The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-30

Win eagerness AN had magistrate
here for the 'dayits an. just as Sam was
committed, I, an here he is
Stronger arms than her fathers were
about her. The old man walked to the
hearth and poked the fire for a long
tine, with his blue cotton handkerchief
to his face. When he turned again, nose
md eyes were red he came over and
md put his hand again on Matty's head
there Sam held it to his breast. Eyes,
ID father must always have his share
a you, child, ,'Ihe said.
Sam put up his hard hands quickly
! nd grasped the bony fingers ]; then all
iere silent for awhile. Rough, coarse
eople, meant to do vulgar work in the
aorld, yet they came very close to God
4 that silence; and because of this trial
I this New Years day, served Him all
heir lives long with downright, hon
ity,.a fine tenderness, (which many Of
lis children never knew. 5%
Mrs. ToliyarIsp spread out her New Year
inner to her hearts content that even
ig; indeed between cooking and cry
ag her face was dyed scarlet that last
| for days. / ...
1t was cozy, bright little table, faces
% happy for laughter about it yet un7
sr all was; vague, cold shadow; across
lie hall in the. closed room lay the dead
ri ); not many doors away her victim.
o-morrow they would be put out of
ght forever !; but
1T puzzles me-" said Martha as they
ood alone in the evening freight,
uch sad, useless lives as these" Car
n made no answer. "And what have
DONE" putting her hand to her head,
.e tears coming, "that mine should be
fferent from theirs? So little as have
served it. So discontented as l have
zen Sam" i
II did not know it Matty," taking her
md gently, "For their lives I oughtn't
ask. God gave, and took away, He
lows"
They stood silent, the fickering
.adows coming and going then he said,
IS brave voice hesitating, There was
ue thing I thought. Maybe this was
mt to us to make our lives less sham
id shallow, Matty-"
"Yes, Sam" humbly.
"An'if there was any work offered it.
If to us, not to shirk it, no matter how
can or little it was. Eh? l think l
leded that, lesson. was always plan
ng out my work clear to the grave"
She said: %Yes," again, ,doubtfully,
cling that he had some further mean
unspoken.
They went into the kitchen presently,
acre Mrs. Tolivar was feeding the dead
fl's child by the fire.
"When do you send it away" asked
m, putting his fingers on its skinny
tie hand.
"Tolivar'll take 1t to the poor mouse
morrow, poor little wretch" dandling
tenderly enough.
Martha thought the babys eyes again
flowed her with strange look of ap-
al. Look" she said nervousIy. CAL
loss and pain of those two lives
ems to be in the child's face"
81 see," said Sam.
She was silent a moment. Disease and
cious blood had done their worst on
puny little body; but the soul that
ID had given ? Was it too late to make
at healthy and happy?
1T looks, Sam, as if it asked us to help
He made no answer. She gave one
,ick glance at his face, then took the
by in her trembling arms. 1t clung tc
trneck and laughed.
II will take 1t for mine" she said
z iod do 50 to me as l deal justly with
rnp."
He put his hand on her head. "GQc
ess you, Matty," he said. Il though
VI would do that"
So Martha Toliv2r found her new
,e's work.
An Alarming Debt.