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

"It's a cool night, Robert"
"Cold, yes z But it is not much colder
outside than in. It would have been much
better for you if you had married Johu Ire.
MAN," he said bitterly.
"Don't say that, Robert; I've never regret
ted my choice"
"Not even now, Robert. Don't be discour-
aged. God has not forsakcn us. Perhaps
this New Years cvo the tide will turn bet
ter days may dawn upon us o.morrow."
Robert Bryce shoook bis head dcspondug-
ly.
"You arc moro hopeful than 7, Jane Day
after day have been in search of employ.
mcnt | have called ut fifty places only to
receive the same answer everywhere"
Just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
"Mother," he pleaded, "wont you give me
piece Of bread | am SO hungry"
"Thcre is no bread, Jimmy darling" said
the mother, with an aching heart
"Whcn will there be some 2" asked the
child pitcously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to say.
"Jimmy, III bring you somo bread" said
the father hoarscly, and seized his hat and
went TO the door.
His wife alarmed, laid her hand upon his
sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes, and
she feared to what step desperation might lead
him.
"Remcnber Robert" she said solcmnly,
cit is hard to starve, bnt there are things that
are worse"
He shook of her hanG, but not roughly,
and without a word passed out.
Out in the cold street. There would be
their only hoIse noSt Fora briof time lon
ger he had the shelter of cheerless room in
cold tenement house, but the rent would
come due at the end of the month, and he
had nothing to meet it.
Robert Bryce was mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived in
a country village, where his expenses were
moderate, and he found no difficulty in meet
ing them. But in an evil hour he grew tir
cd Of his village home and removed to the
city. Here he vainly hoped to do better
For while he met with very good success,
bat found his tenement house in which he
was Obliged to live, a poor substitute for the
neat cottage which hc bad occupied in the
country II saw his mistake, but was too
proud to 60 back.
'Of course | can't have as good accommo.
dations here as in the country" he said, "but
it is something to live in, and be in the
midst Of things"
I'D rather be back again." said his wife
"somehow the city doesn't seem like home
there used to run in and take tea with
ncighbor, and nave pleasant social time
here know sea- ely anybody"
"Y QUILL get used to it after a. WHILE" said
her husband.
She did not think SO, but did not like to
complain.
But time Of great depression came, and
with it suspension of business enterprises.
Work ceased for Robert Bryce and many
others. If he had been in his old home, he
could have turned his ha~ds to something
else, and at the worst coulu have borrowed of
his neighbors till better times. But the
friendly relations arising from neighborhood
do not exist in tho city to tho salne 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 were doomed to
disappointment. If lie had been alone, he
could have got along somehow, but it was
sore trial to come toa choerlcss room and
pale wife and hungry children with no relief
to offer them.
When on that New Years eve Robert
Bryce went into the streets, he hardly knew
how he was going to redeem tho promise he
had made littlc Jimmy. lie was absolutely
pcnniless and had been 80 for three days
There was nothing that ho was likely to find
to do that night.
81 will pawn my coat" he said at last.
"I cannot see my wife and children starvo."
1t was we'll worn ovcrcont, and that cold
winter night ho needed something moro to
keep him warm. Weakened by enforced fas.
ting, ho was moro sensitive to the cold, and
shiycred as he walked along tho pavement
eyes, ho said, "my coat must go. I
know not how / shall got along without it,
but l cannot sec tho ohildron starvo before
nv ewes" ~ ~ "'|-HiGf