Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-08-25

children" thought Robert instantly.
A division of the comfort which TINS
money would bring that cheerless room,
lighted I'D his heart for an instant, but,
then. for he was not dishonest, there came
another thought. The money was not his,
much as he wanted It.
But, / cannot see my wife and children
starve," he thought again ''Ifiti is wrong
to keep this money. God will pardon the
offence. He will understand my motive.
All thus was sophristy, and he knew It.
In a moment he felt 1t to be SO. There
were some things worse than starvation.
1t was his wife that had said that Just be-
tore he came out. Could he meet her
gaze, when he returned with food so OBJ
tanned?
s.I'ye lived honest, SO far, he thought
| won't turn thief now.
1t was with an effort he came to this de-
cision, for all the while before his eyes
there was that vision of cherries home,
and he could hear Jimmy vainly asking for
food. 1t was with an effort that he STEP
ped forward and placed his hand on the
merchants shoulder, and extended the
hand that held the pocket book.
"Sir," he said, hoarsely, ''you have
dropped your pocket book.
Thank you," said the merchant, turn.
ing round, 81 hadn't perceived my loss.
"You dropped it when you took out youi
handkerchief"
"And you saw it, and picked 1t mp, AN
very much obliged to YOU.
"You have reason to be, said Robert
in a low voice. Il came very near keeping
it."
THAT would have been dishonest, said
a., 4, &c oil cl1
Eyes, it would, but it's hard on a mai
to be honest when he is penniless, and bis
wife and children without crust"
surely you and your family are not IL
that condition" said the merchant earnest
ly.
..Yes, said Robert Brice, it is only toe
true"
"And you are out of work."
For Two months L have vainly sought
for work. Iapplied to you two days since.
81 remember you now. / thought hao
seen your face before. You still want
work."
Il should feel grateful for it.
"a porter LETT me yesterday. VIII YOU
take his place at twelve dollars week.
Thankfully, sir. would work Tor hal
that"
Then come tomorrow morning, ol
| rather as tomorrow will be holiday, the
day succeeding. Meantime take this fol
your present necessities"
He drew from the pocket book bank
n ote and put it in Roberts hand
''It's fifty dollars said Robert Brice
amazed.
81 know it. This pocket book contains
a thousand dollars. But for you 1 should
have lost the whole. l wish you merry
Christmas"
1T will indeed, be merry Christmas,
said Robert with emotion. God bless you
sir, good night"
''Good nightr'
Jane waited for her husband, in the colo
and cheerless room, which tor few days
longer she might call her home.
do you think father will bring me SOME
breadf" asked little Jimmy, as he nestled
in her lap.
81 hope so, darling" she said, but hel
heart misgave her. She feared l. was de
lusive hope.
An hour passed-there was step on the
stair-her husbands. 1t could not be, fo
this was cheerful elastic step, coming W
two stairs at time. She looked eaSeri,
| to the door.
Yes it was he. The door opened. Rob
bert radiant with joy, entered with a basAe
full of substantial provisions.
"Have you got some bread, father
asked JImmy hopefully.
lies, Jimmy, some bread and mea
from a restaurant, and here's a little te'
and sugar. There's little wood left, Jane
Let's have bright fire and comfortably
meal, for, please God, this shall be mer
ry Christmas eve."
"How did it happen2 Tell me, Rober
Brice."
So Robert told his wife, and soon brigh
fire lighted up the before cheerless room
and there were four happy hearts that wait
Ell in joyful hope for the dawn of ''Merr
, Christmas Day."
The next week they moved to !. bette
home. They have never since known wha
it is to want. Robert found a firm frien
. in the merchant, and has an account In To
! savings bank, and has reason to remember
with grateful heart, Gods goodness o