The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-10-05
There was nothing that he was likely


II will pawn my coat" he said at
last. IL cannot see my wife and child
ren s.arve."
1T was a well worn overcoat, and
that rcld winter night he needed some.
thin. more 70 keep him warm. Weaken
ed by enforced fasting, he was more
sensitive to the cold, aud shivercd as he
walked along the pavement.
Yes" he snid, "ny coat must go, ]
know not how shall get along without
it, but | can't see the children starve
before my eyes"
He was mt in general an envi,us
man, but when lie saw sleek, well fed
citizens buttoned up To the throat in warm
overcoats, come out of the brilliantly
lighted shops, provided with luxuries
for happy children at home, while his
were st:rving, he suifercl some bitter
thoughts upon the inequality OF Fortunes
gifts IT, cuMc To his.
Why should they be SO happy and he
iniSc,a lie !
here vas one man, shorter than him
self warm rlad, who passed him with
his hands thrust deep INTO the puckr o
ur his "vcrcnat. There was Il pleasant
sm,le upon his face lie VA, doubtless
linking upon the happy circle at home.
1 u, 4,
whose ample warehouse he often passed
ii. had applied to this man only TWO
days before for rmployment and had
been refused. IL WAS perhaps, the
thought of the wide difference between
them, 40 far as outward circumstances
went, that led X bert lirice to follow
him
After a while the merchant, Mr.
Grimes. drew his handkerchief from his
.cke As he did So, he did not per.
ccive that his pocket book came with it
aud fell to the sidewalk
lie did not perceive it, but Robert
did. His heart leaped into his mouth,
aud "a sudden thought entered his miud
He bent quickly duwu aud picked up
the pock et-book He raised his eyes
hastily to >ce if the movement was
nr,iced. 1t was not.
The merchant went on unhecding his
loss
This will buy bread f,r my wife and
childrnn,' though, R,b,,t inst lnily
A vision Of the comfort which the
money would bring that cherries room,
lighted up his heart for au insluut, bat
then, for he was not dishonest, there
came another thought. The money Wa,
not his. much as he wanted il.
but Icanuo, sec my wife aud chill
dieI stLrvc," he thous again. IF it
is wrong t. kAep his money G cd viii
,.ar,in the offence He will understand
my motiye.
Ill this was snphistry and he knc y
it. In y moment he felt it t. be so
There were some things worse thar
starvation. 1t WIS just what his wife
said before he came out Could lie
meet her gazo. when he rturn il with
food 80 obtained
"1've lived honest so far" he thought
"l won t turn thief now"
1t was with an effort that he came to
I,t Il N
his eyes there was that vision of cheer
less home, and could hear Jimmy vainly
asking for food 1t was with an efTor,
that he stepped Horw,rd and placed h is
hand on the merchants shoulder. and
extended the hand that held the pocke
book.
Sir" he said hoarsely, you have
dropped you pocket book.'
"rhank you said the merchant,
;arii;iig around, Il hadn't perceived my
loss "
You dropped it when you took ou,
ynu handkerchief"
And you saw it aud picked it up
al" very much obliged to you"
You nave reason To be," said Robert
Is, a l'w vo,,e Il came very near keep
my 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, ypu aud your family are not
in that condition = said the merchant
| .,ru.Atly