The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-12
THE REWARD OF HUMILITY.

THE REWARD OF HUMILITY.
 Touching stories of sudden bills of re- lief being introduced by Providenee, are growing rare and somewhat threadbare at the elbows. There was time when such stories as "'Twas Saturday night and the widow of the pine cottage sat by her blazing fagots with her five chatter ing children at her side" were as popular as an actors tear of emotion, but now, as we hinted in previous line, they are los ing cast The widow of the pine cottage. Pine cottages do not often die and leave their widows with five chattering children, but this especial pine cottage left his widow in pretty good shape.
 These days, when poor widow and five chattering children sit around the fire Saturday night, hungry, and without enough cover on the bed and with the dog scratching himself in the dining room, there is no probability of long lost son hopping into the room and slamming down sack full of gold. The widow does not expect such relief and is not disappointed.
 This brings to mind the forlorn condi- ton of family who lives on a desolate hill overlooking the river The mother is not widow, for her hard-working hus- band is alive. The weather was intensely cold, and the wind in eccentric whirls blew fragments of rheumatism and pleu- risy around the community. The half frozen river murmured in sullen gurgle and the crow cried out in surprise when he dipped down into the chilling stream In the house of the poor family, the fire was slowly dying, and the kettle which had been singing so merrily, now lowly hummed sketehy and discordan: pre- tense of tune. The woman and her five shivering children sat around the hearth.
 oldest boy, bright, manly-lookiDg youth with hairy mole growing on his jaw"
 don't see what could have kept him so. He has been in the city three days, and unless he comes this evening, don t know what we will do for food. Are you hungry, Margaret
 t Hungry" repeated the fair-faced girl 1 looking up. "Hungry. Is a she-wolf hungry!'
 There is not a morsel in the house." the mother continued. |" gave the last loaf of bread to a tramp this morning Unless he brings it back l don't know what we shall do."
 Il don't think that 1t was bread cast upon the waters said Margaret.
 If water al ak the dead sea- re- marked the mother.
 Dead beat, you no doubt mean" said the boy.
 A manly tread was heard. The voices dropped into silence and every eye was eager and every ear intent. The door latch lifted and the father entered. The children gathered around him and the wife went through his pockets.
 "ls there anything to eat in the house?'
 If there were anything 10 eat, it would be to eat in the house. Don't think we would go out doors 10 eat dur ing such weather. do you? Your doubt less want to know if there is anything in the house 10 eat.'
 Ah. sharp boy. said the father plac- ing hand on the head of his son. " Blu, is there anything here to eat"
 Nothing replied the wife, in tone low and unmis,akable
 We'll, what have you all been doing whle was away: Been hard a, work for three days and then come home to md nothing 10 Cat, An, how little re- ward virtue has ID this world ,' Must have been reading the Money less Man, unused the manly boy with the hairy mole.
 Dld you get work readily in the city:' asked the wife.
 Oh, yes, found job almost immedi- ately."
 At what wages?"
 About fifty cents per day. Did you get your money!" Well, no, for you see it was this way The authorities of the city saw that was good-natured, jovial sort of man and disposed to enjoy myself, so they wanted me to work for them. They took me to a large building where I hammered stone into fantastic little shapes. was allowed hfiy cents per day, but when the time for settlement came, they declared we were even and that might go home.-
 The poor woman groaned. We mus,