The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-07-02

he had overtaxed his strength in caring
a his sick wife. He had gone on short
diet lad lost sleep night after night,
tie was pale, haggard and aged. He
was sick in body as well as soul.
"Was your business with Mr.. Scraggs
very particulars" the clerk asked, when
Joip recovered himself a little.
Eyes, said John, sit is matter of
great Importance to me-" And he stated
the object of his visit and told some-
thing Of the necessity that, forced him
to seek the loan.
II wish you had come before Mr..
Scraggs left, y the clerk replied, ''for /
am sure he would have given you the
assistance you want. But it is too late
now. He has no money here that can
handle or would take the liberty Of
making the advance. If you can get
along for a few days, however, l am
certain you can count on him for the
iavor when ne returns"
IF can do no better shall have to
yait,n John replied, as he left the Of
! fee, sssbut God only knows how we are
70 keep the breath of life in US unless
we have food"
John returned to his team to go.
home, but the thought Of going back:
with no money or provisions was a.
great disappointment to him. and he
could hardly make up his mind to it.
He sat down by his wagon and gazed
vacantly across the street at the display
Of goods in front Of a grocery store.
'sThere is plenty over there" he
thought, ''to keep off suffering, yet for
the want Of a few dollars l. must 20.
hungry while my wife dies of want. T.
cannot 60 back to my homo empty
handed and sit down there to wait for
starvation. There is food in tho land
and I must have it. God forgive me,
but If can steal some food III do it.
Never IN all his lie had the thought
Of such a crime come through John
Green's mind. Never before had he
contemplated, even lightly, the commits
sion Of sucia deed. And never before
would he have dreamed that the time
would come when he shosld seriously
contemplate turning thief. But no one
knows to what exteno hunger will
drive him until he has felt its pangs.
John Green resolved to become thief
in the eyes Of the world. He resolved
to take by force and stealth that which
was necessary to preserve life, and
which he could secure by no other
means. And with this determination
firmly fiXed in his mind he arose to put
it in execution. But scarcely had he
come to his feet when q strange man
accosted him, saying:
My friend, you have very faL
wagon and team there"
Yes, replied John, mechanically.
"Would you sell them?" the stranger
asked
YES" replied John, eagerly grasping
at the opportunity Of getting some
money, forgetting everything else IN
ht Of his wife. do you want
70 buy them"
81 want to buy a wagon and team to
take my family back to Missouri and
if You VIII sen yours at reasonable
price ! may take them. What do you
wantfor then?"
'Idon't know" replied John. Il he'd
not thought Of selling them. Bat ] sup
pose they ought to be worth hundred
and fifty dollars"
The man shook his head. John saw
the action and said
How much will you give, then?'
''I'll give you seventY-five,' the man
replied. ut is a small sun, | know but
moueYis VALUABLE 10 this country, and
everything else save food is cheap
Nlats all can aflord to o1ler YOU"