The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-11-07
M is C ELAN eOus.
THE DARK NIGHT.

out, and perhaps something will turn up
for us"
cts cold night Robert"
"Cold, yes! But it's not much colder
outside than in. 1t would have been much
better if you had married John Tremain,"
he said bitterly"
Don't say that Robert, I've never re.
GREETED my choice"
"Not even now, when there is not loaf
of bread in the house for you and the chill
dren 2"
"Not even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couraged. God has not f1rsGken us. Per-
haps this evening the tide will turn, and
better days may dawn upon us, tomorrow"
Robert Brice shook his head despond-
ingly.
"You are more hopeful than l, Jane
Day after day | have been in search Of en-
ployment. | 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
piece of bread, am so hungry"
"There is no bread, Jimmy darling" said
the mother with an aching heart.
"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 yousome bread, " said
the father hoarsely, as 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 desperation
might lead him.
"Remember, Robert" she said, solemn
ly, "it's hard to starve, but there are things
that are worse"
He shook off her hand, but not rough
ly, and without word passed out.
Out in the cold streets They would be
his only home next, he thought. For Il
brief time longer he had the shelter of a
cherries room in 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 skillful. Three years since he lived in
Il country village, where his expenses were
moderate, and he found no difficulty in
meeting them. But in an evil hour he grew
tired OF bis village home, and he moved to
the city. For while he met with very
good success, but he found the tenement
house in which he lived poor substitute
cupied in the country. He saw his mis-
take, but was too proud to go back.
"Of course | can't have as good accom-
modations here as in the country" he said,
"but it is something to liycin and be in
the midst of things"
"I'd rather be back again." said his wife
"Somehow the city does not seem like home.
There used to run in and take tea with q
neighbor, and have a pleasant social time.
Here l scarcely know anybody"
you'll get used to it after awhile said
her husband.
She did notthink so, but she did not
complain.
But the time of great depression came
and with it a suspension of business enter
prises. Work ceased for Robert Brice and
many others. If he had been in his old home
he could have turned his hand at some
thing else, and at the worst could have Dor
rowed from his neighbors till better times
But the friendly relations arising from
neighborhood do not exist in the city to
the same extent as in the county. So, day
by day, he saw his scanty sum of money
passing away, and no one extended II help
ing hand. Day by day he went out to do
work, only to find himself one of a large
number, all of whom were doomed to dis
appointment. If he had been alone he
could have got along somehow, but it was
q sore trial to come to cherries room, and
a pale wife and hungry children, and no re-
liefto offer.
When on that evening Robert Brce went
into the street, he hardly knew how he was
going to redeem the promise he had made
to little Jimmy. He was absolutely pen
niless, and had been so for three days
There was nothing he was likely to find to
do that night.
81 will pawn my coat he said at last ;
81 cannot see my wife and children all
starve."
- 1t was Il well-worn overcoat, and that
cold winter he needed something more to
keep him warm. Weakened by the enforced
fast he was more sensitive to the cold, and
shlvered as he walked along the payment
EYES," he said, "my coat must 90. |
know not how l shall get along without it,
but can't see the children starve before
my eyes,"
He was not in general an ,nvious man,
but when he saw sleek, well-fed citizens,
buttoncd up to the throat in warm over
coats, come out of the brilliantly lighted
shops, provided with luxuries for happy
children at home, while his were starving,
he suffered some bitter thoughts upon the