The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-01-03
MY NEW YEAR.
By EMMA GARRISON JONES.


One soit Try fve-dollar bill, the last of
Chsrlie's earnings, and Charlie himself
lying helpless and unconscious in the
hile bedroom, his right arm and shoul-
der sh TERED by that dreadful fall
In the trundle-bed beside him, three
little curly heads, and three pairs of
chubby, restless feet, all sadly in need
Of shoes and stockings, and three hur.
gy little mouths that must have bread
and butter, and no coal in the bin, and
little food in the house.
The wintry dusk was fast deepening
into darkness, and snow was beginning
fall.
al must have some wine for Charlie" I"
lsaid at last, "and a few other things"
With these wo ds, kissed my poor suf-
erer, and went out into the tempest.
had gone but little distance when
sTcman's voice arrested my attention,
inpassionate and agonized entreaty. |
paused an Instant to listen. Before the
door of small cottage, couple of
oficers stood, with slender lad betwe. n
them, and 3 rough, brutal-looking man,
whom recognized as one Bronton, the
landlord of the village inn. On her
knees before him, with her uncovered
head exposed 10 the storm, was the wo-
man who plea: SO passionately.
Don't do it, SIR" she was saying;
Tor Gods sake, don't! His father will
@ home tomorrow, and he'll make it
alright; don't take my boy to prison"
She put up her slender hands to ella p
,he tavern keepers arm, but he shook
her OF with an oath.
81 won't wait, l tell you," he cried;
the young rascal stole my money, and
| want it back. Give me five dollars
and veil play quits"
Il haven't FIVE dollars i'll the world b"
Ne sobbed; shut ii you'll only wait, |
can raise it tomorrow"
mo, l won't wait, not another second
march on, officers; the young thief
mall sleep in Jail this very night"
I'm no thief SIR" cried the lad, his
nee blazing. :. 81 didn' t steal your money
and you know it,"
Si!ence!' thundered the landlord.
DO you dare to call me liar? Officers,
vii you 60 on?'
lhad thought my own trouble inoom-
parable. But here was something in
snitely worse. Impelled by an impulse
o. uncomfortable pity, stepped to the
poor msther's side.
What is it, my good womar?" l
sked.
She turned her poor, az ;nized face
upon me, with flash of eager hope.
'0h! they accuse my bog of stealing,
madam" she cried, and his father,
sa9's been over seas for two years, will
home tomorrow, and find his son in
ial, like common thief. 1t will kill
I'm, AID break my heart"
ny hand went instinctiveiy to my
Poeket, where the five dollar bill rested.
sas watched the action with piteous
ook In her poor eyes. l thought of my
IN sn ooy at homo, brave little lad, so
IKE his father. What IL this poor
Ag'aers case were my own?
afeW the bill from my pocket, and
gus u in her hand. With q cry Of JOY
.ue oarted after the officers, and only
,.1ing to see that her boy was re-
3ased' l hurried away.
Snsfiie grew worse that night, and ]
aa 70 summon the doctor early on the
,E Elfo": The doctor ordered fresh sup
E OF medicine, good nursing, and
~. @ oest OF nourishment. AIasi L had
~ : cent In the house. Over and over
H. sn, as | looked st Charles pale face,
bam.o o,d saying. ''Charity begins at
aome" Iecurred to me.
.o,, worked, every spare moment, at
i s ~ embroidery had procured; but
sn;.L ss nns and tedious; and when | had
E;aa Mined one piece, ] seemed TO be going
hsn But ] took il up TO Mrs. Dun.
nss5 who had employed me, for
e examined 1t critically, and ex-