Nebraska advertiser., 1877-02-01
After awhile the tradesman. Mr.

After awhile the tFadesman, Mr.
Grimes, drev. his handkerchief from
his pocket. AS he did so. he did uOt
perceive that his pocket-book came
with 1t, and fell on the pavement. He
did not perceive it. but Robert did,
His heart leaped to his mouth, and {
sudden thought entered his mind. HI
bent quickly down and picked up th'
pocket-book. He raised his eyes, tC
see If the movement was noticed. 1
was not. Mr.. Grimes went on, IN
needing his loss.
This will buy bread for my wifi
and children thought Robert, I'm
stantly.
A vision of the comfort which the
money would bring that cherries
room, lighted up bis heart for an in
slant, but then-for he was not dis
honest-there came another thought
The money was not his, much as be
wanted il.
But / cannot see my wife and chill
dren starve,' he thought again. IF il
is wrong to keep the money, God will
pardon the offense. He will under
stand my motive
All this was sophistry, and be knew
II. In moment he felt 1t to be go
There were some things worse than
starvation. 1t was his wife who said
that, just before he came out. Gould
he meet her gaze, when be returned
with food 80 obtained?
I've lived honest so far he thought
L won't turn thief now
1t was with an effort he came to
this decision, for there was before
his eyes that vision of a cherries
home, and he could hear Jim my vain.
ly asking for food. 1t was with an eff
fort that he stepped forward and plac-
ed his hand upon the tradesman' S
shoulder. and extended the hand that
held the pocket-book.
Thank you,' said Mr.. Grimes, tur-
ming round L hadn't perceived my
lose. am much obliged to you.r;
You have reason to be- said Rob-
ert, in low tone. I was very near
keeping your money
That would have been dishonest,
said Mr.. Grimes, his tone altering
very perceptibly.
Yes. 1t would but It Is hard to be
honest when one is penniless, and his
wife and children without a crust
Surely you and your children are
not in that Condition q said the
tradesman, earnestly.
Yes said Robert, 1T is only too
true. For two months 1 have vainly
sought for work. ] applied to you,
two days since, for employment
4 remember you now. l thought 1
had seen you before. You are still in
want of work p
Il should feel grateful for it,
My foreman left me yesterday
Will you take his place for twenty
five dollars week p
Thankfully, sir; 1 would for half
that amountu
Then, come tomorrow morning.
or, rather, as tomorrow will be a hol-
iday. the day succeeding. Meantime
take this for your present necessities
He drew from his pocket some notes
and handed them to Robert.
why, you have given ME thirty
dollars J! said Robert astonished.
Il know it. The pocket-book con-
taihed five thousand dollars. But for
you | should have lost the whole.
wish you a merry Christmas
1T will, indeed. be merry Christ
mas said Robert, with emotion
Heaven bless you sir! Goodnight.
'Good-night'
Jane waited for her husband in the
cold and cherries room, which for a
few days longer she might call her
home. An hour passed; there was a
step on the stairs-her husbands? It
could not be, for this was a cheerful,
elastic step, coming up two stairs at
time. She looked eagerly to the door.
Yes, It was he. The door opened
Robert, radiant with joy, entered with
a basket full of substantial provisions.
Have you got some bread, father 2,
asked Jimmy. hopefully.
Yes, Jimmy, some bread and meat
from cooks shop; and here's lit
tie tea and sugar. There's a few Goals
left. Let's have bright fire and a
comfortable meal, for. please God, this
shall be merry Christmas
How did 1t happen? Tell me, dear
Robert
So Robert told his wife; and soon q
bright fire lit up the before cherries
room, and thers were four happy
hearts that waited in joyful hope for
the dawn of a Merry Christmas Day.
The next week they moved to bet
ter rooms. They have never since
known what it Is to want. Robert
found a firm friend In Mr.. Grimes,
and has en- account I'm the savings
bank, and has reason to remember,
with a grateful heart, Gods goodness
OIL that Christmas Eve.
The Vote of the States,