Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-03-23
SaIes 8 shstebes.
TIE DARK NIGHT.


81 can't stand it any longer, Jane, III
go out, and perhaps something will turn
up for u.s."
''Its cold night Robert
"Cold, yes But it's not much colder
outside than in. 1t would have been bet
ter if you had married John Trcmain,n - he
said bitterly.
Don't say that, Robert I've never re-
GREETED my choice" ... ...
mot even now, when there is not loaf
Of bread i'll the house for you and the chill
dren ~
Not even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couraged. God has not forsaken us. Per
haps this evening the tide will turn. and
better days may dawn upon us tomorrow.
Robert Brice shook his head desponding-
ly.
"You are more hopeful than l, Jane.
Day after day have been in search Of
employment | have called at fifty places.
only TO receive the same answer every
where"
Just then little Jimmy, who had been as
lecp, woke up.
Mother" he pleaded, "won't You give
me piece of bread ? l ain so hungry"
There is no bread, Jimmy, darling, :"
said the mother with an aching heart.
when will there be some 7" 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 of desperation
might lead him.
n. lAar II oh chn coli enla
ly, lit is hard to starve, but there are things
that are worse"
lie shook of her hand, but not roughly,
and without word passed out.
Out in the cold streets They would be
his only home next, he thought. For II
brief time longer he had the shelter OF a
cheeress room in n 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 skillfull. Three years since he lived in
a country village where his expenses were
moderate, and he found no difficulty in
meeting them. But in an evil hour he grew
tired OF his village home, and he removed
to the city. Here he vainly hoped to do
better. For while he met with very good
success, but he found the tenement house
in which he was obliged to live, a poor sub
stitutc for the heat little cottage which he
had occupied in the country. He saw his
! mistake but was too proud TO 90 back
"Of course | cant have as good accom-
modations here rs in the country he said,
''but it is something to live in and to be
in the midst Of things"
I'D rather be back again." said his
wife. Somehow the city doesn't seem
like home. There l used to run in and
take tea with a neighbor, and have plea
SAINT time. Here, know scarcely anybo-
! dy."
you'll get used to it after II while, "
said her husband.
She did not think SO, but she did not
complain.
But time Of great depression came and
with ii suspension OF business enterprises.
! Work ceased for Robert Brice and many
others. If he had been in his old home, he
could have turned his hands to something
( else, and at the worst could have borrowed
! of his neighbors till better times. But the
/ friendly relations arising from neighbor-
/ hood do not exist to the same extent in the
| city as in the country. SO day by day he
saw his scanty sum Of money waste away
and no one extended a hand. Day by day
he went out to seek work, only to find him
self one of large number, all of whom
were doomed to disappointment. lfhe had
been alone he could have got along some
how, but it was a sore trial TO come to a
cheerless room and pale wife and hungry
children with no relief to offer them.
When on that evening Robert Brice went
/ into the streets, he hardly knew how he
was going to redeem the promise he had
made to little Jimmy. He was absolutely
penniless, aud had been so for three days.
There was nothing that he was likely to
find To do that night,
Il will pawn my coat, he said at last.
II cannot see my wife 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 tC
the cold. aud shisered as he walked along
the pavement. ..
! YES" he said, "my coat must go.
4 know not how shall get along without it
but 1 can't see my children starye before
my eyes.n