The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-03-18
A POOR MANS TEMPTA-
TION.

llONs
Among the passengers aboard the
ship Petrol, bound from New York tG
San Francisco, was Thomas Warren
his wife and their six-year old aaugh'
ter, Flora.
Warren had been unfortunate.
BY careful saving Of his income a
clerk in drygoods store, he had bull,
little house one story and q half high
and there for four years, with his wife
and child he lived, happy aud content.
ed.
Then the firm employing him failed.
He looked about him preseveringly
for steady, honest work Of some kind
not caring what-but could not oh.
tain it.
One day a laborer who was obliged
to be absent from his place Of toil-a
bank of earth which was being re-
moved, permitted him to act as his
substitute for ten hours. Warren piled
the pick and shovel manfully aud re-
ceived one dollar when his task was
done. His health not being good
such heavy work made him i'll. He
didn't leave his bed for months. What
little money he had was all spent by
this time.
He sold his house and with some of
the proceeds took passage for San
Francisco, as stated, hoping to there
better his fortunes.
San Francisco said his wife Mary
thoughtfully when they were within
two days sail of that port. 1T is the
place where papa went years ago, to
look for Tom Marston, my poor broth
er who ran away from home. But as
you know, Tom was never found. We
never could learn what became of
him.
At that moment terrible cry went
through the craft.
Fire! Fire! Fire!
The captain and crew did all in their
power to save the vessel, but in vain.
Very soon the lurid flames, roaring
and Kissing flames enveloped nearly
every part of the ship.
Down went the boats and they were
presently occupied by crew and pas
sengers.
Warren had brought from the cabin
a tin box containing five hundred dol.
lars, which remained from the sale of
his house.
With his wife and child he got into
one Of the boats.
sThe Petrolem!' yelled the first
mate.
sPull away lively 1.-The ships going
to blow up!
The boat in which Warren sat was
ten fathoms from the ship, with roar
like q bursting volcano, she flew to
pieces, her fiery fragments shooting
high in the air.
The frightened passengers made
rush, which cspsized the boat. War.
ren's box of money sank to the bot
tom. He could swim and contrived to
saye his wife and child from drown
ing 6y holding them until one of the
boats came and picked up all the per-
sons who were in the water.
my boxP groaned Warren.
'Oh my!' cried his wife turning
deadly pale and clasping her hands.
'It has gone to the bottom of the
seav he said wildly. his fingers twitch-
ing nervously in his agony.
'If 1 could swim I'd dive and get
itl' said little Flora. Never mind,
papa, we can fill it with gold when we
get to the gold town.
And taking piece of cake from her
pocket, she commenced to eat it
Warren bowed his head. He looked
white and limp and gasped for breath.
Then the true spirit showed itself
on the payt of his wife.
There is no describing how she con-
soled him. She did it with the strange
subtle power of her sex.
He was still grief stricken, but some.
how the horror and dismay caused by
his loss were nearly gone.
Before night the passengers were
picked up by brig bound into the
port of San Francisco. And thus War.
rem and his little family arrived thel g.
He had few dollars in his pocket.
book and he hired lodging in a small
house, near the outskirts Of the town
He sat about looking for employ.
ment at once.
To his surprise, it was as difficult
here to obtain work as in New York
Day by day he went about on hii
hopeless journey.
He could find nothing to do.
'Give me piece of Bread said
Flora one morning-'s piece of bread
wis salt on it.
what! have we no sugar. said
Warren, Il thought we had little left
mo, papa said Flora, climbing or
his knee. Sugars gone and 80 cam
have bread. wis sugar, but there'l
plenty of salt, and like 'yat' on bread,
she added, clapping her hands.
A few days later it was still worse
The last morsel Of bread had beer
eaten.
Flora called stoutly for more, fol
the child was hungry.