The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-10-05


II will pawn my coat" he said nt
last. IL cannot sec my wife and child
reu starve."
1T was well worn overcoat, and
that cold winter night he needed some
thing more to keep him warm. Weaken
ed by enforced fasting, he was more
sensitive to the cold, aud shivered as he
walked along the pavement
Yes" lie said, my coat must go,
know not how shall get along without
it, but | cant see the children starye
before my eyes"
He was mt in general an envi,us
man, but when he saw sleek, we'll fed
citizens, buttonedupto the throat in warm
overcoats, come out of the brilliantly
lighted shops, provided with luxurics
Tor happy children at home, while his
were st:rving, he suffered some bitter
thoughts upon the inequality OF Fortunes
gifts tu cruc to his.
Why should they be SO happy and he
o misera lie
! here "as Que man, shorter than him
self warmly clad, who passed him with
his hands thrust deep INTO the puckr o
"f his "verc"at. There was Il pleasant
sn,rlc upon his face lie was doubtless
irnA'ug upon the happy circi.: at home
Robert knew him as IL rich mercla.t
whose ample warehouse he often passed
n- had applied to this man only TWO
days before for employment and had
been refused. 1t was perhaps, the
thought of the wide difference between
them, 40 far as outward circumstances
went, that led Il bert Brce to follow
him
After while the merchant, Mr..
Griues, drew his handkerchief from his
pocke. A. he did So he did not per-
ceive that his pocket book came with it
aud fell 10 the sidewalk.
He did not perceive it, but Robert
did. His heart leaped into his mouth,
mud sudden thought entered his mind.
He bent quickly ddwu aud picked up
the pocket-book Ha raised his eyes
hastily to see if the movement Was
no,iccd. 1t was not
The merchant went on unhecding his
loss.
This will buy bread f"r my wife and
children, though, Rnb,:,t inst ,ntly
A vision OF the comfort which the
money would bring that cheerless room,
lighted up his heart for au instant, bat
then, for he was not dishonest, there
came another thought. The money wa-
not his. much as he wanted il.
"But Iscannoc sec my wife aud chill
diea stirve,' he thous again. If it
is wrong t. keep hiS money G cd will
pardon the offence. He will understand
my motive.
Ill this was snphistry, and he knc y
If. In moment he felt it t be so
There were some things worse than
starvation. 1t was just what his wife
said before he came out Could he
meet her gazo. when he rrturu.d with
food so obtained
"lve lived honest so far" he thought
81 won t turn thief now"
1t was with an effort that he came to
this decision, for all the while before
his eyes there was that vision of cheer
less home, and could hear Jimmy vninly
asking for food. 1t was with an cHfor,
that he stepped forward and plnced h is
hand on the merchants shoulder, and
extended the haai that held the pocket
book,
Sir" he said hoarsely, you have
dropped you pocket bouk.'
"fhank you" saif the merchant.
turning around, Il hadn't perceived my
loss
You dropped it when you took out
Jou handkerchief"
And you saw it aud picked i, up
al" very much obliged TO you"
You nave reasun to be" said Robert
"a Il l'w vo"e Il came very uear keep
lng it,
That would have been dishonest"
said Mr.. Grimes, his tone altering
slightly.
"Yes, it would, but it's hard in man
to be honest when his wife and children
are without crust"
Surely you and your family are not
in that condition Z" said the merchant
earnestly.