Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-12-22
circle at homo.

circle at home.
Robert knew him as a rich cabineta
maker and upholsterer He had aijs
piled to this man only two days before
for employment, and been refused.
1t was, perhaps, the thought of the
vide difference between them, so far
as outward circumstances were, that
led Robert to follow him.
After awhile the gentleman-Afr.
Grimes-drew his handkerchief from
his pocket. AS he did so, he did not
perceive that his pocket-book came
with it, and fell on the pavement.
He did not perceive, but Robert
did. His heart leaped to his mouths
and a sudden thought entered his
mind. He bent quickly down, and
picked up the pocllet-booll. He
raised his eyes to see if the movement
was noticed. 1t was not. Mr..
Grimes went on, unheeding his loss.
This will buy bread for my wife
and children thought Robert, in.
stantly.
A vision of the comfort which the
money would bring that cheerlesss.
room lighted up his heart for an ips
slant, but then-for he was not disc
honest-there came another rhought.
The money was not his, lnucll'as he
wanted it.
But cannot see my wife aid
children starve,' he Thought, again.
g If it is wrong to keep the money,
God will pardon the offence. Hewiil
understand my motive.
All this was sophistry, and heknew
it. In a moment he felt it TO be so.
There were some things worse than
starvation. 1t was his wife who said
this just before he came out. Could
he meet her gaze when he returned
with food so obtained?
Ive lived honest so far, he
thought; II won't turn thief now.'
With an effort he came to this de-
cision, for all the while there was
before his eyes that vision of cheer
less home, and he could hear Jimmy
vainly asking for food. 1t was with
an effort he stepped forward and
placed his hand on the gentleman's
shoulder, and extended tic hand that
held the pocketbook.
"ThanlI YOU" said Mr.. Grimes,
turning round; "I hadn't perceived
my loss. lam mitch obliged to you"
" You lave reason to be-" said
Robert, in low voice. * was very
near keeping it,
"That would have been dishonest"
said Mr.. Grimes, his tone altering
slightly.
" Yes it would but it is hard for d
man TO behonest when he is penniless,
and his wife and children without u
crust"
Surely you and your children are
not in that condition." said Mr..
Grimes, earnestly.
" Yes" said Robert; I" it is only
too true. For two months / have
vainIy sought for work. applied to
you two days since"
I" remember you now. Thought
L had seen you before. You still
want work p
+" should feel grateful for it."
My foreman left me yesterday.
Will you take his place for fifteen
dollars a week."
Thankfully, sir. -
{" Then come tomorrow evening,
or, rather, as tomorrow will be d
holiday, the day succeeding. Mean4
time, take this for your present ne..
cessities."
He drew from his pocket some
money. and put it into Robert hand
q It's ten dollars!'' said Robert,
in amazement.
81 know it. The pocket-book
contains nearly two hundred dollars.
But for you, / should have lost the
whole. 1 wish you merry Christ
mas"
"It will, indeed, be merry
Christmas" said Robert with emol
ton. Heaven bless you, SIR
Good night"
I" Good night" "
Cornelia waited for her husband in
tic cold and checrless room, which for
few days longer she might call her
home.
An hour passed there was a step
on the stairs-her husbands. It
could not be, for this was a cheerful,
elastic step, coming up two stairs at
time. She looked eagerly to. the
door.
Yes. it was he. The door opened.
Robert, radiant with joy, entered
with basket full of substantial pro-
visions.
"Haveyou gotsomc bread, fatIIers"
asked Jimmy, hopefully.
{" Yes, Jimmy, some bread and
meat, and here little tea and sugar.
There's few GOALS left, are there not
Cornelia? Let's have a comfortable
meal, for, please God, this shall be a
merry Christmas
g How did it happen? Pray tell
me, Robert. -
So Robert told his wife; and soon
bright fire lit up the before cheeSs
less room, and there were four haprv
hearts that waited in joyful hope t5r
the dawn of a merry Chfitrfiss
Day"
The next week they moved to IIet4
ter quarters. They have never since
known what it was to want. Robert
found firm friend in M Grimes,
and has reason to remem ber with 4