Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-12-04
THE DARK HOUR,
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

81 can't stand it any longer, Jane
I'll go out, and perhaps something will
turn up for us. J."
Its cold night, Robert"
"Cold, yes. But it's not much cold
er 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; I've never
regretted my choice" ..a
"Not even when there is not a loaf OF
bread in the house for you and the chill
dren 2" .E.f ......
Not even now, Robert. Don't be
discouraged. God has not forsaken us.
Perhaps this Christmas eve the tide will
turn; better days may dawn upon us to-
morrow"
Robert Brice shook his head despond-
ingly. .,
You are more hopeful than I, Jane.
DAY after day 1 have been in search of
employment. 1 have called at fifty
places, only to receive the same answer
everywhere. -
Just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
Mother, he pleaded, "won't you
give me piece of bread2 I am SO hun
cry"
There is no bread, Jimmy, my dar-
ling !" said the mother, with an aching
heart.
When will there be some 2" asked
the little child, piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to do. .#
Jimmy, I'll bring you some bread, "
said the father, hoarsely.
And 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 desper-
alton might lead him. .-..,
Remember, Robert" she said, SOL
emnly, " it is hard to starve; but there
are things that are worse.''
He shook off her hand, but not rough
ly, and, without word, passed out.
Ont in the cold streets There would
be their only home next. For brief
time longer he had the shelter of a
oheerless room in cold lodging house,
but the rent would become due at the
end OF the month, and he had nothing
to meet it, a-N--' - --- - -~
Robert Brice was mechanic, COM
petent and skillful. three years since,
he lived in country village where his
expenses 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 valnly hoped to do better. For a
while he met with very good success;
but he found the lodging house in which
he had to live poor substitute for the
neat cottage he occupied in the country.
He saw his mistake, but was too proud to
go back, although it was his wife's desire
they should do SO.
But time Of great depression came,
and with it a suspension of Business en-
terprise. Work ceased for Robert Brice
and many others. If he had been in his
old home, he could have turned his
hand to something else, and, at the
worst, could have borrow d of his neigh
bors till better times.
So day by day he went out to seek
work, only to return disappointed. Il
he had been alone he could have got on
some way; but it was a sore trial to come
to the cheerless room and his pale wife
and hungry children, with no relief tc
offer them, u-Ea..
Wien on that Christmas eve Robert
Brice went into the streets, he hardly
knew how he was going to redeem the
promise he had made little Jimmy. He
was absolutely penniless, and had beer
80 for three days. There was nothing
that he was likely to find to do thai
night.
+" L will pawn my coat" he said. "]
cannot see my wife and childrsn starve. ,