Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-02-01
M isrfI laMeans.
MY NEW YEAR.

of Cnarlie's earnings. and Charlie himsel
lying helpless and unconscious in the
little bedroom, his right arm and shout
der sha tered BY the dreadful fall
In the trunde bed beside him. three
little curly heads, and three pairs of club.
Wy restless feet, all sadly in need of shoes
aud stockings, and three hungry little
III ouths that must have bread and butter;
nd no coal in the bin, and little food in
he house.
The nintry dusk was fast deepenip g
into darkness, and snow was beg inn in 2
to fall.
Il must have some wine for Charlie"
I said at last, and few other things"
With these words, | kissed my poor SUI
ferer and vent out into the tempest.
| had gone but a little distance when
a womap's voice arrested my attention, in
passionate and sgon lied entreaty.
paused an instant to listen. Before the
door of small cottage couple officers
stood, with slender lad between them.
and rough, brutal-looking man, whom
l recognized as one Bron:on, the lanlord
of the VILLAGE inn. On her knees before
him, with her uncovered head exposed
t. the storm, was the woman who plead
SO passionately.
Don't do it, sir." she was saying;
"for Gods sake don't. His father will
be home tomorrow and he will make it
all right; don't take my boy to prison.
She put up her slender hand to clasp
the tavern keepers arm, but be shook
her off with an oath.
81 won't wait, I tell you," be cried
"the young rascal stole my money, and l
want it back. Give me FIVE dollars and
we'll play quits"
Il haven't five dollars in the world"
she sobbsd; but you will only wait I
can rails it Tomorrow
mo, wen's wait, not another second
march on, officers; the young THE f
shall sleep in jail this very night"
Pm no thief, sir" cried the lad, his
fue face blazing. Il didn't steal your
money--and you know it,"
"Sllence p thandered the landlord
$40 you dare to call me liar? Officers,
will you 60 on ?"
| had thought my own trouble incom-
parable. But here was something inf
nitely verse. Impelled by an impulse
of uncomfortable pity, 1 stepped to the
poor mothers side.
"What is it, my good woman?" I
asked.
Che turned her poor agon lied face up
on me, with flash of cage: hope.
ooh, they accuse my boy of stealing,
madam" she cried; sand his father who
has been over the sea for two years. will
be home tomorrow, and fud his son in
Jail. like common taief. 1t will kill
him and break my heart"
My hand went instinctively to my pock-
ct, where the five dollar bill restsd. She
watched the action with pitcous look
in her poor eyes. thought ofmy own
boy at home. brave little lad. SO like
his father. What ifthis poor mothers
case were my own.
I drew the bill from my pocket. and
put it in her hand. With cry of joy
she darted after .he officers, and only
waiting to see that the boy was released,
| hurried away.
Charlie grew verso that night, and |
had TO summon the doctor early on the
morrow. TIE doctor ordered fresh sup
plies of medicine. good nursing, and the
best of nourishment.
"Alas l had not cent in the house.
Over and over again, as looked at
Charles pale face. the old saying,
Charity begins at home, required to me.
worked every spare moment, at some
embroidery had procured; but it was
fine and tedious, and when had finished
one piece I seemed to be going blind.
But I took it up to Mrs. Dcnham, who
had employed me, for I needed money.
She examined it critically, and ex-
pressed herself tolerably pleased, and
then, Sc thing back amid her warm cush-
ions, she remarked that she would pay ne
when had finished all.
ventured rsmonstrance. but she
cut me short at once. "She had no
change" she said; and moreover; it was
rule Of hers never to pay fer part OF
| job. :,
I 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. 10
desperation l rushed to the bureau, and
| drew out my quaint little jewel case. 1t
contained some triaing articles "a brooch
that belonged to my mother. and several
other srinkets. l selected two and bur-
ried GU. again, down the srowy street to
the one jewelry establishment Of which
the little sea side village boosted. \