The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-29

Gaanes-drew his handkerchief safely
froan his pocket. AS he did so, he did
NOT perceive that his pocket-book came
with it and fell TO the sidewalk.
Me did not perceive it, but Robert
did His heart leaped into his mouth
and sudden thought entered his mind.
HS bent quickly down and picked up
the pocket-book. He raised his eyes
quickly to see if the movement was no
ticAd. 1t was not.
She merchant went on unheeding his
loss.
s'This will buy bread for my wife and
Children" thought Robert instantly.
"A vision Of the comfort which this
mSney would bring that cherries room
lighted up his heart for an instant, but
then, for he was not dishonest, there
ca ne another thought. The money was
no; his, much as he wanted it.
t'But, cannot see my wife and chill
drSn starve," he thought again. IF
it Is wrong to keep this money, God
viii pardon the offence. He will un-
delstand my motive"
AL this was sOphistry, and he knew
it, In moment he felt il to be so.
There were some things worse than
starvation. 1t was his wife that had
sad that just before he came out Could
he meet her gaze when he returned
with iood thus obtained.
fPve lived honest 80 far, 2" he thought,
q won't turn thief now"
Ut was with an effort he came to IT, y
decision, for all the while before his
c3eS there was that vision Of cheer
less home, and he could hear ] mmy
vqinly asking for food. II was with An
edEprt that he stepped forward and
faced his hand on the merchants
Shoulder, and offended the hand that
Eeld tie peck t-bnuk.
! Sir" he said, no srsely, ''you have
dropped your pocket bOOk."
"Thank YOU" said the merchant
thrning round, 81 hadn't perceived my
loss"
you dropped it when you took out
Sour handkerchief"
Sand you saw it and picked it up.
SIN very much obliged to you"
"You have reason to be-" said Rob
ert, in a low voice. 81 came very neal
Eeeping it,,
"That would have been dishonest,
said Mr.. Gaines, his tones altering
slightly.
ayes, it would, but it's hard for /
Snan to be.honest when he is penniless
and his wife and children are without
4 crust"
"Surely you and your family are moi
n that condition" said the merchant
earnestly.
eyes" said Robert, sit is only toe
true"
Sand you are out of work p
"For two months | have vainly sough
for work. Iapplied to you two day.
Since"
81 remember you now. thought
had seen your face before. You still
! want work"
,, 81 should feel grateful for il"
"A porter left me yesterday. vii
, you take his place at Sl2 a week ?"
Thankfully, sir.
"Then come tomorrow morning, o.
rather as tomorrow will be a holiday
, ! the day succeeding. Meanwhile tax,
! this for your present necessities"
J He drew from the pocket-book banl
note and put it in Roberts hand.
cts fifty dollars" said Robert
amazed.
, II know it. This pocket-book con
&ains a thousand dollars. But for you
II should have lost the whole. / wish
you a merry Christmas.
at will, indeed, be a merry Christ
mas" said Robert, with emotion. "GoC
bless you, sir; good night"
4 "Good night"
h Jane waited for her husband in the
, ;cold and cherries room which, for ;
Flew days longer she might call home
"Do you think father will bring mi
! asome bread? ?" asked little Jimmy as h,
Enestled in her lap.
: Il hope so, darling" she said, but he
Sheart misgave her. She feared it wa
la delusive hope.
Il An hour passed-there was a step OF
1.-THE stair-her husbands. 1t could no
She, for this was a cheerful, elastic step
scoming up two stairs at time. Sh,
, Hooked eagerly to the door.
"a Yes, it was he. The door opened
,, lR"bert, radiant with JOY, entered will
ia ba>ket full Of subslant provisions
"Have you got some bread, father P
, Task d Jimmy, hopefully.
eyes, jimmy, some bread and mea
from a restaurant, and here's little te
sand sugar. There's little wo left
sJane. Let's have bright fire, and
: Ac"mforI able meal, for please Col thi
h>haIl be a merry Chris mas eve"
! How did it happen? Tell me, Robert
I So Robert told his WIFI, and soon
fire lighted up the before cherries
iroom, an there were fur Apply heart
that .ited in joyful hope for the dawl
4 of Merry Christmas Day.
I The next week thy moved t. bet
9rer home. They have never since
knew what II was to want. Rober
found firm friend in the merchant ,anC
has an acc 'unt in the savings bank
and has reason TO remember with CRATE
! ful heart Gods goodness on that Christ
, mas Eve.
y Written for tbs ADvocA =
r THE MINER.