West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-03-22
AN ANGELS VISIT.
by WILLIAM II. BUSHNELL.

ut is cold enough to freeze the heart
out of a miser and make the white bear
dance for JOY" grumbled Tom Orton. as
he looked out of the window upon the
snow-covered streets. Glow l wish /
could stay at home tonight and talk e
care of you and the babies, Jenny. And
would only for"
Ee thought of how much poverty
wa plnching them, and would not sad
den the hearts of those he loved by
mentioning it,.
"Only for what, Tom?" asked his
wife from tho 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 mp an extra en-
tertainment."
Yes, Tom, and sorry day for us.
now that / 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"
know" he replied, hastily brush
ing the moisture from his eyes and
striving to conceal his anxiety; but [
am well and strong, Jenny, and the
winter is nearly over and you'll all be
we'll again"
But If anything should happen to
you?" she questioned, with a heavy sigh.
Don't think there is much danger" ."
he said, repressing n sob as he thought
of how desperate would be their situa-
tlon-of the rent due, the scanty store
of provisions, the little of fuel remain
lng,-th more-than month of hard win
ter yet before them, the needs of n
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 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 carly"
He stepped to the bedside, drew the
cover more closely about his wife and
children, kissed them, put moro coal in
the stove, though every lump was as n
golden ducat to a Sbylock in his then
situation, attended to everything posi-
BILE for their comfort, and prepared to
face the cold and go TO his nightly en-
ploymeht. Yet an uncommon spell
seemed to chain him. He fingered,
fidgeted, glanced uneasily at the clock.
Isn't it time you were of, Tom ?"
questioned his wife. "You know it is
quite a walk"
Yes, Jenny, but somehow / don't
feel like leaving you alone"
"Oh, / 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
skilled performer He had been trained
TO the profession from childhood-kne
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 eight" and
every place of amusement suffered in
consequence. To these things were
added sickness, and brave hearted as ne
was he could not suppress shiver 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
rs If none in the great city were familiar
with hunger, and cold, and sickness
as If there never was 20 be any awaken
ing from a golden dream of luxury and
pleasure.
"Ah thoughtless wealth and fashion, f"
no murmured, bitterly, az ne saw fur
clad forms, and pampered steeds and
richly-mounted harness, and gilded
sleighs, and costly robes dash along,
"how much We viii have TO answer for
in the day Of final reckoning, for neg
lecting your poor, tOiling, suffering
brothers and sisters"
But no time had he to linger-the
clock in n window told him that, and.
with sigh that his wife and little ones
should not have their quota Of the good
things Of this world, he passed on.
Suddenly n confused cry-a wild tu-
mult-the drawing away of teams upon
either side, or dashing into cross streets
startled him, and he knew something
unusual was taking place. Then came
the shout Of runaway runaway" and
be felt that life or property, or both,
were beng whirled on to destruction
Are yOu mad2 DO you want 60 be
y hlled| hurriedlv asked many, az they
fran to places Of safety, and he remained
= standing upon the curb-stone
He gave no heed 20 the warning. He
had braved death far too often 10 shrink
from 10 in any event, and most certainly
when at such n distance His eyes were
fixed up tho street upon n team of noble
bays that were tearing along, mad with