The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-12-02
SeasOnable 9torp,
THE CHRIST CHILD.

the depth of several feet. Even the mar
row path that led to the wicket gate Of
the little cottage was almost impossible,
by reason it, for Robert Hazel strength
was unequal to clearing it away; he was
nearly 10, and his hands were knotted anc
! cnarled with rheumatism. HIS eompan
ion. but a few years younger than himself,
was still more feeble and almost as inca
paeiated for aeti Fa6Oy She had been
pretty girl once nd was sweet looking
! old woman now, but her features were
pinched from want. and her limbs shIver
ing with the cold There was no FIRE II
! the crate. aud no wood to kindle one with
the cupboard was empty-there was moth
/ Ing in the cottage either to eat or drink.
/ Il suppose, said the old woman in :
tremulous voice. ''thst there is no help iol
/ it. master, and that it must be
1t shall never be, whilst | have the
powcr to take your life and my own !! re
! Piled her husband sternly.
why whatever do you mean, my
man
tie left his seat and came aud sat OF
an old settle by her side, where he could
touch her hand
Il mean just this, my woman, he SAID
+ kindly. Il swors years and years agon'
/ that | would die sooner than 90 10 The
union. and meant vha, | said
/ But what can We do else, Robin, she
asked. with piteous eyes fixed upon hi.
+ fine old face. Neither of US can work
/ and We re a most starved with cold and
I hunger. What's before US but the union.
oh deary, desry me, she contipaedt
to think we We brought a sou and dAugh
+ ter into the world aud neither Of then
/ can save us from til.
listen to mc, my woman, said ha
rel. lit isn fair of Us even to think O.
coming back upon our children, The poo
things can do more than keep themselves
/ What can Patty do with ten pounds yea
wages. aud 20, to keep herself in deccn
clothing into the bargain ? And as to
I Ioe. why he's been the best Of boys, 8.
yoa know wcll bu, be works hard enough
10 support his wife aud li,Jle ones, and I
man can be expected to do moro- / IA sur
b. mist have soTcly missed that severely
I be sent us last Easter, and ? raPs II IA
wrvnE II him To scud il; for sou remem
Der What the Scripture says-ihat mat
shall leave father and mother and cleay'
70 his wife
All I'm sure our Joe would neSo
/ have left Us. if be had known shat we VI
a suing TO suffer for want Of him !
Perhaps NOT. replied her husband
bat what, done can be uudoue, an
!. les better 10 make an end Of H. once an
forever
Bat how. Robin demanded the ol.
wosaaa ia a frightened voice
There vas something 10 her tone whicl
recalled the pas, To him. and be remc'a
ber.si how. when she vas ,Imid, blu
eyed giyl. she used to fy to him fur pro
sestion asAins, every fsucied danger II
pat with some difficulty his stitfened aFH
Toasd her bent body. and inclined hi
/ arizrle,i beard little nearer % her face
We sc been uan and wife, Mary. nos
for oyer forty YEAR, he said, and 70
know that dunug that time I've worke
for you and your to the BEST Of N
power.
AYE that you have, Robin, ny man
.he cried. 'YOu We been a good husban
and good father, aud the Lord viii n
ward YOU for il And for more than fort
years 80 sc slept ON the same P1ller, an
never lay down at night with bard vor
atween u. have Us now ? she added, fol
getting the pain Of labor in the sweetnee
Of love
.sYes. ycs but that's all over now
They don let husbands aud wives see eac
other exoep, at meals, when they geI
their skilly in the work Us over the b.
there.
They Il 90 to part US exclaimed b
wife in horror
Ave that they viii, Mary, If the
gets the chance. They Il make Us live o'
the rest Of our lives pining for each other
company. You Il never make me goo
hot cup Of tea again, not Yet darn uP IN
old socks, nor rub me for the rheumaties.
..Oh il will break my heart erie
the Old woman
sWouldn il be better to 70 away I,
gether, Mary, TO some place where no OF
can part Us, and where we shall be frs
from all pain and hunger aud dread Of II
union for eyermore
Yes, sure, if there is such place; b'
you frighten me when you talk ike thai
Robin There's something strange
YOUR eve as | never saw before, and whle
makes me think Of your oath! But you
never hurt me, my man, I'm sure
that -
No. not for worlds There's ney,
been time since fust eourted you that
wouldn't have laid down my life fC
your n. But my life : already over NJ
strength has gone from me and can, Ii
my hand to get you even a bit Of bread
If folks wculd be a little patient with m'
might still do little work in gardenin
and such like, but they re all SO qaic
nowadays. and want everything iinishe
in a hurry, and can't hurry any more
my woman. | have pains all over my po,
limbs
ats the want of good fire and goo
meal, said Mary, weeping. My bonn
Robin, as was the strongest man for mile
round-its $ cruel to see you come down
such pitch.
''Well, you see, my dearie, IN no GOO
in the world, and there none as we ca
justly call upon to help US, so the sOont
we re out of it the better for all Of us
But | couldn't 60 and leave you behinc
Mary. We've been too long together ft
that. IF go, you must come along {
me-
s'Where to, Robin?' she inquired trent
ling.
"Ah ! that's $ more than can tell you
my lass; but, anyways, we'll go together
Don't look at me like that, Mary; it
nothing that will hurt you, only littl
drink as will put you into a beautifl
dreamless sleep and make you forget a
your troubles. -
"Where is it?" she asked, guessin
what her husband meant.
He drew small vial from his pocket.