Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-03-03

vidcd with presents for happy children at
home, while his were starving, he suffered
some bitter thoughts on the inequality of for
tunes gifts to come to his mind.
Why should they DO so happy, hc SO mis-
erablc
There was time, he remembered it we'll,
whom he too suffered not tho Now Years eve
to pass without buying some little gift for
Jimmy and Agnes. How little he dreamed
then that they would ever want bread.
There was one man shorter than himself,
warmly clad, who passed him with his hands
thrust deeply into the pockets OF his over
coat. There was Il pleasant smile upon his
face. He was doubtless thinking Of the hap.
py circle at home.
Robert knew him as rich merchant,
whose ample warehouse ho often passed
lie had applied to this man only two days
before for employment and had been refused
1T was, perhaps, the thought Of the wide diff
ference between them, so far as outward cir
cumstanccs went, that led Robert Bryce to
follow him.
After Il while the merchant Mr.. Grimes
drew his handkerchief swiftly from his
pocket AS he did so he did not perceive
that his pocket book came with it and fell on
the sidewalk.
lie did not perceive it but Robert did
His heart lcapcd into his mouth, and SUI. .
den thought entered his mind. lie bent
quickly down ani picked up the pocket book
lie raised his eyes hastily to see if the move
mcnt was noticed. 1t was not. The mcr,
chant went on, unhccding his loss.
"1his will buy bread for my wife and chil-
drcn," thought Robert instantly
a vision Of the comfort which the money
would bring that chcclcss room, lighted up
his heart for an instant, but then for he was
rot dishonest, there came another thought
The money was not his, as much as he want
ed it.
"Eu; cannot see my wife and children
sarvc," he thought again eff it is wrong
to keep the money, God will pardon the Of
Tense lJc.will understand ny motive"
All this was sophistry ard he knew it In
moment he felt it to be So There were
some things worse than starvation. 1t was
his wife whr had said this just before he
came out Gould he meet her gaze when he
rctur.od with food SO obtained
"pvc lived honest so far" he thought, ~
won't turn thief now"
1t was with an effort he came to this dccis
ion, for all the while there was bolorc his
eyes that vision Of chccrlcss home, and he
could hear Jimmy vainly asking for bread
1t was with an effort that he stepped forward
and placed his hand on tic merchants shoul-
der, and extended the hand that held the
pocket book.
"Thank you," said the merchant, turning
round, 81 hadn't perceived my loss"
"You dropped it when you took out your
handkerchief"
"And you saw it and pick cd it up. am
much obliged to you"
"You have reason to be-" said Robert in
low voice. 81 came near keeping it,"
"Hhat would have been dishonest said
Mr.. Grimes, his tone altering slightly.
"Ics it would; but it's hard on q man to
be honest when he is pcnnicss, and his wife
aud children without crust"
"Surcly you and your family arc not in
that condition 2" said tue merchant earnestly.
eyes" said Robert, OTIS only true"
"And you arc out Of work p
"For two months have vainly ought for
work. Iapplicd to you two days since"
81 remember you now thought had
seen your face before. You still want work"
"I should feel grateful for it"
"a porter left inc yesterday. VIII you
take his place for twelve dollars week
"Tl.AnkfulIy, sir. I would for half that"
"Thon come tomorrow morning, or rather,
MS tomorrow will be holiday, the day sue.
cecding. Meantime take this for your pres
cnt necessities"
Gle drew from his pocket book blank
note, and put into Roberts land.
dts fifty dollars |" said Robert in amaze
mcnt.
81 know it. The pocket book contains q
thousand dollars. But for you should have
lost the whole. | wish you merry Now
Year"
"It will, indeed, bo merry New Year."
said Robert with emotion. "God bless you,
sir, Good night"
Good night J!
Jane waited for her husband in tho cold and