Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-11-20
stances went, thst led Robert Bnce

TO follow him.
After q while the merchant, Mr..
Grimes drew his hsndkerc hief slowly
FROM bis pocket. And he did not
perceive that bis pocket book came
With it and fell to the sidewalk.
He did not perceive it but Robert
did: his heart lesped into his mouth,
and q sudden thought entered his
mind. He bent quickly down and
picked up the pocket-book He
raised his eyes hastily to see If the
movement was noticed. twas not.
The merchant went en- unheedlng
bis loss.
This will buy bread for my wife
and children thought Robert in-
stsntly.
\ vision of the comfort which the
ID other would bring that cherries
room lighted up his heart for su IN
stsnt, but then. for be was not dis
hooest, there came another thought;
the money was not his, much as he
wanted it.
"But cannot see my wife and
children starve," he thought again.
"If it is very wrong to Keep this
money, God will understand ~y mo-
tive"
All ,bls was sophistry, and no
knew it. In moment be knew 1t
to be so. There was something worse
than starvation. 1t was bis wife that
had said that just before he haO come
out. Could he meet her gaze when
he returned with food so obtained?
1--WE lived honest 80 far he
thought; | wou't turn thief now
1t was with an effort he came to
this decision; for ell the while there
was before his eyes that vision OF a
cbeerless home, aud be could hear
Jimmy v,inly asking for food. Ii
was with pn effort that he stepped
forward aud placed bis hand on the
merchants shoulder, and extended
the hand that held tho pockeI-book.
Sir he said hoarsely, you have
dopped your pocket-boOk."
Thank you" said the merchant,
turning around VI hadn't perceiy-
ed my loss
"You dropped 1t when you took
out your pocket-haadkerchlef."
"And you saw it aud picked it up.
sm very much Obliged to YOU
You have reason to be-" said
Robert in low voice. Il came very
near keeping it"
"That would have been dishonest
said Mr.. Grimes, his tone slightly
altering.
"Yes, it would be, but it's bard
for q man TO be honest when he Is
pcnDiless, and his wife aud children
without crust Of bread"
Surely, YOU and your family are
q OF 10 that condition. said the mer-
chant earnestly.
"Yes. it is oDly too true"
"And are you out Of work?'
"For two months | have vsinIy
sough. for work. | sppiied to you
two days since
Il rem, mber you COW; / thought
| had seen your face before. You
still want workP
IL should feel grateful for it,"
"a porter LETT me yesterday. viii
you take his place al sl2 week"
Thankfully, sir; | will worA for
Then come tomorrow morning,
or rather. az tomorrow will be holi-
day, the day succeeding Meantime
take this for present necessities"
lie drew from bis pockets bank
note. and put it 10 Roberts hand.
Its $50" said Robert, amszed.
"Iknow it This pOcset-book con.
tains 81 900. But for you, | would
have lost the whole
"God bless you, sir; good night"
said Robert.
Good night
Jane waited for her husband, ia
the cold aud cheerless room, which.
for few days longer, she might call
ber own bowe
"Do you ,bInk father will bring
soue bread asked htlle Jimmy as
be ncsiled in her lap.
| hope SO, darliug, she said; but
her heart rnisgaye her. She feared
il Was delusive hope.
An hour passed, there va step
on the stairs, her husb.Gd' it could
oot be, for this vas a cheerful, els'-
tic step. comniiug up Two steps at
time. She looked eagerly al the door.
Yes it vas be. The door opened.
Robert, radiant with joy, entered
with a bsskeiful Of substantial PFC
visions.
"uive you got somo bread, iather!
asked jimmy hopefully.
"Yes, Jlmuy, sOme bread aud meat
from a restaurant. sGd here's little
ten ana sugar There's II,rIe wood
left. Jane Lets have bright and
comfortable night
How did il hsppeD? Tell LIE,
Robert"
so Roberta tod his wife, and soon
bright fire Lighted up the beIOre
cherries room.
The next week they moved 10
better home. They have never slprs
known what it Is to want, Robert
found q 6Tln friend IN the Savings
Bank, and has reason - remrmOer
With y grateful besrt. Coos eooduess
on the eve Of temptation.
Book KEEPIsG BY DOUBLE ENTRY.
MIR. Minus. 10 lis history Of SIer-