The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-06-07

circumstance"
'No think not; don't want to injure
thcfellow.
"Then shall. FIre day, isn't IT'D good
bye"
The next day the -'little circumstance
was mentioned, aud brought forth many in.
dignate and contemptuous comments.
~ early all the gentlemen present were self
made men. And yet amongst no set of ar
/ tistocratic landowners could more deter
mined counsels of class their class, that is
tsupremacy be heard. One benevolent old
man did dare certainly to remark that this
/ did not seem to hinl O case of insubordina-
ton, but of conscience, AM that every man
/ had right to his Sabbath, but this gentle
man was treated with scant attention.
/ And there the matter was dropped; but
not ended, as Stephen found to his cost next
s1ay.
/ All Monday Stephen went from foundry
20 foundry, bat trsce had been dull and
/ was just beginning 70 revive no new work
men were required, end he met with re-
/ fusals at all save one place; there be was
cold that foreman, misunderstood his own
peculiar branch was wanted, but the master
was engaged out at q meeting, and he might
call next day. When he did call he found
he was not wanted.
| So bitter time of tz;sl began; for three
long weeks Stephen wandered about con-
SANITY asking for work. When he hsd
penetrated into every workshop and foun-
dry yard in the vest town where he had
been born and always bad lived, and met
invariably with disappointment, he began
| by his wives advice TO travel to the neigh
boring smaller towns.
frequently he walked Gery long distances
on vague rumors of employment, which al
ways turned out to be false, for the iron
trade, which was beginning to revive in the
gres. town, was still stagaete in the outly-
ing districts. Constant Sefusals crushed
even his brave and trustfA spirit, and he
went now, at the end of fortnight, on his
daily search with so despoa2ent an air that
misfortune seemed tc accompany him ard
cling naturally to his side
Stephen tried each evening ss he neared
the houseto put on the cheerful air he die
not feel, and enter his home bcissly, but Oh Q
look at MGry's anxious face srG large, ques-
tioning eyes, and all his sham brightness
vanished.
The couple had only been able, on ac-
count of the long bad times, to Ineke but a
very small provision against rainy day.
A sick sisters widow-bad needed and re.
ceived help tothe utmost of their power, and
many unusUsl expenses had come to be
paid during tie last month, so the little
savings had dEinded rapidly away, end it
was with a feeling akin to despair. on the
Monday in this the third week was obliged
to 90 to the savings bank and withdraw
their last pound.
Through all the years which have passed
since then Stephen looks back
upon this week as the most mis-
cradle of his life, and sometimes even new
he wonders how be got through it, aad
owns with humble gratitude that nothing
short of the sustaining hand of bis God, and
the patient, accomplishing, cheerful love Of
ms wife prevented Kim from utterly de-
spSiring.
he had been everywherel He knew the
uselessness of applying where he had al
ready refused, and yet it was intolerable to
remain in the house dong nothing but
watch, as he could not help watching his
pale, feeble wife and the helpless little ba-
by. Out in the streets there seemed more
room to move. He avoided the hours when
he should meet his fellow-workmen return
ing from that employment to gain share
in which would have been the greatest
dered about fighting a sore battle. Few
persons passing the man in the street in
his unused working-dress, and with that
look of misfortune hanging like mist
about him, would have given him credit for
being hero, and little did he feel like one
himself. Ard yet each night as he knelt
and prayed tor that daily bread which
seemed so long in coming, he also offered
than eoriv hauipar oscQd
day without having yielded to sin, for every
working hour of the day had been passed in
fighting temptation. A voice had been
constantly urging him, with sometimes such
terrible vehemence that it seemed as though
no denial was possible
go to Mr.. Hsnworth, say you arc sorry
and you will work on Sunday when he
finds it needful. He will take you back.
The wages are good, and Mary and the
child will be provided for. Go at once;
here you are just passing the gates"
'-NO, mol not even for them. Lord, help
me to be true to Thee, and to do what I'm
sure is right he would cry in his heart;
and then with hurrying feet would hasten
past the well-known walls.
Saturday night came There was question
Stephen must ask, and ne tried twice or
thrice to say the words before they would
form the very simple sentence:
"Have we any money left, Msry2 l
know you've had Goals to get"
"a shilling, dear lad; but don't be low
hearted; we've three big loaves and bit of
cheese and some tea and sugar-enough to
put US over Monday. Keep up thy heart,
Stephen; our Lords sure to make way for
US"
Stephen groaned as he buried his face in
his hands.
So the third week ended.
WHAT HE FOUND THERE.
Another Sabbath had CONS round, and
perhaps, of all the sorrow-lsden souls in the
great congregation assembled in the time
and smoke blackened old parish church,
none carried a heavier heart than the work.
ing man who knelt with bowed head and
passionstely clasped hands in The shadow of
the farthest pillar.
Stephen was sitting silently by the fire
that afternoon, and Mary, singing hymn,
was trying TO quiet the child to sleep as she
rocked it to and fro in her arms, when the
door opened and Aaron came in.
"Well, old chap, are you getting on mid
dling2"
mo; not at all; can't get chance to go
to work"
SAY, but that's bsdl You see, Steve. it's
gotten out why Hanworth sacked thee.
Have you tried old Mr.. Wilson, He's of
thy own way Of thinking"