The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-01-06

He was not IN general an enviouE
man, but when he saw sleek, well-fed
citizens buttoned up to the throat in
warm overcoats, come outOf the bril-
liantly lighted shops, provided with
presents for happy children at home,
while his were starving, he suffered
some bitter thoughts upon the in
equality of fortunes gifts to come TO
his mind.
Why should they be so happy; he
so miserable?
The was time, he remembered it
well, when he too suffered not the
Christmas Eve to pass without buy
ing some little gifts 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 deep into the
pockets Of his overcoat. There was
q pleasant smile upon his face. He
was doubtless thinking of the happy
circle at home.
Robert knew him as a rich mer-
chant whose ample warehouse he Of
ten passed. He had applied to this
man only two days before for en-
ployment and been refused. It was
perhaps, the thought of the wide diff
ference between them, so far as out
ward circumstances went, that led
Robert Brice to follow him.
After a while, the merchandise.
Grimes-drew his handkerchief safe
ly from his pocket. As he did so,
he did not perceive that his pocket
book came with it and fell to the side
walk.
He did not perceive it but Robert
did. His heart leaped into his mouth,
and a sudden thought entered his
mind. He bent quickly down and
picked up the pocket book. He rails
ed his eyes hastily to see if the move
ment was noticed. 1t was not. The
merchant went On unheeding his loss.
"This will buy bread for my wife
and children" thought Robert, in
stantly.
A vision of the comfort which the
money would bring that cherries
room, lighted up his heart for an in
slant, but then, for he was not dis
honest, there came another thought.
The money was not his, as much as
he wanted it.
"But l cannot see my wife and
children starve," he thought again
"If it is wrong to keep the money
God, will pardon the offence. He
will understand my motive"
All this was sophistry, and he knew
it. In a moment he felt it to be so
There were some things worse than
starvation. 1t was his wife who had
said this just before he came out
Could he meet her gaze, when he re-
turned with food so obtained2
"Pve lived honest so far" he
thought; 81 won't turned thiefnoW.'
1t was with an effort that he came
to this decision, for all the while
there was before his eyes that vision
of a cheerless home. and he could
hear Jimmy vainly asking for food
1t was with an effort that he stepped
forward and placed his hand on the
merchants shoulder, 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 tool
out your handkerchief"
"And you saw it and picked it up
1 am much obliged to you"
"You have reason to be-" saiC
Robert in a low voice. 81 came neal
keeping it."
"That would have been dishonest,
said Mr.. Grimes, his tone altering
slightly.
"Yes, it would; but it's hard on 8
man to honest when he is penniless
and his wife and children without
crust"
"Surely your family are not in
that condition" said the merchant
earnestly.
eyes, said Robert, its only true.
'And you are out of workY'
"For two months I have vainlY
sought for work, I applied to yor
two days since"
''I remember you now. I though
1 had seen your face before. YoU
still want work 2"
"l should feel grateful for it.
"A porter left me yesterday. vii
you take his place for twelve dollar
a week?"
thankfully, sir. I would for hal
that"
"Then come Tomorrow morning
or rather, as tomorrow will be a holi
day, the succeedingday. Meantime
takethis for your present necessities
He drew from his pocket book
bank note, and put it into Robert
hand.
"It's fifty dollarsl" said Robert, il
amazement.
81 know it. The pocket book con
tains thousand dollars. But fol
you should have lost the whole.
wish you a merry Christmas"
at will, indeed, he merry Christ
may" said Robert, with emotion
"God bless you, sir. Good nightr
"Good nightr'
Jane waited for her husband, il
the cold and cheerless room, whicl
for few days longer she might cal
her home.
"Do you think father will brin!
some bread?' said little Jimmy, as h
nestled in her lap.
81 hope so, darling" she said; bu
her heart misgaye her. She feareC
it was a delusive hope.
An hour passed-there was a step OF
the stair-he husbands. 1t coulc
not be, for this was a cheerful, elias
tic step, coming up two stairs at
time. She looked eagerly to the door
Yes, it was he. The door opened
Robert, radiant with joy, entered witt
a basket full of substantial provis
ions.
"Have you got some bread, father
asked Jimmy, hopefully.
Eyes, Jimmy, some bread and mea
from a restaurant, and here's littlt
tea and sugar. There's. little Woo
left, Jane. Let's have bright fir
and a comfortable meal, for, please