The Worthington advance., 1879-01-02
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MA Story of New, Years Eve.

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! .,,.A Story OF New. Years Eve. =.
/ "1t is cold enough. too'freeze tthe, hear
! not of a miser and make the white bcai
] dance for joy,"' 'erumbled Tom 0rton, a.
The looked out Of the window on the SNOW ~
numbered streets elbow 1 wish I could
: be at home to: night and take care of 70,
and The babies Jenny. And / would
only for - =, {. 81:
: He thought of how much poverty was
pinching them, and would not saddeu
the hearts Of those he loved by mention.
ing it. '' J
"OnIy for what; Toma' asked his viii.
from the bed, where, i'll herself. she wa.
taking care of their two sick children.
:: "Only that they'll be: wanting me- b,
replied. "You know its New Years eve
and we've gotten up: an extra entertain
,ment." '''''
"Yes, Tom; and sorry day for US. new
|. that am SICK, and the children wanting
medicine and"-she would have said
"iood'''' but could not hear to add feath-
es' weight to his load-''so much do
pends upon you" = 49,
II KNOW be replied, hastily brushing
the moisture from his eyes and striving
to conceal his anxiety; "but am we'll an j
strong Jenny, aud the winter is nearly
over, and you'll be we'll again."
"But If anything should harpen to
you2" she questioned with heavy sigh
Don't think there is much danger" he
said, repressing asob as he thought of
how desperate would be their situation
of the rent due, the scanty store OF
provisions, the little Of ftuel remaining, the
more than q month OF hard winter yet
before them, the needs of family that
a poor man learns by the most bitter oil
experiences
But there is, dear Tom. No one is
ever safe living the life you do. There
are so many chances for accident"
Don't fear, III take care Of myself
wont run any extra risk; and As / have
nothing to do in the latter part, will be
home early"
He stepped to the bedside; drew the
covers more closely about his wife and
children, kissed them, put more coal in
the stove. attended to everything possi-
bic for their comfort, and prepared to
face the cold and 60 to lis nightly en-
ployment. Yet an uncommon spell
seem to cham him. He fingered, fdyet.
ed, glanced uneasily at the clock.
''lsnt it time you were of, Tom2'
questioned his wife. "You know it ia
quite late" =;
''Yes, Jenny. but somehow don't feel
like a'ing you alone.
''Oh, I am used 10 staying alone" 80
she was, poor thing! "And you said you
would be home carly"
Yes, yes"
An active, sober man was he, and a
skillfui performer. He had been trained
to the profession from childhood-knew
no ether, and under ordinary circum-
stances could easily keep his head above
water.' But the tentlng season had
closed exceptionally carly. the winter
was hard, money was ''tight," aud every
place of anu ement suffered in conse.
ounce. TO these things we're added sick.
ness, aud 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 streets,
through more pretentious ones-passcd
the bouses Of nillionaries, and entered
Broad wa:. That, at least, was brilliant
and gay, as if there was nothing of pov.
erty AMI human suffering in the world
as if nonc in the reat city were familiar
with hunger, and cold, and sickness
as If there never was to be any awaken
ing from golden dream Of luxury and
pleasure.
CAB :Loughtless wealth and fashion, >
he murmured, Bitterly, as he'saw fur clad
forms, and pampercd steeds, aud richly
mounted harness, and gilded sleighs
and costly robes dash along, "How much
ye will have to answer for in the day ol
!tiual reckoning, for neglec,ipg your poor
toiling, suffering brothers and sisters"
|! Suddenly 6 confused cry--a wild tu-
mult-the drawing away Of teams on
either side, CT dashing into cross streets
startled him. and he knew somethi g un.
usual was taking place. Then came the
shout .of RUNAWAY! runaway" and he
felt life or property. or both. were being
whirledt ION to destruction.
Gaze you mada Do you want to be
kllled?' hurrie'ly asked many, as they
ran to places Of safety and he remained
stansing 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 distance. His eyes were
fixed up the street upon team of noble
bays that we're tearing along, mad with
fright, and swaying the sleigh from side
to side-were, running at their utmost
speed, each striving to, outdo the other,
stTalning every nerve-were running
awav drlverless. Had that been all he
would not have troubled himself, deep as
was his affection for blooded steeds, for
he was not at the moment particularly in
sympathy with wealth. It was quite an
other matter that chained him.
At the first outcry he had sprang to
and climbed lamp post, and SO obtain
ed a clearer view-one that thrilled his
heart to the very core. caused his breath
to be more deeply drawn, and bis pulse
to momentar;lv cease to beat.
IN the sleigh was a young and beauti-
full wo,aap, pale with terror, and clasp.
ing two lovely children to her breast
Orton thought Of bis Jenny and. their
little ones, and resolved to save. The
impulse was noble bit how was it to be
accomplishe Il Far !eyond any human
control were the frantic horses. TO at.
tempt to seize the ,reins as they dashed
past, and to stop them, would be mad
ness-would be to be dragged down and
tra.npled to death. He saw this-saw
'bat the course of the horses would
briug them directly, upon him. and
though the crowd furiousiy warned hin
buck. and warned him OF his danger, ht
stirred not, only braced muscles and
nerves, and set bis teeth with determine
tioh.
"Mv Gcdr' exclaimed q man. who