The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-01-23
THE DARKEST HOUR.

THE DARKEST HOUR.
Il have tried everywhere to get
work. went from door to door this
morning, offering to do anything.
hoping to earn enough to get you and
the children something to eat.
The speaker was poor but indus
trious man, who had married. as
many do, very young and beautiful
girl, without stopping to think that a
long life lay before them, 1t was a
hard winter. and the young wife,
who had seen 2l years. was the moth
er OF three children, the youngest be-
ing an infant only 3 months oil. She
had been disappointed. What woman
who has married hastily, and at too
early an age, has no.? But she had
good and brave heart, and learned
in time that the future of her hus-
band and dear little ones depended
much upon herself.
@Don't despair. Harry" she re-
piled, answering the words at the
commencement OF this sketch. 1T
Is our darkest hour, and help must be
near"
She held her babe up to her face,
to'hide from her husba: d the start
ing tears. At that moment her little
3-year. old son said:
mamma, rs so hungry!'
Hush Freddie" said his sister,
who was two years ohler than her
brother, "mamma's got no bread"
Though but baby, the little girl
knew the bitterness OF want.
i can't bear this any longer" said
the aIf-crazed father, taking some
thing from drawer and rushing to
the door.
Harry, are you mad ?" shrieked his
wife. sprinving toward him.
"Get out OF my way" he exclaimed,
fiercely endeavoring to push her
from him. See you have hurt the
baby"
"Hsrry. I will not let you out"
He turned his white, frenzied face
toward her.
Papa" she said pleadingly. point
ing to the frightened children,
would you leave them fatherless?'
What can do?" he moaned. sink
into a chair.
"Take baby and stay here, while ]
go and get bread"
She put her infant In his arms,
while be sat still. unable to act or
think. Then she put on her bonnet
aid shawl. and kissing the two eager
little faces that watched her move
ments, told them to be good children
and che would get them something
nice.
She hurried away to the business
part OF the city, and entering large
building. knocked timidly at an Office
door. II was opened by msn whose
appearance and everything about him
bore the impression OF wealth and
culture.
"This is indeed a surprise, Mrs. Al
len,- most agreeable one" he said
leading her to a seat ITO what for.
tunate circumstance do l owe thil
visit? For it must be something
very important that has brought yol
out this bitter cold day
She felt the covert sarcasm, bu
nerved herself to speak.
| Necessity. Mr.. Thornton: my hus
band has had no work for months
and my children are suffering: Civ
me some copying to do to earn then
bread"
He had known her from her child
hood: he knew how her proud, sensa
tive spirit shrank daily under tn
lash OF adversity. He had venture,
once to ridicule the man whom sh,
married. but, with an imperious ges
ture which he had not expected, sh,
replied:
"He is my husband
AN idle husband and hungry ba
bies, Mrs. Allen; that's bad" be said
answering her appeal.
An angry retort arose to her lips
but she conquered her pride, an
said:
"Give me work, aud sufficient I
provide for their present wants."
aIsit true that you are In so mucl
need, Nina?"
His kind toas, and the onoe-famil
lar name dispelled all her reserve.
"They are starving! To save ther
! came to you.
He unlocked q drawer and put
bank note into her hand. saying:
"Spend that, and you shall hav
more"
She raised her fearful eyes to his
her lips moved, but she GOULD nc
speak her heartfelt gratitude.
He stood ct her side, stopped dowr