The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-12-26
NJ Y n E W Y E A R
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

Dl EMMA OaRhloON JONES.
One solitary five dollar bill the last o
Charles earnings, and Charlie himsel
lying helpless and unconscious in the lit
tie bedroom, his right arm and shoul
der shattered by that dreadful fall
In the trundle-bed beside him, three
little curly heads, and three pairs o
chubby, restless feet, all sadly in neet
of shoes and stockings, and three hun
CRY little mouths that must have breat
and butter, and no coal in the bin ant
little food in the house.
The wintry dusk was fast deepening
into darkness, and snow was beginning
70 fall.
"I must have some wine for Charlie
I said at last, "and few other things
With these words l kissed my poor suf
ferer, and went oat into the tempest
l had gone but little distance wher
a woman's voice arrested my attention
in passionate and anguished entreaty.
paused an instant to listen Before the
door of small cottage couple of off
GERS stood, with slender lad between
them, and rough, brutal-looking man
whom recognized as one Bronton, the
landlord of the village Inn: On hel
knees before him, with her uncovered
head exposed to the storm, was the wo
man vino plead SO passionatsly.
Don't do il, sir" she was saying
"for Gods sake, don't! His fatherll be
home tomorrow, and he'll make it al
right; don't take my boy to prison!'
She put up her slender hand to GRASP
the tavern keepers arm, but he shook
her off with an oath.
81 won't wait, I tell you," he cried
"the young rascal stole my money, and
l want it back. Give me five dollars and
we'll play quits"
81 haven't FIVE dollars in the world
she sobbed; "but if you'll only wait,
can raise it tomorrow"
"No, l wont wsit, not another second
march on, officers; the young thiet
shall sleep in Jail this very night"
"Tm no thief, SIR" cried the lad, his
fine face blazing. 81 didn't steal your
meney-and you know it,
"Silence!" thundered the landlord
do you dare to call me liar? on
GERS, will you 60 onp'
I had thought my own trouble incom.
parable. But here was something in6n.
itely worse. 1mpelled by an impulse of
uncomfortable pity, stepped to the
poor mothers side.
"What is 1t my good woman p I ask
ed.
She turned her poor, agonized face
upon me, with fash of eager hope.
"Oh! they accuse my boy Of stealing,
madam" she cried; "and his father,
who's been over seas for two years, will
be home tomorrow and find his son in
Jail, like a common thief 1t will kill
him, and break my heart"
"My hand went instinctively to my
pocket. where the FIVE dollar bill rested
She watched the action with piteous
look in her poor ewes. l thought of my
own boy at home, brave little lad, so
like his father. What if this poor moth
er's case were my own?
/ drew the bill from my pocket and
put it in her hand. With a cry of JOY
she darted after the officers, and only
waiting to see that her boy was released,
I hurried away.
Charlie grew worse that night, and l
had to summon the doctor early on the
morrow. The doctor ordered fresh sup,
plies of medicine, good nursing, and the
best Of nourishment. Alas! had not
a cent in the house. Over and ove-
again, as I looked at Charles pale face,
the old saying, Charity begins at home,
recurred to me.
/ worked, every spare moment, at
some embroidery had procured; but it
was fine and tedious; and when l had
finished one piece, l seemed to be going
blind. But took it up to Mrs. Denham,
who had employed me, for I needed
money.
She examined it critically, and expires;
sed herself only toleratly pleased, and
then, settling back amid her warm cush-
ions, she remarked that she would pay
me when had finished all.
/ ventured remonstrance, but she
cut me short at once. "She had no
change" she said; "and, moreover, it
was rule of hers never to pay for part
of job"
/ hurried back to Charlie with an ach-
ing heart, and found him moaning with
pain, the hour for his medicine long
past, and the prescription in my pocket.
In desperation, I rushed to the bureau,
and drew out my Quaint little jewel case.
1t contained some triding articles-a
brooch that belonged to my mother, and
a few other trinkets. / selected two, ,and
hurried out again, down tile snowy street
to the one jewelre establishment of
which the little sea side village boasted.
1t was a hard task to prevail upon the
dealer to purchase nv trinkets, and
when at last he consented. he offered me
a few paltry shillings, which was forced
to accept.
Charles medicine was purchased, but
the few dimes that were left were barely
sufficient to obtain a small modicum of
coal for the morrow; and where was the
chicken for Charles broth to come
from?
paused in the snowy street, with the
glittsring winter stars above my head,
and the brilliant show windows 1aunt-
ing on each side. Just then merry
chime Of bells clashed upon the frosty
air, and for the first time remembered
that it was New Years Eve.
A pain as sharp as death pierced my
heart, as stood there, thinking Of my
far.away friends, and wondering what l
should do: A grocsr's shop, brilliantly
lighted, stood just across the street. l
flew over the slippery flag-stones, and
entered. The grocer hurried forward,
all smiles and bows
"Would he let me have chicken and
a bottle of wine?" / asked, with my
heart in my mouth. "My husband was
i'll and-and-would he be good enough
to trust me till next week Z"
His countenance fell on the Instant
He hesitated and stammered GHe was