The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-02-05
THE VISIT OF AN ANGEL.

at was cold enough to freeze the
heart out of q miser and make the
white hear dance for joy" grumbled
Tom Orion. as he looked out the win
dow upon the SNOW numbered streets.
"How wish | could stay at home to-
night aud take care of you and the
babies. Jenny. And | would only
for"
He thought of how much poverty
was pinching them. and would MT
sadden the hearts IF 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 Christ
man Eve, and we have gotten up an
extra entertainment"
"Yes, Tom, and sorry day for Us,
now that / am sick, and the children
wanting medicine and" hut she could
not bear to add feathers weight to
his load-"and so much depends upon
YOU"
81 know" he replied. hastily brush
ing 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 will all
he well again."
"But if anything should happen ia
you?" she questioned. with a heavy
sigh.
Don't think there is much danger.
he said. REFRESHING sob rs he thought
Of how desperate would he their sit
nation-of the rent due. the scanty
store Of provisions, the little of fuel
remaining. the more than month oi
hard winter vet before them, the needs
Of family that poor man learns by
the most bitter of experience.
but there is. dear Tom. No one
is ever safe living the life YOU do.
Thee are so many chances for acct
dent"
"Don't fear. I'll take care of myself
won't run anv extra risk. and rs |
have nothing to do in the latter part.
will be home earlv."
He stepped to the bedside. drew the
cover more closely abont his wife and
children. kissed them. put the coal in
the stove though q, erv lump was as a
golden ducat to Shyl"ck in his then
situation, attended to everything
possible for their comfort and prepared
to face the cold and go to his nightly
employment. Yet an uncommon spell!
seemed to chain him. He fingered.
fdgeted. glanced uneasily at the clock
isn't it time YOU were of. Tom p
questioned his wife. "You know it is
quite a walk"
Eyes. Jenny. but somehow l don't
feel like leaving you alone"
30! | am used to staying alone. "
So she was. poor thing! "And you
said YOU wonld he home early.
"Yes. YES"
An active, sober man was he. and a
skilled performer. He had been train
ed to the profession from Childhood
knew no other. and under ordinary
circumstances could easily ''keep his
head above water" But the "tenting
season" had closed exceptionally early.
the winter was hard. money was tight.
and every place Of amusement suffered
in const quenoe. To these things were
added sickness. and brave-hearted as
he was he could not suppress shiver
of anxiety as the future stared him in
the face.
He passed along the narrow street.
through more pretentious Ones-oass-
ed the houses Of millionaires. and en-
tered Broadway, that. at least. was
brilliant and gay, as if there was
nothing of poverty or human suffering
in the world-as If none in the great
CITY were familiar with hunger and
cold and sickness-as If there never
was to be any awakening from a
golden dream Of luxury end pleasure.
"Ah! thoughtless wealth and
fashion," he murmured bitterly, as he
saw fur-clad forms. AID pampered
steeds. aud richly-moun.ed harness,
and gilded sleighs. and costly robes
dash along, '.how much We will have
to answer for in the day of final reckon
ing. for neglecting your poor. toiling,
suffering brothers and sisters"
But no time had he to linger-the
clock in the window told him that.
and with a sigh that his wife and
little ones should not have their quota
Of the good things of this world. he
passed. on.
Suddenly a confused cry-a wild
tumult-the drawing away Of teams
upon either side, or dashing into cross
streets-start.ed him and he knew
unusual was taking place.
Then came the shout Of RUNAWAY!
run away" and he felt that life or
or both were being whIrled
on to destruction.
"Are you mad? Do you want to he
killed." hurriedly asked many, a
they ran to places of safety, and he
standing upon the curb
stone.
He gave no heed to the warning.
He had braved death far too often to
shrink from it in any event, and most
certainly when at such q distance.
His eyes were fixed up the street upon
a team Of Noble bays that were tearing
along. mad with fright. and surging
the sleigh from side to side
at their utm"st speed. each
striving to Guido the other. straining
every nerve-were running away
Had that been all he
would not have troubled himself, deep
as was his affection for blO0ded steeds,
for he was not at the moment
mn rt;cula rlv in svmnnshv with wosleh