The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-03-18
They were weak from the want oi

| 1OOQ.
Warren went his rounds as usual i
vain.
At length he found himself on tn
outskirts of the city.
He hoped he might be lucky enougl
to kill some bird or rabbit with stone
But bird and rabbit kept shy of him
he failed to obtain either.
By this time he was faint, and hi
brain reeled. He felt strangely be
wildered.
All at once he heard piteou
voice.
1t came from rude hut a few fee
distant.
There he discovered dying man
q wan emaciated creature in patched
garments.
'Giye me a little water! he gasped
Warren gave him water from jus
near him.
sHave you no friend, no relative
that l can 60 to and bring here2 in
quired Warren.
Il don't think have a relative liv
ing,' gasped the man. Il was dying
here alone before you came. Will you
do me a favor2 Lift those bricks il
the fireplace and bring me my keg.
Warren removing the bricks, which
were loose, discovered paint keg
and brought it to the man.
1t was filled to the brim with silver
half dollars.
Il have been a miser,' groaned the
sufferer, but you can see for yourself
| I have not sayed much. Will you
take this keg to-
Before he could finish he gave a
shudder and his eyes became glazed.
He was dead.
Warren looked at him awhile, then
his gaze wandered to the kcg of coins.
The whirling sensation was still in
his head. His mind seemed to have
become weak. He continued to stare
st this silver heap.
How much good that amount would
do little Flora and his wifeI They
were hungry-almost starving.
His gaze was caught by slip of pa
per among the silver pieces.
He took it and read it.
'This keg of money is to be taken
to Roger Barmont, merchant, No.
street, San Francisco, in case of my
DEATH
Roger Barmontl Warren had seen
the name over the Wholesale store of
this wealthy merchant.
A few days before he had unsuc-
cessfully applied there for employ
ment. There were probably about
one hundred dollars in the keg,
To Barmont, the rich wholesale
dealer, this would be mere trife-to
Warren it would be food and shelter
perhaps life itself!
Why should this trifie go to the
golden hoard of the merchant when
Warren needed it SO much more?
The poor man glared at the coins
he looked at them long and wistfully.
Then at last, he flung his arms into
the air, as if to hurl the temptation
from him.
To take that money would be to
steal.
my Godl No! he cried. Il can
not DO it'll 1 feel ashamed of myself
Tor even thinking of such o thing
Had my brain been right, would not
have thought of it! My mind is
strangely weakened,
He picked up the keg and took i,
straight to Roger Barmont.
The merchant read it through his
gold spectacles.
'It's all right he said quickly after
Warren had explained. Il am much
obliged to you. will have the body
decently buried.
Warren looked around him wist-
fully. Stalwart men were moving
hither and thither handling bales,
boxes and casks. A legion of clerks
were making their pens fly over the
pages Of the ledgers.
There was one cask, half full of sug-
ar, outside, partly open. A drizzling
rain was falling wetting this sugar.
Would you not like to have that
cask moved into the store?' he in.
quired family.
Mr.. Barmont looked up.
sOhI 1 believe have not rewarded
you for bringing me these silver
pieces he said.
He took quarter from his pocket
and put it on the counter.
mo, thank you,' said Warren
but will take it for moving the cask
il you like.
very well,' said Barmont more
gently. Move it as soon as you can.
Warren tugged at the heavy cask
1t was too much for his strength, in
his present weakened condition.
But he got it in the store. Then he
staggered against it nearly fainting.
"A glass of wine, here, called Mr.
Barmont.
One of the clerks brought it. 1t re-
vived the sufferer, although he still
looked bewildered.
what makes you so weak? Have
you been ill p inquired the merchant
The others gaze, as if by a sort Of
fascination, against which he vainly
struggled, was fixed, with a greedy
look, upon box of damaged biscuits
which one of the men was about tt
throw in a refuse cask. Mr.. BarmOn
drew Warren to one side.
what is you name, and where de
you live? 2 he inquired.
Thomas Warren. liYe at No.
street.