The Opelousas courier., 1886-06-19
A Moment of Temptation.

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81 can't stand it any longer, Dolly.
I'll go out and perhaps something will
turn up
sIt's a cold night, Robert"
'Cold, yes, but it's not much colder
out than in. It would have been better
for You, dear, if you had married John
Tremain.n
'Don't say that, Robert. / have never
regretted my choice"
mot ever when there is not a loaf OF
bread in the house for you and the chill
dren2p
Not even now, Robert. God has not
.forsakcn us. Perhaps on Easter day the
tide will turn"
ssIt's been Lent all the winter with us, -
said Robert bitterly. ''Day after day
have searched for employment. I have
called at fifty places and received the
same answer everywhere"
A curley-headed boy crept mp to his
mothers knee.
Mother he pleaded, "wont you
give me a piece of bread? am hungry
just a little piece, mother"
AThere is NO bread, Jimmy darling, /"
said the mother, with an aching heart.
tsWhen will there be somc?'' asked the
little n piteously.
Tears came into the mothers eyes.
She could not speak.
ssJimmy, Pl bring you some bread, y
said the father hoarsely, and he seized
his hat and went to the door.
His wife alarmed, laid her hand on his
sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes,
and feared that he might be driven to
some desperate step. Remember, Rob-
ert,a she said solemnly, sit is hard to
starve, but there are things, that are
worse
He shook her off, but not roughly, and
without a word went out.
Out into the cold streets that would be
their home ere long, for the rent would
soon be due and then even the shelter of
the cherries DON in the poor lodging
house would be denied them. Rob
ert Bruce was a mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived
in a country home, but in an evil hour he
removed to the city. Here he vainly
hoped to do better. For a while he was
successful, but be found his lodging
house a poor substitute for the pretty
cottage that had been his country home.
He saw his mistake, but was too proud
to go back, though his wife pinned to do
90.
Then q time Of great depression came
and business seemed suspended. Work
ceased for Robert Bruce as for others.
If he had been in his old home he could
have turned his hand to something else,
or at the most have borrowed of a neigh
Dor till better times, but now he felt
hopeless.
When he went out on the street he did
not know how he was TO keep his prom
Use to little Jimmy. He was absolutely
penniless, and had been so for three days.
There wa nothing that he was likely to
find to do that night.
81 will pawn my ~oyercoat,n he said.
81 cannot see my wife and children
starve.n
ssIt was a well-worn overcoat and the
night was raw with the clustering winds
of March. He was SO weakened by fast
ing that he was shivering even while
wearing it, and needed something much
warmer.
"Yes,D lie said, Git must 90. / don't
know how I shall get along without ii,
but 4 cannot hear the poor little ones cry
for bread.
He was not in general an envious man,
but whe.I he saw the slick, well-fed citi-
gen buttoned UP to the chin in warm
k1tcoats coming out of their grand
ZONES, while his children were starving,
he had some bittcr thoughts Of the inc
quality Of fortunes gifts. Why should
they be happy while he was 50 miserable2
There was q man just passing with his
hands thrust deep in the pockets-of his
shaggy o~vercoat. There was a jolly
smile on his face. He was doubtless
thinking of d pleasant circle at home.
Robert knew him as arich cabinet-maker,
whose ample warehouse he often passed.
He applied to this man only two days be-
lore for employment and had been re-
fused. Just as he passed Robert Mr..
Grimes drew his handkerchief from his
pocket. Az he did so he did not per
ceive that his pocketbook came with il
and fell Cd The pavement. Hc did not
perceive, but Robert did.
His heart leaped into bis mouth and q
sudden temptation entered his mind. He
bent quickly down and picked up the
pocketbook. Hesaw that his movement
had not been noticed. Mr.. Grimes went
on unconscious of his loss.
This Will buy bread for my wife and
children, I thought Robert instantly.
a vision Of the comfort the money
would bring into that cherries room
lighted up bis heart for an instant, but
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