The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-12-22

will turn, better days may dawn upon
us to morrow"
Robert Brice Shook his head des.
poudiugly.
lel are more hopeful than |, Jane.
Day after day | have been ia search of
employment. have called at fifty
places only 10 receive the same answer
everywhere"
Just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
" Mother" he pleaded, won't you
give me a piece Of bread? | am SO
hungry"
" There is no bread, Jimmy. Darl.
ing" said the mother with an aching
heart.
+" Whom will there be some" asked
the child, piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. 49,
She knew not what TO say.
Jimmy, I'll bring you some bread -
said the father, hoarseIy, and he seized
his hat aud went to the door.
His wife, alarmed, laid her hand
upon his sleeve, She saw the look in
his eyes, aud he feared to what step
desperation might lead him.
" Remember, Robert" she sa d sol
EMMY, "it is hard to Starye, but there
are things that are worse"
lie shook off her hand, but not
roughly, aud, wllhou, word passed out
Out in the cold streets 1hey would
be their only home next. For brief
time longer he had the shelter Of a
cheerless room ina cold tenement house,
but the rent would become due ut the
end Of the mouth, aud he had nothing
to meet it,
Robert Brlce was a mechanic, compc.
tent aud skiIllul. Three years since he
lived IN country village where his ex
pensos were moderate, and he found no
dithculty IN meeting them. But in an
| evil hour he grew tired Of his village
home aud removed to the city. Here
he vaIuly hoped to do better For u
while he met with very good success,
but he found his t,nonlcut house, in
which he was obliged TO live u poor
substitute for the neat cottage which he
had occupied in the country. He saw
his mistake, but was too proud to 90
back
"Of course | can't have as good ac
eommodatlons here as in the country"
Ec said, but it is something to live in,
aud be in the midst OF things"
a. Id rather be back again" said his
wife; somehow the city doesn't seem
like home; there used ,orun in and take
tea with neighbor, aud have pleas.
ant time here | know scarcely auy.
body"
You'll get used to it after awhile, 4"
said her husband.
She did not think SO, but did not like
to complain.
But a time of great depression came,
and with it suspension of business en-
terprises Work ceased for Robert
Brice acd many others. If he had
been in his old home, he could have
turned his hand to something else, and
at the worst could have borrowed of his
neighbors till better times. But the
friendly relations arising from neigh
bOrhood do not exist in the city to the
same extent as in the country. So day
by day he went out to seek work, only
to find himself one of large number,
all Of whom we're doomed to disappolut.
ment. II he had been alone, he could
have got along somehow, bat it was a
sore trial to come to cherries room
and pale wife and hungry children with
no relief to offer them
When on that Christmas eve Robert
Brise went into the streets, he hardly
knew how he was going to redeem the
promise he had made little Jimmy. lie
was absolutely penniIess aud had been
so for three days. There was nothing
that he was likely to find to do that
night
:" will pawn my coat" he said at
last. 81 tannot see my wife aud chill
dren starye."
IL was well worn cyercoat, aud that
cold winter night he needed something
more to keep him warm. Weakened
by enforced fasting, he was more sen.
sitive to the cold, aud shivered as he
walked along the pavement.
Yes" he said, ''my coat must go.
know not how shall get along with
out it, but | cannot see the children
starve before my eyes"
He was not 10 general an envious
man, but when he saw sleek, we'll fed
citizens buttoucd up to the throat in
warm ovcreoats, come out Of the bril-
liautly lighted shops, provided with
presents for happy children at home,
while his we're starving. he suffered
some bitter thoughts upon the Unequal.
lty of fortunes gifts to come to his
mind
Why should they be so happy he so
miserable
There was time, he remembered il
we'll, when he too suffered not the
Christmas eve to pass without buying
some little gift for Jimmy aud Agnes
How little he dreamed then that they
would ever want bread
There was one man, shorter than
himself warmly clad, who passed hia
with his hands thrust deep into the
pockets Of his overcoat, There was q
/ PLEASANT smile upon his face. fle was
doubtless thinking Of the happy oircl,
at home.
Robert knew him as rich merchant
whose ample warehouse he often pas.
sed. He had applied to this nan only
two days before for employment aoc
been refused. It was, perhaps th,
wide difference between them, so far al
outward circumstances went, that lee