The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-30
RS ago. Isn't it pretty? And look at

one, and scarlet for the other.
You did not make them?"
Yes, l did; out of scraps left of my
cloak, with the tops of those old French
boots of yours for soles. Am l not a
genius?"
go Bessie" and he hid his face.
And look at my dolls"
They were almost as good as " boughten
ones" in their gay dresses. She had
marked eyes, nose and mouth, giving
them pink cheeks and pretty substitute
| for hair
Little midgets, they will be wild with
delight"
90 Bessie! I was thinking of them
tonight. We were never so poor before.
Not even a penny to spend"
1T is hard! l shall never be convert
ed to the idea that rich people often ad
vance about poverty being the happiest
state of life, and poor people being free
from care. The sweet sleep of the
laborer is so often quoted, but l wonder
how many of them lie awake planning
how they can make one pound do the
work of two! But we have each other
and health, and faith in Heaven"
Bessie" he interrupted, chow much
does woman love? How much would
she forgive-endure?"
"To the end. All things, Joseph
poverty, trial, sacrifice ~
And shame, disgrace?"
She was clinging to him, trembling in
every pulse.
"Oh, not that" she cried. Better
the btterest poverty. 1t is my one great
comfort that you never did anything dis
honorable. | would rather be poor as
we are to-day than to think you had
wronged one living soul"
Yes, to be surem he responded
weakly, and with a forced laugh. "No
one can say that"
He could never tell her how easy the
villainy looked to him, how certain the
prosperity seemed at the end O Heaven!
he could not stay here, studied by her
clear eyes, kissed by her pure lips. Why,
1t would end by making an honest beg
gar of him!
You are not going out again, Joe,
darling"
Bessie, must-for little while. 1t
is business-something that may better
US a bit if should be successful"
"Joe-"
"There, sweet wife, Heaven knows
you are an angel! l won't be gone
long"
Somehow she had not the will to de-
tain him. She Crouched over the fire,
listened to the storm and prayed--it was
all she could do-for her dear one whose
heart and hands had always been kept
clean hitherto.
The storm was fierce enough. 1t chimed
IN with his desperate mood. In a month,
maybe, he would be an outsider, thief,
fugitive, skulkirg in darkness and
dread, a dishonored man. On in the
darkness! He must think it out now
decide.
Evening paper! o sir, please buy
paper"
There was lamp post at the corner,
and Joseph Yates caught the poor little
waif by his shoulder
You're the boy l met down in Pine
street," he exclaimed. Don't you know
you cannot sell papers this time of night
Run home out of the storm"
go sir. mother-she's starving! And
there's great windowful of things down
yonder that looks so good-so good
Why, the very smell of EMS feast.
can't steal, but, oh, won't some one give
me a few pennies?"
Here" he said; "let US try. We
will both beg. They are making ready
for a great feast. Come alongl"
He pulled him almost roughly by the
arm over the sleety steps, through the
open door, into the light, the warmth,
and the spicy fragrance
VIII you save poor, perishing soul
this night" he asked, addressing the
group. Is the love of Heaven within
you great enough to keep this child and
his mother from starying?"
They gathered around and the story
was soon told. A small sum was speed
lily gathered shillings-and the BOYS
JOY found vent in tears and thanks.
For, you see, I'm not used to selling
papers, nor matches, and the other bows
run me off. I'd do anything but steal"
Joseph Yates looked at the pitiful lit
tie mite. Not ragged, nor with the va
grant air of waits in general. Why,
what was there so oddly familiar about
VIZ law DOhlCNhClC udu pCCItu at
him with not quite the same look in the
eyes, but rousing him to some other SEN
timent than that of pity.
They walked out together and went to
a shop, where the boy displayed the
prudence of market-woman.
We've no fire." he said.
"pll carry some wood" said Yates.
The shop-keeper tied a stout string
around great bundle, and Yates shout
dered it. On they trudged, up an alley
finally, and TO a room on the ground floor,
clean, but poor and very scantily fur
nished.
80 mother, mother! I've brought you
something to eat, and wood to make a
fire, and this gentleman"
The child was sobbing on the bed, ut
tering broken sentences, and then laugh
ing Historically. Joseph Yates began to
build fire in a mechanical way, think
ing over his temptation, and whether
Heaven had saved him.
"Oh, how can ever thank you?" the
woman began presently.
DON'T" he said, huskily, 81 have
given nothing-nothing. am a beggar
myself, or perhaps worse"
You may be poor, but you have a
heart. And poor little Willis been
so hard for him If no had onIv one