Nebraska advertiser., 1877-02-01
THE DARK HOUR.

Cold, yes. But it's not much cold
er out than in. 1t would have beer
much better for you, if you had mar
ried John Tremsin,' be said bitterly.
Don't say that, Robert; I've never
regretted my choice
Not even when there is not loa
of bread IN the house for you and the
children q
Not even now, Robert. Don't be
discouraged. God has not forsakeu
us. Perhaps this Christmas Eve the
tide will turn better days may dawn
upon US to morrow
Rober RTlce shook his head des-
pondingly.
You are more hopeful than I, Jane.
Day after day / have been IN search
of employment. have called at
more than fifty places. only to receive
.tbe same answer everywhere
Just then. little Jimmy, who hsd
been asleep woke up.
Mother he pleaded. won't you
give me piece of bread? I'm 30 very
hungry
There Is DO bread. Jimmy, my dar-
ling,' said the affectionate 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-
ward the door. His wife, alarmed,
laid her hand upon his sleeve. She
saw the look in his eyes; she feared
TO what step desperation might lead
him. 'Remembee, Robert, she said
soleninly, it is hard to starve; but
there are things that are worse
He shook off her hand, but not
roughly, and without a word, passed
out.
Out In the cold streetsI There
would be their only home next. For
brief time longer, he had the shelter
of a cherries room In a cold lodging
house. but the rent would become
due at the end Of the month, ard he
bad nothing to meet it.
Robert Brice was q mechanic, COM
petent and skillful. Three years since
be 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 vainly hoped to do bet
ter. For awhile he met with very
good success but he found the lodg-
ing house in which be had to live a
poor substitute for the neat cottage he
bad occupied In the country. He saw
his mistake, but be was too proud to
go back, although itwas his wife's de-
sire that they should do SO.
But time of great depression came
and with il a suspension of business
enterprise. 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
ed of his neighbors till better times.
So, day by day be went oat to seek
work. only to return disappointed
If he had been alone, he could have
got or some way; but it was q sore
trial to come to the cherries room,
and bis pale wife and hungry child
oen. with no relief to offer them.
When on that Christmas Eve, Rob-
ert Brlce went into the streets, he
hardly knew how he was going to re-
deem the promise be had mode to tit
tie Jimmy. There was nothing that
he was likely to find to do, that night.
Il will pawn my coat he said. Il
cannot see my wife and children
starver
1t was a well-worn coat, and that
winter night he needed something
more to keep him warm. Weakened |
by enforced fasting, he was more sem
sitlve to the cold, and shivered as be
walked along the pavement.
'Yes,' he said, my coat must go. l
know not how shall get on without
It; but L cannot zee tas children |
Sfaryo haforo INV avoc
He was not, in general, an envious
man; but when he saw the sleek,
well-fed citizens. buttoned up to the
throat in warm overcoats, come out of
brilliantly lighted shops. provided
with presents foF happy children at
home. while his were starving, be
suffered some bitter thoughts upon
the inequality of Fortunes gifts to
come to his mind. Why should they
be so happy, while be was so misera-
BILE
There was a time, he remembered 1t
well, when he, too, suffered not the
Christmas Eve to pass without buy
ing some little gifts for Jimmy and
How little he dreamed that
they should ever want bread.
There was one man, shorter than
warmly clad. who passed
him. with his hands thrust deep in
he pockets of his overcoat. There
was a pleasant smile upon his face ,
ae was. doubtless. thinking of hap ,
" circle at home.
Robert knew him TO be a rich cabi-
,et-maker and upbolsterer, whose :
mple warehouse he often passed. He t
ad applied to this man only two days
efore for employment. and been re-
,sed. 1t was, perhaps. the thought 8
the wide difference between tnem' o
, far as outward circumstances Were' :
Rat Led Robert to follow him. :