Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-01-11
MY NEW YEAR.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

One solitlry fve-dollar bill, the last ot
Charles earnings, and Charlie himself
lying helpless and unconscious in the
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
CRY 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
to fall
al must have some wine for Charlie, :"
said at last, ''and few other things"
With these wo ds, kissed my poor suf-
ferer, and went out into the tempest.
| had gone but little distance when
a woman's voice arrested my attention,
in passionate and agonized entreaty.
paused an Instant to listen. Before the
door OF a small cottage, couple OF
officers stood, with slender lad betwe. Ii
them, and a rough, bruta!.lcoking man,
whom | recognized rs one Bronton, the
landlord OF the village inn. On her
head exposed to the storm, was the VIC
man who plea SO passi0nately.
"DJn't do it, SIR" she was saying;
"for Gods sake, don't! His father VIII
be home tomorrow, and he'll make it
all right; don't take my boy to prison"
She pat up her slender hands to ella =
the tavern keepers arm, but he shook
her Off with an oath.
IL won't wait, | tell you,' he cried;
"the young rascal stole my money, and
l want it back. Give me five dollars
and veil play quits'
81 haven't five dollars in the world"
she sobbed; "but ii you'll only wait, |
can raise it tor morrow"
"No, | won't wait, not another second
march on, officers; the young thief
shall sleep in jail this very night"
"Im no thief sir" cried the lad, his
face blazing. ''I didn't steal your money
and you know it,
''Sience! thundered the landlord.
"Do you dare TO call me liar? Officers,
will you 60 on?
had thought my own trouble incom.
parable. But here was something in.
ypitely wor.e. lmpelled by an impu Sc
of uncomfortable pity, l stepped to the
poor mothers side.
''What is it, my good woman?" |
asked.
She turned her poor, ag nized face
upon me, with flash of ger hope.
"Oh! they accuse r, ~ of stealing
madam" she crie-, and his father
who's been over seas for two years, will
he home tomorrow, and find his son il
jail, like common thief. 1t viii kill
him, aAd break my heart"
My hand went instinctively to m,
pocket, where the five dollar bill re,te d
She watched the action with piteou
look in her poor eyes. | thought OF m.
own boy at home, brave little lad, ST
like his father. What if this poo
mothers case were my own?
drew the bill from my pocket, ant
put it in her hand. With cry of jo,
she darted after the officers, and onl.
waiting to see that her boy was re
leased, hurried away.
Charlie grew worse that night, and
had to summon the doctor early on tn,
morrow. The doctor ordered fresh sup
plies OF medicine, good nursing, anC
the best of nourishment. Alas! | ha'
not a cent in the house. Over and owe
again, as looked at Charles pale face
the old saying, CHARITY begins a
home" recurred to me.
worked, every spare moment, a
some embroidery | had procured; bu
it was fine and tedious; and when | hao
finished one piece, | seemed to be goin!
blind. But | took it up to Mrs. Dun
ham, who had employed me, for
needed money.