St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-25
THE DARK HOUR.
story of n worEingman's Trials.


II can't stand it any longer, Dolly. III
20 out and perhaps something will turn
up"
Its a cold night. Robert"
Gold, yes. but it's not much colder out
than in. 1t would have been better fol
you, dear. il you had married John
| Tremain."
Don't say that, Robert l have never
regretted my choice"
Not even when there is not a loaf of
bread in the house for you and the child
ren?"
mot even now, Robert. God has moi
| forsaken Us. Perhaps on Easter day the
tide will tum."
Its been Lent all the winter with US
said Robert bitterly. Day after day
have searched for employment. l have
called at fifty places and received the same
answer everywhere"
y curly-headed boy crept up to his moth
er's knee.
Mother" he pleaded, ''won't you give
me piece of bread? l am hungry-juSt d
little piece, mother"
There is no bread, Jimmy darling, y
said the mother, with an aching heart.
when will there be sOme?' asked the
little one. piteously.
Tears sprang into the mothers eyes. She
could not speak.
Jimmy. I'll 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 deS-
perate STEP. Remember, Robert" she
said. solemnly, lit is hard to starve, but
there are things that are worse"
lie shook her of, but not roughly, and
without 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
poor lodging house would be denied them.
Robert Bruce was a mechanic. competent
and skillfuL Three years since he lived
IN a country village, but in an evil hour he
moved to the city. Here lie vainly hoped
TO do better. For a while he was success
full, but he found his lodging house poor
substitute for the cottage that had been his
country home. He saw his mistake, but
was too proud to go back though his wife
pinned to do so.
Then a tine 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 neighbor 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 promise
to little Jimmy. He was absolutely penni-
less, and had been so for three days. There
was nothing that he was likely to find to do
that night
Il will pawn my OvercOat" he said. 81
cannot see my wife and children starve."
1t was a well-wOrn Overcoat and the
night was raw with the clustering winds of
March. He was so weakened by fasting
that he was shivering even while wearing
il, and needed something much warmer.
Yes" he said, lit must go. L don't
know how l shall get along without it, but
L cannot hear the poor little ones cry for
bread"
He was not i'm general an envious man.
but when he saw the slick, well-fed citi-
Zens buttoned up to the chin in warm over
coats coming out of their grand homes,
while his children were starving. he had
some bitter thoughts of the inequality of
fortunes gifts. Why should they be
happy while he was so miserable?
There was a man just passing with his
hands thrust deep in the pockets of his
shaggy overcoat. There was jolly smile
ON his face. He was doubtless thinking
of a pleasant circle at home. Robert
knew him as rich cabinet
maker, whose ample warehouse he often
passed. He applied to this man only Two
days before for employment and had been
refused. just as he passed Robert Mr..
Grimes drew his handkerchief from his
pocket As he did so he did not perceive
that his pOcketbOok came with it and fell
A. n -
Robert did.
His heart leaped into his mouth and
sudden temptation entered his mind. He
bent quickly down and picked up the
pOcketbook. He saw that his movement
had not been noticed. Mr.. Grimes went on
unconscious of his loss.
This will buy bread for my wife and
children" thought Robert, instantly.
A vision of the comfort the money would
bring into that cherries room lighted up
his heart for an instant, but then he was
not dishonest. Conscience spoke. The
money was not his, much as he needed IT,
"But can't see my wife and children
starve." he thought. God has sent this
He dropped it in my way-it will save their
lives-a life is worth more than anything
God Will forgive me-"
But all this was sophistry and he knew
it. In moment he felt it to be So. There
were some things worse than starvation.
Dolly had said so the last thing before he
came out. Could he meet her gaze if he
returned with food so obtained.
1--WE lived honest SO far. / wont turn
thief now" he said.
lie hurried after the owner of the pocket
book with Jimmy's cry for bread sounding
i'm his ears. 1t was with a sublime effort
that he stepped forward and placed his
hand on the tradesman's shoulder and ex-
tended the hand that held the pOcketbOok.
Thank yOu," said Mr.. Grimes. turning
round; Il hadn't perceived my loss. I'm
much obliged to you"
You have reason to be-" said Robert. in
a low voice. ~ was very near keeping
it."
''That would have been dishonest" said
Mr.. Grimes. his tone altering slightly.
Eyes, it would; but it is hard for man
to be honest when he is penniless and his
wife and children without crust"
surely you and your family are not in
h at condition." said Mr.. Grimes, earnestly.
Yes" answered Robert, lit is too
true. For two months l have looked for
work in vain. l applied to you two days
ago."
Il remember you now. / thought had
seen you before. You still want work."
Il should feel grateful for It."
my foreman left yesterday. VIII you
take his place at $50 a week."
Thankfully, sir" cried Robert, tremb-
ling with JOY.
Then come tomorrow morning, and