Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-12-25
@TRANsIENT BILLs-cAsH.
not see my wife and children starve.@

hun warm. w Meakeneu py enIOrceu tasting.
he was more sensitive to the cold. and shiy-
cred as be walked along the pavement.
EYES," he said, "my coat must go.
know not how shall get on without il; but
cannot see the children starve before my
eyes,"
He was not in general an envious man
but when he saw the sleek, well.fed citizens,
buttoned up to the throat in warm oyercoats.
come out of brilliantly lighted shops, pros
vided with presents for happy children at
home while his we're starving, he suffered
some bitter thoughts upon the inequality of
fortunes gifts to come to his smind. Why
should they be SO happy, while he was so
miserable FaF ahF4
There was time, he remembered It well,
when he, too, suffered not the Christmas eve
to pass without buying some little gifts for
jimmy and Agnes. How little he dreamed
that they should ever waat bread
There was one man, shorter than himself.
warmly clad, who passed him with lis hands
thrust deep in the pockets OF his overcoat.
There was a pleasant smile upon lis face.
He was, doubtless, thinking of the happy
circle at home. I
Robert knew him to be q rich cabinet
maker and upholsterer, whose ample wares
house he often passed. He had applied to
this man only two days before for employ-
ment, aud had been refused. It was, per-
hsps, the thought Of the wide difference be-
tween them, so far as outward circumstances
were, that led Robert to follow him.
After a while the trsdesman. Mr.. Grimes.
drew his handkerchief from his pocket As
he did so, he did not perceive that his poe>
ketbook came with 1t, aud fell on the pave>
ment. He did not perceive it, but Robert
did. His heart leaped into his mouth, and
| a sudden thought entered his mind. He
bent quickly down and picked up the pocket
| book He raised his eyes to see If the
| movement was noticed. 1t was not Mr..
! Grimes went on, unheejisg his loss
This will buy bread for my wife and
children" thought Robert, instantly.
A vision of the comfort which the money
would bring that cherries room lighted up
his heart for an instant, but then-for 10
was not dishonest-there came another
thought The money was not his, much rs
he wanted it.
But cannot see my wife and children
stsrve," he thought again. "If it is wrong
to keep the money, God will pardon the Of
Tense lie will understand my motive"
All this was sophstry, and he knew il.
In moment he felt il to be so There
were some things worse than starvation. 10
was his wife who said this just before no
came out Could he meet her gaze when he
returned with food so obtained?
"I've lived honest so far" he thought
81 won't turn thief now"
1t was with IN effort he came to this de-
cision, for all the while there was before his
ewes that vision of cherries home, and he
could hear Jimmy vainly asking for food IL
was with an effort tina, he stepped forward
and placed his hand on the tradesman's
shoulder, and extended the hand that held
the pocket-book:
"ThsDk you" snid Mr.. Grimes, turning
around 'I hadn't perceived my loss. am
much obliged to you"
"You have reason to be" said Robert, in
q low voice. al was very near keeping it"
THAT would have been dishonest" said
Mr. Grimes, his tone altering slightly.
Yes, it would but it is hard to be hon-
est when one is penniless, and his wife and
children without a crust"
"Surely you and your children are not in
that condition 2" said the tradesman earnestly.
Yes" said Robert, sit is only too true.
For two months / have vaiuly tried, sought
for work. applied to you two days since"
Il remember you now. / thought had
seen you before. You still want work."
II should feel grateful for it,"
"My foreman left me yesterday. Will
you take his place at twenty Eve dollars .
week 2"
Thankfully, sir; would for half that"
.'Then come Tomorrow morning, OF rath-
er, as tomorrow will be holiday, the day
succeeding. Meantime take this for your
present necessities"
He drew from his pocket some notes, and
handed them TO Robert
'sWhy, you have given me thirty dollars y
said Robert, in amaZemebt.
81 know it, The pocket-book contained
FIVE thousand dollars. But for you, should
have lost the whole. wish you . merry
Christmas"
at will indeed be q merry Christmas"
said Robert, with emotion. "Heaven bless
you sir! Good. night"
GOOD night" f
Jennie waited for her husband in tho
cold and cherries room, which for few
days longer she might call her home. An
hour passed there was . step-on the stairs
her hush ,nd's. Il could not be, for this
was q cheerful, elastic step, coming up two
steps at time She looked eagerly to the
door. Yes, it was he. The door opened.
Robert, radiant with joy, entered with
basket full of substantial provisions.
"Have yen got some bread, father 7"
asked Jimmy. hopefully.
"Yes, Jimmy, come bread and meat from
cooks shop and here's little tea and su-
gar. There's few Goals left. Let's have .
bright ERE and comfortable meal, for, please
God. this shall be merry Christmss."
How did it happen? Tell me, Robert"
So Robert told his wife and soon bright
fire lit up the before cheerless room. and
there were four happy hearts that waited 10
joyful hope for the dawn of "merry Christ
mas day"
The next week they moved to better rooms.