The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-31
The Story of New Years Gift.

couple married but few years, who
had lost everything through illness and
misfortune. decided to come 10 Chicago
before winter set In to try 30 secure 30 me
sort of employment that would yield q
living. The husband had been an ac-
countant and office man, and the wife
had good general knowledge Of aud ex-
perience in office work.
They rented q suit of cheap rooms on
the West side. and then followed days
and days of weary ssekipg, almost a
house to house canvass OF the down town
district, leaving applications wherever
the managers would permit.
I'VE can't give you any encouragement
In these times. We are not taking on
any new mon.
"Our business hardly warrants our
keeping our old employees. but We can't
discharge or get rid OF them till they die
of. You refere noes ars all right, and II
tim es were different. etc.
And when Sunday came there was
scurryipg for stationery and for stamps
out OF the thin purse TO answer ads. ANY
one who has answered advertisements In
tho Sunday papers knows what it means
to reply to what seems something promis-
ing and then wait urst with hoping,
tnen with n sinking heart, for tho post
man Monday afternoon and tuesday
morning. When there were no letters
by Wednesday, they consoled Themselves,
scarcely daring TO look into each others
eyes. by saying that the HIM were fnves-
tiRating their references, which would, of
course, occasion delay. Dut one day was
like another, with Its truuaing, trying
and waiting.
The purse beoa me empty and the meals
scanty, and the rent due. and after the
first month the furnace sent up little
heat and the landlady's "good morn
ing was frigid. They shut the doors
more quietly as they went in and out and
wore shabbier clothes, and their steps
grew heavier as their faces grew less
hopeful.
One night the husband came home
without his cuff buttons, and next morn
ing wore pair Of his wife's. but there
were steak and coffee for supper. In a
few days he left his watch down town
and wore an old fashioned silver one tnat
had beeu his fathers, and then they de-
cided they could get along without that,
too And there was nothing more to
pawn. The man several years before had
helped a lawyer out Of tight place loan
ing him small sums several times. He
dropped In To SEQ him In the chamber nf
commerce building ana asked him FOR
dollar or two. The lawyer stepped out to
get the money, and. strangely enough,
forgot 10 come lack at all.
The wife had packed two pieces of
rare French bric-u- brac in her trunk,
and II she could sell them-in great
city there were always people who w5re
glad to get hold Of artistic curios, /. you
could find the right people.
The pieces Of china were worth from
$50 to 800, but husband and wife agreed
TO part with them for $25 If a purchaser
could be found. A curio dealer down
town offered her 81. 80 ''They are
French. 4 here Ia no demand at present
fer things Of the kind. but II you want
TO leave them will give you dollar snd
half or so, said be. The wife next
started to visit houses on "A fashionable
Boulevard, and was either denied admit
tance by n naughty servaut or suuer-
cilious dame refused even To look at the
pieoes-tbe like of which could not be
foupd outside an art museum. She
never bought from peddler,. she ex-
plained: then long. weary walk home
ana only bread aud ten for supper.
For two or three Sunday nights they
had attended Rev. DIR. ID. church b.
sides being a most learned ana eloqent
preacher. DIR. ID appeared To them man
OF large heart kindly impulse and In
tense sympathies whose whole person
atty beamed with love and kindlinfss
The little woman hopefully decided TO go
10 this minister and ask his assistance.
Surely In 50 large and wealthy churcn
the pastor would know of some philan
lhropically inclined parshioner who
would be glad to help a struggling fol-
low creature as well as 10 acquire the
beautiful objects Of art. Reading in the
papers Of philantbropists giving thou
sands for charity, she thought ID only
needed that they should know any one to
bo worthy OF assistance and they stood
with hands outstrctched. A minister of
Christ's love and mercy would surely
help her But she was from the country
and ala not X o =.
She called al 20 residence OF DIR. ID.
In % few words she tod him her story.
He stood, glasses In hand impatient for
her 10 finish, not asking her To sic.
Then he replied. II am sorry. but can
40 nothing"
"Won't you look at it?" she ventured
"No, I've no time; very tusy with inn
ptrtant letters. can do nothing for you.
He hastily opened the door, almost
pushed her out, and. without even
"Good morning, shut .he door.
lie litts an came 10 me. l could
not buy. but | gave her some names Of
women Of INV acquaintance who / thought
would holp her-at least who could do so
thav pbnsa Annnu fhpyn xVaa Mrs II