The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-08-28
She IRtBURE.
THE DARK HOUR.

60 out and perhaps something VIII tuin
up for u.s."
Its a cold night, Robert"
"Cold, yes! But it's not much colder
out than in. 1t would have been much
better for you if you had married John
Tremain,' he said bitterly.
Don't say that Robert; l never re-
ereted my choice.
Not even when there is not a loaf OF
bread in the house for you and the chill
dren?''
mot even now, Robert. Don't be
discouraged God has rot forsaken us.
Perhaps this Christmas eve the tide VIII
turn !; letter days may dawn upon us to-
morrow
Robert Brice shook his head despond-
iLgiy.
ron are more hopeful than l, Jane.
Day after day [ have been in search OF
employment. l had 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, I'm SO hungry.
stThere is no bread, Jimmy, dar
limo ,, said the mother, with an aching
heart.
"When will there be some p asked
the child piteously.
Jimmy, I'll bring you some bread
said the father hoarsely, aud 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;
she feared to what step desperation
might lead him.
:. Remember, Robert, it is hard to
starYe, but there are things that are
worse. +"
He shook off her hand, but not rough
", and without word passed OUT
"Out in the cold streets There
would be their only home next. For
briet-time longer he had the shelter OF
cherries room in cold 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, compe-
tent and skillful. Three years since he
lived in a country village where his ex-
- penses were moderate, and he found no
difficulty in meeting them. But in an
evil hour he grew tired of his village
home and removed to the city. Here he
yaiply hoped to do better. For while
he met with very good success, but he
found the tenement house in which he
had to live a poor substitute for the neat
cottage he had occupied in the country.
He saw his mistake, but was too proud
to 60 back,
"Of course I can't have as good ac-
commodations here as in the country,
he said, but it is something to live In
and be in the midst of things
"I'd rather be back again, " said his
wife, somehow the city doesn't seem
like home, there I used to run in and take
tea with the neighbors, and have pleas
ant, social time, here I scarcely know
anybody"
"You'll get used to it in time" said
her husband.
She did not ihinA SO but did not like
to complain.
But time Of great depression came,
and with it suspension of business en-
terprises. Work ceased for Robert Brice
and many others II he had been in his
old home he could have turned his hand
to something else. and at the worst, could
have borrowed of his neighbors till bet
ter times. But the friendly relations
arising from neighborhoods do not exist
In the city to the same extent as in the
country. So day by day he went out to
seek work, only to find himself one of a
large number, all of whom were doomed
to disappointment. If he had been alone
he could have got along somehow. but it
was sore trial to come to the cherries
room and his pale wife and his hungry
Chi dren, with no relief to offer them.
When on that Christmas eve, Robert
Brice went into the streets, he hardly
knew how he was going to redeem his
promise he made little Jimmy. He was
absolutely penniless and had been So for
three days. There was nothing that he
was likely to find to do that night.
6 will pawn my coat" lie said, 81
cannot see my vie and children starve."
1t was well worn overcoat, and that
winter night he needed something more
70 keep him warm. Weakened by enforc-
ed tasting, he was more sensitive to the
cold, and shivered as he walked along the
pavement.
"Yes, my coat must go. do not know
how shall get along without it, but
cannot see the children starve before my
eyes,
He was not in general an envious man,
but when he saw slick, weli-fed citizens,
buttoned up to the throat in warm over
coats, come out of brilliantly lighted
shops. provided with presents for happy
children at home, while his were starving
he suffered some bitter thoughts upon the
inequality of fortunes gifts, to come to
his mind.
Why should they be SO happy, while
he was so miserable
There was a time. he remembered it
well, when he too suffered not the Christ
mas eve to pass without buying some lit
tie gifts for Jimmy and Agnes. How
little he dreamed then that they should
ever want bread.
There was one man, shorter than him
self, warmly clad, who passed him with |
his hands thrust deep in the pockets of |
his overcoat. There was pleasant smile |
upon his fare Ho was doubtless think |
ing of happy circle at home.