night lead him.
Remember, Robert, she said solemnly
1t Is hard to starYe, but there are things
nat are worse"
lie shook off her band, but not roughly,
nd without word passed out.
Out IN Ghe cold street! They would be
is only home next, he thought For a
rief time longer he had the shelter of a
heerless room in s. cold tenament house,
ut the rent would become due at the end
the month, and he had nothing to meet
Robert Brlce was q mechanic, competent
nd skilltul. Three years since he lived in
country village, where his expenses were
Moderate, and he found no difficulty in
neeting them. But III an evil hour he
rev tired of his village home, and re-
moved to the city. Here he vainly hoped
do better. For while he met with very
good success, but he foundAis tenament
lorse in which he was obliged to live, q
poor substitute for the neat little cottage
which he had occupied in the country. He
saw his mistake, but was too proud to go
back.
"Of course can't have as good accom-
odations here as in the country" he said,
''bnt it is something to live III, and to be
in the midst of things"
I'D 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 L have pleasant, social
time. Here, l know scarcely anybody"
You'll get used to it after while, " said
her husband.
She did not think so, but did not like
to complain. s--
But time of great depression came, and
with it suspension Of business enterpris-
es Work ceased for Robert Brice and
many others. If he had been in his old
home, he could have turned his hands to
something else, and at the worst could have
borrowed Of MS neighbors till better times.
But the friendly relations arising from
neighbOrhOCd, do not exist in the city to
the same extent as in the country, So day
by day he saw his scanty sum of money
waste away, and nc one extended a hand.
Day by day he went out to seek work, only
10 find himself one OF a large number, all
OF whom were doomed to disappointment.
If he had been alone, he could have got
along somehow, but it was sore trial to
come to cheerless room and pale wife
and hungry children, with no relief to offer
them
When on that Christmas eve. Robert
Brice went into the streets. he hardly knew
how he was going to redeem the promise
he had made to little Jimmy. He was alb
solutelY penniless and had been so for three
days, There was nothing that he was like
ly to fnd to do that night.
Il will pawn my coat, he said at last
i cannot see my wife and children starve.
1t was well worn overcoat, and that
cold winter night he needed something
mole to keep him warm. Weakened by
enforced tasting, he was more sensitive to
the cold, and shiyered as he walked along
the pavement
Eyes, he said, "my coat must go. l
know not how l shall get along without it,
but | can't see the children starve before
my eyes
He was not in general an enyious man,
but when he saw sleek, well fed citizens
buttoned up 10 the throat in warm over
coats come out of the brilliantly lighted
shops, provided with presents for happy
children at home. while his were starving,
he suffered some bitter thoughts upon the
inequality of Fortunate's gifts to come to
his mind.
Why should they be so happy and he so
miserable?
There was time, he eremembereditw it WELL
when he too suffered not the Christmas 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 him.
self, warmly clad, who passed him with
his hands thrust deep into the pockets of
his overcoat. There was pleasant smile
upon his face. He was doubtless thinking
Of tie happy circle at home,
Robert knew him as rich merchant,
whose ample warehouse he often passed.
He had applied to this man only two days
before for employment, and been refused.
1t was, perhaps, the thought OF the wide
difference between them, so tar as outward
circumstances went, that led Robert Brlce
TO follow him.
After while, the merchant Glmes,
drew his handkerchief safely from his peck
ct. As he didso, he id not perceive that
his pocket book came with it and fell to
the sidewalk
lie did not perceive it, but Robert did.
his heart leaped into his mouth, and a
sudden thought enUered his mind He
bent quickly down and picked up the
pocket book. He raised his eyes hastily
to see II the movement was noticed. 1t
was not.
The merchant went on unheeding his
loss.