Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-11-09

outside than IN. IL WOulu nave Dceh huch
better for you. if you had married John Ire
MAN," he said, bitterly.
Don't say that, Robert, I've never re-
GREETED my choice"
Not even now, when there is not loaf
Of bread in the house for you and the chill
dren !"
Not even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couraged God has not forsaken us Per-
haps this Christmas eve the tide will turn,
better days may dawn upon US tomorrow"
Robert Brcc shook his head despondingly. |
8. You are more hopeful than |, Jane
Day after day have been in search Of en-
ployment. | have called at fifty places only
to receive the same answer everywhere
Just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
Mother he pleaded, won't you give
me piece Of bread? am so hungry
There is no bread, Jimmy darling said
the mother with an aching heart
When will there be some" asked the
child, piteousy.
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 upon his
sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes, and
she feared to what step desperation might
lead him.
Remember, Robert" she said solcmnly,
lit is hard to starve, but there are things
that are worse"
He shook off her hand but not roughly,
and without a word passed out.
Out in the cold streets They would be
their only home next. For brief time
longer he had the shelter Of cherries room
in a cold tenement house, but the rent would
become due at the end of the month, and he
had nothing to meet it.
Robert Brice was mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived in
country village where his expenses were
moderate, and he found no difficulty in meet
ing them But in an evil hour he grew tired
of his village home and removed to the city.
Here he vainly hoped to do better. For a
while he met with very good success, but he
found his tenement house in which he was
obliged to live, a poor substitute for the neat
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 accommo-
dations here as in the country" he said,
but it is something to live in, and 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 a
neighbor, and have 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 like to
complain.
But time of great depression came, and
with it suspension Of business enterprises
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
his neighbors till better times. But the
friendly relations arising from ncghborhood
do not exist in the city to the same extent as
in the country. So dag by day he went Out
to seek work, only to find himself one of O
large number, all Of whom were doomed t.
disappointment If he had been alone, b,
could have got along somehow, but it was
sore trial to come to cherries room and 1
pale wife and hungry children with no relic
to offer them.
When on that Christmas eve Robert Brice
went into the streets, he hardly knew how h
was going to redeem the promise he haC
made little Jimmy He was absolutely pen
niless and had been so for three days. Their
was nothing that he was likely to find to d.
that night.
Il will pawn my coat" he said at last
81 cannot sec my wife and children starye."
1t was well worn overcoat, and that col,
winter night he needed something more T.
keep him warm. Weakenened by enforce,
fasting he was more sensitive to the cold, an
shivered as he walked along the pavement.
"Yes," he said, any coat must CO.
know not how shall get along without it
but cannot see the children starye befor
my eyes"
He was no. in general an envous man, bu
when he saw sleek, well fed citizens buttone
up to the throat in warm oyercoats, come gu
Of the brilliantly lighted shops, provided wit
presents for happy children at home, Will
his were starving, he suffered some bite
thoughts upon the inequality Of fortune
gifts to come to his mind.
Why should they be so happy and he 5
miserable?
There was time, he remembered it wei
when he too suffered not Christmas eve I
pass without buying some little gift for jim
my and Agnes. How little he dreamed thu
they would ever want bread
There was one man, shorter than himsel
warmly clad, who passed him with his hanS
thrust deep into the pockets Of his overcoa
There was a pleasant smile upon his fac
He was doubtless thinking of the happy circ
at home.
Robert knew him as a rich merchan
whose ample warehouse he often passed Il
had applied to this man only two days beloi
for employment and been refused. 1t wa
perhaps the thought Of the wide diiieren,
between them, SO far as outward circun
stances went, that led Robert Brice to folio
him.
After while, the merchandise. Grim
drew his handkerchief quickly from
pocket As he did 80, he did not perceive tn
his pocketbook came with il and fell to II
sidewalk.
He did not perceive it, but Robert di
His heart leaped into his mouth and SUI
den thought entered his mind. He be-
quickly down and picked up the pocketboo
lie raised his eyes hastily to see if the NOV
ment was noticed. 1t was net. The me
chant went on unheeding his loss.
" This will buy bread for my wife al
children" thought Robert, instantly.
A vision OF tho comfort which the none
would bring that cheeress room, lighted |
his heart for an instant, but then, for he w
not dishonest, there came another though
The money was not his, as much ar he wan
ed it.
But cannot see my wife and chldr'
starye," he thought again. If it is wroI
to keep the money. God will pardon the {
fence. lie will understand my motive"
All this was sophisiry, and he knew it.
4, ,aoment he f,.lf IA N ha an There we