The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-05-21

S011eR 1Ox inc AEO1C8I mere IL CONTEST
Burlington Hoso8-Eta. -'
AN ANGRL'S VISIT. ii
By WILLIAM n. BusHNEl1- Il
1T is cold enough to freeze the heart
out of q miser and make the white bear
dance for joy," grumbled Tom Orion, a.
he looked out of the window upon the
snow-covered streets. "How I wish !
could stay at home tonight and take
care of you and the babies, Jenny. And
I would only for" =. I'd 49,.
He thought of how much poverty
va pinching them, and would not sad
den the hearts Of those he loved by
mentioning it. ..
"On1y 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 en-
tertainment." l.
Eyes, Tom, and sorry day for US,
now that I am sick, and the children
wanting medicine and" she would
have said "food," but could not bear to
add feathers weight to his load" and
80 much depends upon you"
II know" he replied, hastily BRUSH
ing the moisture from his eyes and
striving to conceal his anxiety; "but I
am well and strong, Jenny, and the
winter is nearly over and you'll all be
well again" a..
"But if anything should happen to
you?" she questioned, with heavy sigh.
@Don't think there is much danger"
he said, depressing sob as he thought
of how desperate would be their situa-
tion-of the rent due, the scanty store
of provisions, the little of fuel remain
ing, the more-than month of hard win
ter yet before them, the needs of a
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. There
are 50 many chances for accident"
"Dont fear, I'll take care of myself
won't run any extra risk, and, as I
have nothing to do in the latter part,
will be home early" ,l.u.
He stepped to the bedside, drew the
cover more closely about his wife and
children, kissed them, put more coal in
the stove, though every lump was as a
golden ducat to Shylock in his then
situation, attended to everything posi-
BILE for their comfort, and prepared to
face the cold and 60 to his nightly EN-.
ployment. Yet an uncommon spell
seemed to chain him. He fingered,
fdgeted, glanced uneasily at the clock.
Isn't it time you we're of, Tom ~
questioned his wife. "You know it is
quite walk" .",~!. II ~ d..
eyes, Jenny, but somehow / don't
feel like leaving you alone"' ~
"Oh, I am used to staying alone
So she was, poor thingl "And you said
you would be home early"
Yes, yes" ~ (. .@.
An active, sober man was he, and a
skilled performer. He had been trained
to the profession from childhood
no other, and, under ordinary circum-
stances, could easily keep his head
above water" But the ~tenting season.
had closed exceptionally early, the win
ter was hard, money was tight" and
every place of amusement suffered in
consequence. To these things were
added sickness, and brave-hearted as he
was he could not suppress a shiver oil
anxiety as the future stared him in the
face.
He passed along the narrow street.
through more pretenti Gus ones-passed
the houses of ynilionaires, and entered
Broadway. That, at least, was brilliant
and gay, as if there was nothing of pow
erty or human suffering in the world
as if none iii the great city were familiar
with hunger, and cold, and sickness
as if there never was to be any awaken
ing from golden dream of luxury ant
*Ahl thoughtless wealth and fashion,
he murmured, bitterly, as he saw fur
clad forms, and pampered steeds, ant
richly-mounted harness, and gildet
sleighs, and costly robes dash along
show much We will have to answer TO
in the day of final reckoning, for neg
lecting your poor, toiling, suffering
brothers and sisters" , d.. ..:..!
But no time had he to inger-th
clock in a window told him that, and
with sigh that his wife and little one
should not have their quota OF the goo,
things of this world, he passed on.
Suddenly confused cry-a wild tn
mult-the drawing away Of teams upo,
either side, or dashing into cross street
startled him, and he knew somethin
unusual was taking place. Then cam
the shout OF runaway runaway" an
he felt that Life OF property, or boil
were being whirled on to destruction.
Are you mad7 Do you, want to
klled?" hurriedly asked many, as the
ran to places Of safety, and he RENAME
standing upon the curb-stone. 100;
Is zz7o o. hS;7,;5; i, t;,@ warning =
mad praved death far too often to snr1n
from it in any event, and most certain]
when at such distance. His eyes wei
fixed up the street upon team Of mob
bays that were tearing along. mad wit
fright, and surging the sleigh from Sit
to side were running at their utmo
speed, each striving to Guido the othe
straining every nerve-were runni1
away driverless. Had that been all
would not have troubled himself, de,
as was his affection for blooded steec
for he was not at the moment partic
14~1x IL