Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-12-17

| ton.
81 didn't know just what to do" said
Paul, going on with more confidence.
CHS friend couldn't lend him anything;
and be turned down the street, saying
he would try and get credit at store
where he had traded sometimes; though
he didn't seem to have much hope that
he would succeed. Then l stepped for
ward, and said to his friend
DO you know that man?'
"'Yes,' he said; L know him very
well, and an honest fellow he is; and it's
shame that he should be in such a
condition of q Saturday night, and
Christmas eve! !
"'How happens it. 1 said, that an
industrious, sober man can't get liv-
ing, so as to be little more indepen-
dent?'
"'My boy he said, 'you don't know
anything about the lives of laboring
men. He gets twelve dollars week;
but what is twelve dollars a week for
supporting a family of six children
with one or two of them sick half of the
time and the wife worn out with work
and Watching? How can he get any
thing ahead?'
"Of course, I couldn't answer that.
So just asked the mans name, and
where he lived; thought would see for
myself ho,O he lived, if could.
"Well," said Paul, after moments
pause, "I found the place without much
trouble, and, o father, such place for
an honest family to live in!
San crowded together in one or two
rooms the mother, sick herself, with a
sick child in her arms one or two of
the others crying;- couldn't help
thinking, what if we were obliged to
live in that way"
"I'm glad-Pm glad Mr.. Garwin
cleared his throat again-"that You
took the precaution to see for yourself.
But what-what excuse did you make
for calling there?"
"Oh, had very good excuse. |
knew Mr.. Thomas wasn't ut home, so |
asked for Mr.. Thomas. said couldn't
wait to see him, and hurried away"
"Didn't you give the poor woman any
money ?" Mr.. Garwin anxiously in
quired.
"I couldn't somehow have face to
do that; though thought afterward I
might have left the money for her hus
band wouldn't he have been puzzled,
but good deal more glad than puzzled,
when he got home?
"I thought OF another plan. l went
to the nearest grocery and bought some
tea and coffee and sugar and crackers
and couple of loaves of bread then
to the next provision store, where I
bought fat turkey, and all the white
potatoes and sweet potatoes and apples
/ could get for the rest of my money.
ordered all these things sent to the
house; and I guess Mr.. Thomas, if he
has got home, is astonished by this
time !" Paul added, with q radiant
smile.
go my son p exclaimed Mrs. Gar
win, with gush of love and gratitude.
Mr.. Garwin gave q slow, emphatic
nod of approval. "You did right to
satisfy yourself with regard to the fam
ily's circumstances before giving them
help" he said. "And, really, my boy,
/ don't see but that You managed very
well--indeed admirably Did you
send any name with the provisions ?"
eyes: / thought Mr.. Thomas ought
"You gave your name. That was
right"
"No," said Paul, 81 sent them in
your name, father"
"In my name, Paul p said Mr.. Gar
win, surprised. "But that wasn't
right That wasn't true"
'Let me tell you, father !" said Paul,
with something like an imploring look
on his fine young face. "You gave me
the money. l know you said was to
co what l pleased with it; but 1 could
not have done that without it. And,
really, father, had to say, "A Merry
Christmas, from Mr.. George Garwin.
I'll tell you why. This man is one OF
your own workmen."
"What p said Mr.. Garwin, with a
start.
eyes; and he was making a bitter
complaint against you when 1 overheard
him."
'What did he say?
''I don't like to repeat it, )" said Paul.
"Don't lay it up against him, will
you? He was disappointed and desper-
ate."
''Tell me what he said -
''He said-he said-you passed for a
decent sort of man, but you had no
mercy OF poor laborer with your iron
rules. Rather than break one of them,
you would let his children starve. "
Mr.. George Garwin compressed his
lips and betrayed no little agitation as
he replied
"I have no such man as Mr.. Thomas
at work for me. This must have been
Warson,"
ait was Warson. MIR. Thomas
Warson," Paul admitted. 81 was afraid
to mention his full name at first. But
now I will tell you everything. was
in the house when he called here this
evening; and, forgive me, father when
I saw him and heard him speak, feel
sure that you were uniust--uniust tc
yourself, l mean for we know that you
are not hard or unfeeling.
$50 I followed him out, and heard
him talk with his friend on the street
and, father, I couldn't bear to have any
body speak as he did of you; so I though
the things ought to go in your name
and hope you will think SO, too."
'You are right; you are right, my boy
every time p Mr. George Garwin ex
claimed, with emotion, "I aCds too shor
with the man; we ought always give
poor mans claims generous consider
alton. thank you, my dear boyp
"Oh yes, Paul; and 1 thank you!
said his mother. "You have made m