The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-09
The Poor Mans Temptation


Petrel, bound from New York to San
' Francisco, were Thomas Warren; his wife
and their six -year-ol daughter, Flora.
Warren had been unfortunate.
BY careful saving from his income as a
q clerk in dry goods store he had built a
little house one story and half high and
there for four years, with his wife and child
he had liyed, happy and contentod.
Then the firm employing him failed, He
looked about him perse rringly for steady,
honest werk of some kind-not caring what
but could not obtain 1t.
One day q laborcr who was obliged to be
absent from his place of toil-a bank Of
earth which was being removed--permtted
him to act as his substitute for ten hours.
Warren piled the pick and shovel inanfully
and received one dollar when his task was
done. His health not being good, such
Heavy work n1ado him ILL.,. He could not
leave his bed for months. What little
money he had was all spent by that time.
nv He sold his house and with some Of the
proceeds took passage for San Francisco,
as stated, hoping to there better his for,
tunes.
San Francisco" said his wife Mary
thoughtfully when they were within two
days sail of that port. "It is the place
where papa went, years ago, to look for
Tom Marstont my poor brother, who ran
away from h. ,e. But as you know, Tom
was never found. We ncvor could learn
what became Of him."
At that moment terrible cry went
through the craft.
''Fire Fire! Firc!"
= The captain and crew did all in their
power to save the vessel, but in vain.
Very soon tho lurid flames, roaring and
kissing onveloped nearly every part Of the
ship.
Down went the boats and they were
presently occupied by o.ew and passengers.
Warren had brought up from tho cabin
tin box, containing f1ve, hundred dollars,
which remained from the sale of his house.
With his wife and child he got into one
T the boats.
'DEhe petroleum." yelled the first mate.
Pull away livelyl-thc ships going to
blow apl'' n3e""
Tlo boat In which, Warren sat was ten
fathons from the ship, when with roar
like bursting volcano, she flew TO pieces,
her fiery Fragments shooting high In air.
The frightened passengers made rush,
which capsized the boat. Warren's box of
money sank to the bottom. He could
swim and contrived to save his wife and
CHILD from drowning by holding them un-
I'll one OF the other boats came and picked
up an thepersons who were in the water.
"My boxl" groaned Warron.
ooh my!" cried his wife turning deadly
pale and clasping her hands.
ut has gone to tho bottom Of the seal y he
said wildly, his fingers twitching nervously
In his agony.
.'Tf could swim I'd dive and got IT."
said little Flora. 'sNevcr mind, papa, we
can dll 1t wis gold when wo got to the
gold town."
And taking q piece of cake from her
pocket, she etcommenced to eat it.
Warren bowed his head. He looked
white and limp and gaspcd for breath.
Then the true spirit showed itself on the
part of his wife.
Fhero Is no describing how she consoled
him. She did 1t with the strange subtle
power of her sex.
He was still grief stricken, but somehow
the horror and dismay caused by his loss
were nearly gone.
upbya brig bound into the port of San
Francisco. And thus Warren and his little
! family arrived there. Ft
He had afcw dollars in hlspocket-book,.
Z and he hired lodgings In a small house, near
the outskirts of the town.
He set about looking for employment at
once. ''|''
TO his surprise, 1t was as dfflult hero to
obtain work as In New York. ,,M,. ...
K Day after day he went about on his hope
less rounds aA'' tth
He could find nothing to do
"Give me piece of bread" :" said Flora,
one nnorning-'.a a piece of bread wis salt
on H.. k ,.. ~
!, ''WhaN have we no sugar "said Wnrron.
7 though we Had d little"
.SSs ttNo, papa, y satd Flora climbing on his
\ knee. s / Sugars all gone. and so i can't
have bread wis sugar, but there's plenty
1 Of salt, and like 'yat on bread" she ad-
dcd, claping her hands. :. vi
Afew days later 1t was still worso.
The last morsel of bread had been eaten.
Flora ycslled 'stoqtly for more, for the
He Her Haothsr hnd Il II father M wore m stil il hun.
grier. Il 4 f.
They were weak from. the want Of food.
s4iiWaffe6 Vent IRiiss rounds as Usual, In
vain. ia lffiss SttS X iss
lAt lsagsh he ioundf himSelfs Oh tho cut
sssklrts Of the city. 5.$