The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-12-27
THE DARK HOUR.

Its cold night, Robert"
Cold yes But it's not much colder
outside than in. 1t would have been much
better for you if you had married John
Tremain," he said bitterly.
Don't say that, Robert-I've never re-
grettod my choice"
Not even now, when there is not loaf
OF bread in the house for you and the chill
dren?"
Not even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couraged. God has forsakenus. Perhaps
this Christmas eve the tide win turn, bet
ter days may dawn upon us tomorrow
Robert Brice shook his head despouding-
'"You are more hopeful than I, Jane.
Day after day | have been i'll search of en-
plovment. I have called at fifty places.
only to receive the same answer every
whero.''
Just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
Mother" he pleaded, won't you give
me piece of bread | am so hungry"
There is no bread Jimmy, darling, said
the mother. with al aching heart
When will there be some?" asked the
child, piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to say.
Jimmy, I'll bring you some bread,
said the father hoarsely, and he 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.
@Remember, Robert" she said solemn
ly, sit is hard tn starvc, but there are things
that are worse
He shook her hand, but not roughly, and
without a word passed cut.
Out in the cold street That would be
their only home next. For brief time
longer he had the shelter of chcerless
room in a cold tenement house, but the
rent would become due at the end of the
month, and he had nothing TO meet it.
Robert Brice was mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived in
a country village where his expenses were
moderate and he found no difficulty III
meeting them. But III al evil hour lie
grew tired of his village home and removed
to the CITY. Here he vainly hoped to do
better. For while he met with very good
success, but he found his tenement house,
in'which he was obliged to live, l very poor
substitute Cor :he neat cottage which he
had occupied in ttia country. He SAW his
mistake, but he was to proud to 50 back.
'.Qf course. | can't have as good accomo-
dations here as in the country" he said
but il is something to live III, 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 u run in and take tea
with a ncighbor, and Lave pleasant social
time here | know scarcely anybody
you'll get used 10 it after while, said
her husband.
She did not think so, but did not like to
complain.
But time of great depression came, and
with It a suspension Of business enterprises.
Work ceased for Robert Brice and many
liz n.RlFt
home he could have turned his hand to
something else, and al the worst, could have
borrowed of his neighbors until better
times But the friendly relations arising
from neighborhood 60 not exist in the city
to the same 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
II he had been alone lie could have got
along somehow, but it WAS Il sore trial to
come to a cheerless room, and a pale vile
and hungry children, with no reilefto offer
them.
When, OH that Christmas eve, Robert
Brice went into the street, he hardly knew
how he was going to redeem the promise
he had made. little Jimmy He was abso-
lutelv penniless and had been so for three
DAYS. There was nothing chat he was
likely 70 20 s Ia. 70 ri Giy 'taf o5r he said at last
81 cannot see my,HifC and children starYe.
1t was a well worn oyercoat, and that
cold winter night he needed something
more to keep him warm. Weakened by
enforced fasting he was more sensitive to
.he cold, and sliVerCd as hc walked along
the pavement.
Yes he said ''my coat must go.
know not how l shall get along without it,
but | cannot see my children starve before
my eyes"
He was not i'll general an envious man,
but when lie saw sleek, well-fcd citizens
buttorCd up to the throat IN warm over
coats, come out of the brilliantly lighted
shops, provided with presents for happy
children at home while his were starving,
he suffered some bitter thoughts upon the
equality Of fortunes gifts TO come to his
mind.
Why should they be 50 happy and he SO
, miserable?
There was 4 time. he remembered it well,
when he too suffered not the Christmas eve
to mass without buying some little gift for
Jimmy and rnes. 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 into the pockets OF his over
coat. There was 4 pleasant smile ON his
face. lie was doubtless thinking of the
happy circle at home.
Robert knew him as a rich merchant,
whose ample warehouse he had often pass
cd. He had applied to this man only two
days before for employment and been re-
fused.
1t was perhaps tie thought of the wide
difference between them, 50 far As outward
circumstances went, that led Robert to fol-
low him.
After while, the merchant, Mr.. Grimes
drew his handkerchief safely from his pock-
ct As he did so, he did not perceive that
his pocketbook came out with it and foll
to the sidewalk.
He did not perceive it, but Robert d'd-
His heart leaped into his mouth, ana d
( sudden thought entered his mind ne Tci.'
quickly down and picked up the l.chet- '-'.-
book He raised his eyes instai,'iy - 80
/ if the the movement was noticed. II Was was
not The merchant went on uiiHee"i'iS
his loss