The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1875-03-04
MY NEW YEAR.


Charley's earnings, and Charley himself
lying helpless and unconscious in the little
bedroom his right arm and shoulder
shattered by that dreadful fall
In the trundle-bed beside him three
little curly heads, and three pair of chub-
by, restless feet all sadly in need of shoes
and stockings, and three hungry little
mouths that must have bread and butter,
and coal in the bin, and little food in the
house.
The wintry dusk was fast deepening
into darkness and snow w.s beginning to
fall.
II must have some wine for Charley"
| said at last, "and few other things"
With these words [ kissed my poor suf-
ferer, and went out into the tempest
had gone but short distance when
woman's voice arrested my attention, in
passionate and agonizing entreaty.
l paused a moment to listen. Before
the door of couple of officers stood, with
slender lad between them, and rough,
brutal looking man, whom recognized
as one Bronton, the landlord of the vii
lage inn. On her knees before him, with
her uncovered head exposed to the storm,
was the woman who pleaded so passion
ately.
"Dont do it, sir," she was saying, "for
Gods sake don't! His father will be
home tomorrow and he will make it all
right; don't take my boy to prison"
She put up her slender hands to clasp
the tavern keepers arm, but he shook
her off with an oath.
II won't wait, l tell you," he cried;
''the young rascal stole my money, and l
want it back. Give me five dollars and
we'll play quits"
Il have not five dollars in the world"
she sobbed, 'but if you will only wait, /
can raise it tomorrow"
"No, | won't wait another second
march on officers; the young thief shall
sleep in Jail this very night"
"Tm no thief, sir" cried the lad, his
face all ablaze II did not steal your
money, and you know ii"
aSilence II thundered the landlord, show
dare you call me liar? Officers, will you
go on?"
I had thought my own trouble incom-
parable; but here was something inf
nitely worse. Impelled by an impulse of
uncomfortable pity, stepped to the poor
woman's side and said:
"What is it, good woman?'
"Oh! they accuse my boy of stealing,
madam, she cried, "and his father, who
has been over the seas for two years, will
be home tomorrow and find his son in
jail like common thief. 1t would kill
him and break my heart"
My hand went instinctively to my pock-
ct, where the five dollar bill rested She
watched the action with piteous look in
her poor eyes. / thought of my own boy
at home little brave lad, so like his faith
er. Whatif if this poor woman's case was
my own.
l drew the bill from my pocket, and
put it in her hand With cry. of joy,
she darted after the officers, and only
waiting to see the boy rescued, | hurried
away.
Charley grew worse that night, and |
had to summon the doctor early On the
morrow He ordered fresh supplies of
medicine, good nursing, and the best Of
nourishment Alas, had not cent in
the house. Over and over again the old
saying, "Charity begins at home," recur-
red to me, as 1 looked at Charley's pale
face.
| worked every spare moment at some
embroidery / had procured; but it was
fine and tedious: and when 1 had finish
ed one piece, seemed to be going blind
l took it up to Mrs Durham, who had
employed me, for needed the money.
She examined it critically, and express
ed herself only tolerably well pleased, and
then, settling back on her warm cushions,
she remarked that she would pay me
whsn | had finished ALL
l ventured remonstrance, but she cut
me short at once "She had no change"
she said and, moreover, it was one of her
rules never to pay for part of job"
| hurried back to Charley with an ach-
ing heart, and found him moaning with
pain, the hour for his medicine was past,
and the prescription in my pocket. In
desperation, / rushed to the bureau and
drew out my quaint little jewel case. 1t
contained some trihing articles broach
that belonged to my mother, and few
other trinkets. / selected two, and hur-
ried out again, down the snowy street, to
the jewelry store of which the little sea-
side village boasted 1t was hard task
to prevail on the dealer to purchase my
little trinkets, and when at last he consent
ed, he offered me few paltry shillings,
which l was forced to accept
Charley's medicine was purchased but
the few dimes that were left were barely
sufficient to obtain small modicum of
coal for the morrow; and where was the
chicken for Charley's broth coming from.
/ paused in the snowy street, with the
glittering stars above my head, and the
brilliant show windows Haunting on each
side. just then merry chime of bells
clashed upon the frosty air, and for the
first time [ remembered that it was New
Years Eve.
A pain sharp as death pierced my heart
as l stood there thinking of my far away
friends, and wondering what l should do.
A grocer's shop, brilliantly lighted, stood
just across the street. i flew over the
slippery fag-stoncs, and entered. The
grocer hurried forward, all smiles and
bows.