Smyrna times., 1878-08-14
The Visit Of an Angle.

1t is cold enough to freeze the heart
out of miser and make the white bear
dance for ioy," grumbled Tom Orton, as he
looked out of the window upon the snow
numbered streets. How wish l could
stay at home tonight and take care of you
and the babies, Jenny. And [ would only
for"
He thought of how much poverty was
pinching them, and would not sadden the
hearts of those he loved by mentioning it.
"Only for what, Tom?' asked his wife
from the bed, where, i'll herself, she was
taking care of their two sick children.
"Only that they'll be wanting me" he
replied. "You know it is Christmas Eve,
and we've gotten up an extra entertain
ment."
ayes, Tom, and a sorry day for us, now
that l am sick, and the children wanting
medicine and" but she could not bear to
add feathers weight to his load-"and so
much depends upon you."
| 81 know" he replied, hastily brushing
the moisture from his eyes and striving to
conceal his anxiety; "but am well and
strong, Jenny, and the winter is nearly over
and you'll all be we'll again"
But if anything should happen to
your" she questioned, with heavy sigh.
"Don't think there is much danger" he
said, repressing sob as he thought Of how
desperate would be their situation-of the
rent due, the scanty store of provisions, the
little of fuel remaining, the more than a
month of hard winter yet before them, the
needs of family that poor man learns
by most bitter experience.
"But there is, dear Tom. No one il
ever safe living the life you do. There are
SO many chances for an accident"
"Dont fear, I'll take care of myself
won't run any extra risk, and as | hav
nothing to do in the latter part, will b
home early"
He stepped to the bedside, drew tn
cover more closely about his wife ant
children, kissed them, put the coal in tn
stove, though every lump was as goldel
ducat to q Shylock in his situation, al
tended to everything possible for thei
comfort and prepared to face the cold an
90 to his nightly employment. Yet an III
common spell seemed to chain him. II
fingered, fdgeted, and glanced uneasily {
the clock.
"Isn't it time you were off, Tom
questioned his wife. "You know it
quite a walk"
"Yes, Jenny, but somehow don't fe
\ like leaving you aione."
"Ohl am used to staying alone"
So she was, poor thing "And you sal
you would be home early"
.t ayes, yes"
1r An active, sober man was he and SKI
K led performer. He had been trained
y. the profession from childhood-knew I
other, and under ordinary circumstanc
could easily "keep his head above water
But the "tenting season" had closed e
+, ceptionalIy early, the winter was har
money was "tighta, and every place
amusement suffere5p in consequence.
these things were added sickness, al
braye.hearted as he was he could not su
press a shiyer of anxiety as the futu
stared him in the face:
He passed along the narrow sire
through more pretentious ones-passed t
houses Of millionaires, and entered Broa
way, that, at least, was brilliant and COY
- if there was nothing of poverty or hum
!" suffering in the world-as if none in
great city were familiar with hunger
cold and sickness-as if there never was
,ts be any awakening from golden dream
luxury and pleasure.
"Ah thoughtless wealth and fashiol
he murmured, bitterly, as he saw fur-c
forms, and pampered steeds, and rich
en. mounted harness, and gilded sleighs, 0
costly robes dash along, show much
will have to answer for in the day of ii
JUs reckoning, for neglecting your poor, TOLL
suffering brothers and sisters"
But he had no time to linger-the eli
a. in the window told that, and, with $
that his wife and little ones should