Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-05
THE DARK NIGHT.

III u COiu nSut, hOutIt.
Gold, yes But it's not much colder out
side than in. Itwould have been bette IL you |
had married John Tremaine,' he said bitter |
ly.
Don't say that Robert. I've never regretted |
my choice
Not even now, wheA there is not loaf of
bread In the house for You aud the chill
drenr
Not even now Robert. Don't be discour-
aged. God has not forsaken u.s. Perhaps this
evening the tide will turn, and better d,ys may
dawn upon u.s.
Robert Brce shook his head despondingly.
You are more hopeful than |, Jane. Day
after day L have been in search Unemployment;
have called at fifty places, only to receive the
same answer everywhere
Just then little Jimmy, who had been asleep
woke up.
Mother he pleaded, won't you give me
piece Of breadf I'm so hungry
There is no bread, Jimmy, darling said the
MOTHER with an aching heart.
When will there be someP asked the child
piteously
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She knew
not what TO say.
Jimmy, Ill bring you somo bread said the
father hoarsely, and he seized his hat and wen:
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, solemaly, iii
is hard to starve, but there are things that are
worse
He shook off her hand, but not roughly, and
without word passed out.
Out in the COLI streets, They would be his
only home next, he thought
For biief tine longer he Lad the shelter Of
cherries room in a cold tenement house, but
the rent would become due at the end of the
mouth and lie had nothing 10 meet it.
Robert Bricc was amcchanic, competent and
skilful.
Three years since he lived in country vii
lage where his expenses were moderate, aud he
found no difficulty in meeting them Blu! in an
evil hour he lrew tired of his village home, aud
he removed 10 the city.
For while he met with very good success,
but lie found the tenement house in which lie
was obliged 10 live poor substitut. for the neat
little cottage which lie had occupied in the
country
He saw his mistake, but was too proud to go
back.
'Of course | can't have rs good accommoda-
lions here as in the country he said, but it's
something TO live in and be in the midst of
things
ia rather he back again. said his wife. -
Somehow the city doesn't. seem like home
There used 10 run in and take tea with a
neigh6or, and have pleasant and social time.
Here know scarcely anybody
You'll get used to it after while said her
husband.
She did not think so, but she did not com
plain.
But time OF great depression came, ard
WIN IL suspension VI many business enterpri-
ses.
Work ceased for Robert Brice and many 9th.
ers. Ii he had been in his old home, he could
nave TUNED his hands TO something else, and
at the worst have borrowed from his neighbors
III better times. But the friendly relations
arising from neighborhood do not exist in tue
city TO the same extent as in the country.
so day by day he his scanty sum of mon
ey passing away, and no one extend a helping
hand. Day by day he went out to find work only
TO md himself one of large number, all OF
whom were doomed to disappointment. If he
had been alone he could have got along some
now, but 1t was a sore trial 10 come 10 a cheer
less room, and pale wife and Ii mary children,
with no relief to offer them.
When, OH that evening Robert Brio, went into
the street, he hardly knew how lie was going to
redeem the promise he had made to little jim
my lie was absolutely penniless and had
been so for three days. There was nothing
mat he was likely to find 10 do that cold even
ing.
i will pawn my coal, he said at last; Il can
not see my wife and children sarye
II was wcll-worn oveIcoat, aud that cold
winter night he needed something mole to
Keep him warm. Weakened by enforced fast
ing he was more sensitive to the cold and shiy-
cred as he walked along the pavement.
yes said he, my coat must 20. / know
not how shall get along without it, but can
not see the children sIarve before my eyes.
lie was not in general an enyiuus man, but
when he saw sleek, we-fed citizens, Duttoued
up to the throat in warm oyercoats come out of
tie brilliantly lighted shops, provided with lux
uries for happy children at home while his
STARVING hA qIiftt., md. a,t,a, IT,
upon the inequality Vi Fortunes gifts, TO com
To his mind.
Why should they be So happy and lac so mis-.
cradle.
There was one man shorter than himself
warmly cad who passed him with his hands
thrust deep into the pockets of his overcoat-
at home. F'
Robert knew him a rich merchant, whose
ample warehouse he often passed. He had ap
pied TO this man only two days before for EN-.
ployment, and been refused 1t was perhan,
the thought OF the wide difference between
them, 30 far as outward circumstances went
that led Robert to follow him.
Ater WINE the merchant, Mr.. Grimes draw
ms nandkerchiefslo slowly from his pocket. Ali
he did not perceive that his pocket-book came
with 1t and fell 10 the sidewalk
lie did not perceive it but Robert dill his
heart eaped into his mouth, and A sndjnn
thousht entered his mind. lie bent quickly
down and picked up the pocket book. lie
raised ms eyes hastily to see if the movement
was noticed. 1t was not.
The merchant went slowly on uuheedins his
loss. s "''
This will buy bread for nv wifi. and cliI.
dren, thought Robert.
vision oi the comfort which TIA, ,rnr,,.
would bring that cherries room liaAtad nm III
neart Tor all instant, but then for he was nnT
dishonest, there came another thollphI- lilo
money was not lbs, much as he desired il.
put cannot see my wife and children
starve,' he thought again. If it is wrong IN
keep tins money, God will pardon the Offence
he VIII understand my motiye.'
ALI this was sophistry, and he knew If I,
moment lie felt it TO be So
There were some things worse than st,rva-
ton. 'i''i s'arNa'
TWAS his wife that had said that inst beforo
ne came out Could he meet her tSaze wban
nc returned with food so obtained.
i've lived honest SO far he thought Il Won't
turn thief now. Won
IL was with an effort that he came tn that do
elsioni for all the while before his eyes there
was that vision OF cherries home. and he
could hear Jimmy vainly asking for food
IL was with an effort that he epped forward
anu placed his hand on the merchants shout
ger, and extended the hand that held the nork.
ct book. "e'1 'ue Poch-
SIR he said hoarsey you have Jro,nsd
your pocket-book, D'opp'u