Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-12-27

''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 Tremaine." he said. bitterly.
Don't say that. Robert; I've never
regretted my choice" !"
mot even when there is not loaf of
bread in the house for you and the chill
dren? ?"
''Not even now. Robert. Don't be
'sassevuraged 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 |, Jane
Day after day | have been in search of
employment. | 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 bread +? l am so hun
gry."
There is no bread, Jimmy, my dar-
ling !" said the mother, with an aching
heart.
when will there be some ?" 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 des-
peration 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.
Out in the cold streets There would
be their only home next. For a brief
time longer he had the shelter of a cheer
less room in cold lodging 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 skilful. Three years since, he
lived in country village where his e1-
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 vainly 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 60 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 Brict
and many others. If he had been il
his old home, he could have turned his
hand to something else, and, at tn,
worst, could have borrowed of his neigh
bors till better times.
So, day by day, he went out to seel
work, only to return disappointed. /
he had been alone he could have got OF
some way; but it was sore trial Il
come to the cheerless room and his palt
wife and hungry children, with no re
lief to offer them.
When on that Christmas eve Rober
Brice went into the streets, he hardl,
knew how he was going to redeem tn
promise he had made little Jimmy. H
was absolutely penniless, and had bee
SO for three days. There was nothin
that he was likely to find to do tina
! night.
IL will pawn my coat" he said. ''
cannot see my wife and children starve.
1t was q well-wOrn coat, and tina
winter night he needed something NOR
! TO keep him warm. Weakened by en-
forced fasting, he was more sensitive I
the cold. and shivered as he Wake
along the pavement
"Yes," he said, "my coat must 60.
, know not how shall get on without it
! but cannot see the children starve b
fore my eyes"
He was not in general an enviOr
!. man but when he saw the sleek, wei
. fed citizens. buttOned up to the thro;
e in warm oyercoats. come out Of brillian
e ly lighted shops. provided with present
for happy children at home while h
were starving, he suffered some bitt'
thoughts upon the inequality of fortune
Q gifts to come to his mind. Why shOul
I: they be so happy. while he was so mi
cradle?
, There was time, he remembered
A well. when he. too. suffered not d
I Christmas eve to pass without buyir
some little gifts for Jimmy and Agnt
e How little he dreamed that they shOu
! ever want bread
: There was one man. shorter than biz
n self. warmly clad. who passed him WI