The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-09-30
mauitowof pilot.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER so. 1880
THE CIRCUS-RIDER'S FAM
lily $3.50

heart out OF mlSer ana make the
white bear dance for joy, grumbled
Tom orion, as he looked out of the
window upon the snow cumbered
streets. eHow | wish | could stay
at home to night and take care of
you and the babes, Jenny. And l
would, only for"
He thought of how much poverty
was pinching them, and would not
sadden the hearts of those he loved
by mentioning it.
"Only for what Tom" asked his
wife from the bed, where, i'll herself,
she was taking care of their two sick
children.
"Only that they will be wanting
me-" he replied. "You know it is
Christmas Eve, and We have gotten
up an extra entertainment.
eyes, Tom, and a sorry day for
US, now that | am sick, and the chill
dren wanting medicine and" but she
could not bear to add a feather S
weight to his load-"and SO much
depends upon you"
II know" he replied, hastily
brushing the moisture from his eyes
and striving to conceal his anxiety;
shut l am well and strong, Jenny,
and the winter is nearly over, and
you will all be well again"
"But if anything should happen
you:" she questioned with a heavy
sigh.
''Do not think there is much dan
GER" he said, depressing sob as he
thought of how desperate would be
their situation-of the rent due, the
scanty store of provisions, the little
CT fuel remaining, the more than 9
month of hard winter yet before
them, the needs of a family that g
poor man learns by the most bitter
experience.
''But there is, dear, Tom. No one
is ever safe, living the life you do
There are SO many chances for al
accident"
800 not fear; l will take care 0.
myself--will not run any risk, anC
as | 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 tn,
coal in the stove, though every luml
was a golden ducat to Shylock il
his situation, attending to everything
possible for their comfort, and pre-
pared to face the cold and 90 to hi
nightly employment. Yet an un
common spell seemed to chain him
He fingered, fdgeted, glanced un
easily at the clock.
'Is itnot time you were off. Tom?
questioned his wife. "You know i
is quite walk.
eyes, Jenny, but somehow l Dc
not feel like leaving you alone
ooh, | am used to staying alone;
and she was, poor thing. "An'
you said you would be home early.
eyes, yes
| An active, sober man was he ant
a skilled performer. He had beer
trained to the profession from child
| hood-knew no other and unde
ordinary circumstances could easil,
| keep his head above water. Blu
the tenting season had closed ex
ceptionally early, the winter wa
hard, money was tight and ever.
place of amusement suffered in con
sequence. To these things wer
added sickness; and brave hearted
as he was, he could not suppress
.hiver of anxiety as the future star
ed him in the face.
| He passed along the narrow street
through more pretentious ones
passed the houses of millionaire
and entered Broadway. That, a
least, was brilliant and gay, as i
there was nothing of poverty or hu
man suffering in the world-as i
none in the great city were familiar
with hunger and cold and sickness
as if there never was to be any
awakening from a golden dream o
luxury and pleasure.
'Ah, thoughless wealth and fash
ion," he murmured, bitterly, as ht
saw furclad forms, and pampereC
steeds, and richly mounted harness
and gilded sleighs, and costly robe,
dash along, show much We Will have
to answer for on the day of fna
reckoning, for neglecting your poor
toiling, brothers and sisters
But he had no time to linger-the
clock in the window told that, and
with sigh that his wife and little
ones should not have their quota OF
| good things of this world, he passed
on.
Suddenly a confused cry-a wild
tumult-the drawing away of teams
on either side, or dashing into cross
streets-startled him, and be knew
something unusual was taking place.
Then came the shout of RUNAWAY,
runaway" and he felt that life or
property, or both, were being whirl-
ed on TO destruction.
care you mad? Do You want to
be killed." hurriedly asked many.
as they ran to places of safety and
he remained standing upon the curb
stone.
He gave no heed to the warning.
He had braved death far too often
TO shrink from it in any event and
most certainly when at such a dis
lance. His eyes were fixed up the