American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-12-27
THE VISIT OF AN ANGEL.

cit is cold enough to freeze the heart
out of a miser and make the white bear
dance for joy" grumbled Tom Orion.
as he looked out of the window upon the
snow-cumbered streets. "How wish
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 men,
toning it.
"Only for what, TomP" asked his
wife fromthe bed, where, ill herself, she
was taking care of their two sick chill
dren.
"Only that they'll be wanting me, ~
he replied. "You know it is Christ
mas Eve, and we've gotten up an extra
entertainment
Yes, Tom, and sorry day for us,
now that 1 am sick, and the children
wanting medicine and but she could
not bear to add feathers weight to his
load" and so muck depends upon
your
Il KNOW" he replied, hastily brush
ing the moisture from his eyes and
striving to conceal his anxiety; "bnt
am well and strong, Jenny, and
the winter is nearly over and you'll all
be well again.
But if any thing should happen to
you?" she questioned, with a 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 fam
lily 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 SO many chances for accident
"Don't fear, I'll take care of myself
won't run any extra risk, and as 1 have
nothing to do in the latter part, will be
home early
He stepped to the bedside, drew the
cover more closely about his wife and
children, kissed them, put the coal in
the stove though every lump was as
golden ducat to a Shylock in his then
situation, attending to every thing pos
sible 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 were off, Tomp''
questioned his wife. "You know it is
quite walk
Eyes, Jenny; but somehow 1 don't
feel like leaving you alone.''
30! am used to staying alone" So
she was, poor thing! Sand you said
you would be home early"
Eyes, yes"
An active, sober man was he, and a
skilled performer. He had been trained
to the profession from childhood knew
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 SuuereQ IN
consequence. To these things were add
ed sickness, and brave-hearted as he
was he could not suppress SILVER of
anxiety as the future stared him in the
face.
He passed along the narrow street,
through more pretentious ones-passed
the houses of millionaires, 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 in the great city were familiar
with hunger and cold and sickness-as
if there never was to be any awakening
from golden dream of luxury and
pleasure.
"Ah! thoughtless wealth and fash
ion," he murmured, bitterly, as he saw
far-clad forms, and pampered steeds,
and richly mounted harness, and gilded
sleighs, and costly robes dash along,
show much ye will have to answer for