Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-11-20
The DARK NIGHT.

II can't stand IL any longer, Jane
III 60 out, aud perhaps something
will turu up for us'
It's a cold night, Robert
Gold, yes! But it's not much cold
er outside th,n 10. 1t would have
been much better if you had married
John Tremain," be said bitterly
Don't say that. Robert, I've never
regretted m, choice"
"No: even now, when there is not
loaf Of bread in the house for You
and the children"
Mot even now, Robert. Don't be
discouraged. God has. not forsakep
us. Perhaps this evening the tide
will turn, and better days may dawn
upon us. Tomorrow"
Robert Brice shook his head des-
pondiogly.
You are more hopeful than /,
Jane. Day after day l have been 10
search of employment. | have called
at fifty places only to receive the same
answer every where"
Just then little Jimmy, who had
been asleep, woke up.
Mother, he pleaded, won't you
give me a piece of bread, am so hut
cry"
"There is no bread, Jimmy darl
ing said the mother with an aching
besrt.
"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, as
he siezed his hat and went to the
door.
His wife, alarmed, laid her hand
upon his sleeve. She saw the look
in bis eyes and she feared to what
step desperation might lead him.
Remember, Robert she said,
solepnly, "its hard to starve, but
there are things that are worse"
He shook of her hand, but not
roughly. and without a word passed
out.
Outin the cold s;reetsl They
would be his only home next, he
thought. For brief time longer he
bad the shelter Of cherries room
Ia a tenement house, Tut the rent
would become due at The end OF the
month. aud he had nothin. to meetit.
Robert Brice vas 3 mechanic, COM
petept and skillful. Three years
since he lived in country village,
where bis expenses we're moderate,
and he found no difficulty in meet
ing them. But in an evil hour be
grew tired Of his will ge home, and
be moved to the city For while
he met with very good success, but
he found the tenement house IN
which he lived q poor substitute for
the neat little cottage which be bad
occupied 10 The country. He saw his
mistake, but Was too proud to 60
back.
.'Of course | can't have as good &C
com modatioos here rs in the coun-
try" he said, "but it is something to
live 10, and be 10 the midst of things.
I'd rather be back sgain,' said
bis wife. "Somebow the city does
not seem like home. There | used
to run in and take tea with neigh
cor, and have a pleasant social time.
Here scarcely know anybody"
You'll get used to 1t after awhile,
said her husband.
She did not think so, but she did
not complain.
But the time of great depression
came and with it suspension OF
business enterprises. Work ceased
for Robert Brice aud many others
IF he had been in his old home he
could have turned his bsud st some.
thing else, and at the worst could
have borrowed from his Deighbor'
till batter times. But the friendly
relations arising from neighoorhood
do not exist in the city to the same
extent as in the country. SO, day
day, be saw his scsDty sum OF
money passing away. and no one eI-
tended q helping hand. Day by day
he wert out to do work, only to lind
himself one of a large number, ali OF
whom were doomed TO 0issppcint
ment. If he bad been alone ne conld
have got a'ong somehow, but 1t was
a sore trial to come 10 a cherries
room. and pale wife and hungry
children, and no relief TO of r.
Wien on that evening Robert
Brice went into the street, be hardly
knew how be was g0iog to redeem
the promise be had made to little
Jimmy. lie was absolutely penpl-
less, sod had been so for three dsys.
There was nothing he was likely to
find 10 d. that nigbt.
Il will pawn ny coat" be said at
lpst; Il cspoot see my wife aud child
rem al starse.'
1t was vell-worn Oyercost, and
that cold wipter be needed something
u.ore to keep hin warm. Weakened
by the enforced fast he was more
sensitive to the cod, and shlSered ss
he walked along the PAYMENT.
Yes be said, my coat must go
iItnov not how shsiI get along
without il, bat can't see the child
rem starve before ny eyes.
lie was not 10 general al eDVi0u-
I I..sL usalf Tod