Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-12-20
THE DARK HOUR.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

II can stand it any longer. Jane; I'll
go out. and perhaps something will turn
up for us "
tits cold night, Robert"
"Cold, yes. But it's not much colder
out than in 1t would have been much
better for you If you had married John
Tremain," he said. bitterly
Don't say that Robert; I've never
regretted my choice"
"Not even when there is not loaf
of bread in the house for you and the
children ?"
"Not even now. Robert Don't be
discouraged God has not fOrsxken us
Perhaps this Christmas eve the tide will
turn better days may dawn upon US
to morrow
Robert Brice shook mis- head despond.
ingly:
Day after DAY have been in search Of
places, only to receive the same answer
everywhere
just then little Jimmy, who had been
asleep, woke up.
Mother" he pleaded, won't you give
M piece of bread? I am SO hungry. !"
"There is no bread, Jinmv, my dar
ling! said the mother. with an aching
heart.
"When will there be ome? asked the
little child. piteously.
Tears came to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to do.
Jimmy. I'll bring you some bread, !"
said the father hoarsely.
And he seized his hat and went to the
door. His wife. alarmed, laid her hand
upon bis sleeve. She saw the look in his
eyes; she feared to what step desperation
might lead him
Remember, Robert" she said, SOL
emniy. lit is hard TO s.arve; but there
are things that are woEse.n
He shook off her hand, but not rough.
ly, and. without a word. passed out
Out in the cold streets! There would
be their only home next For brief
time longer he had the shelter of q
cheerless room in q cold lodging house,
but the rent would become due ut the
end of the mouth and he had nothing
| to meet 1t
Robert Bricc was q mechanic. compe-
teut and skilled. Three years slucs he
lived in country village where his ex
peDses we're moderate and he found no
difficulty in meeting them. But in an
evil hour he got tired of his village
AOuCs 0nO ICAOVCu ~ luC CItys ucIc
he vainiy hoped to do better For y
while he met with very good success !;
put he found the lodging house where
be had to live n p.or substitute for tie
reat cottage ne occupied 10 the country
He saw his mistake, he was TOO proud
to go back. although it was his wife's
desire that they should DO SO
Bu, y time Of great depression came.
and with II n Suspension OF business en-
terprise Work c+aa-d for r ,nert Brice
anu many others If no had ueen in
his old home he could have turned his
haud to something else, and, at the
worst could have borrowed of his neigh
bOrs till better times.
So day by day be vert out to seek
| work only to return disappointed II
he had been alone he could nave got on
some way but II was sore trial to
cnme in the cherries room to his pale
wife and hungry children. with no re-
liefto offer them
When on that Christmas eve Robert
Brice went Into the streets, he hardly
knew how he was going to redeem the
promise he had made little Jimmy He
was absolutely penniies-, and had been
SO for three days There was nothing
thas he was likely to flnd to do that
night
| Il will pawn my cnat, he said. II
cannot see my wife and oh ldfen
starve."
1t was veil. worn cost, and that win
ter nigh he needed something more to
keep him warm. Weakened by his en-
| forced fasting. he was moro sensitive to
the cold, and shivered = he walked
along the pavement. 81