Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-10-25
A NARROW ESCAPE.

ne could not nelp thinking that
| it would be the best, as well as the
quickest way out of his difficulties;
Jennie and the baby would be pro-
vided for; for himself, his one desire
was their welfare.
Everything had gone wrong with
him lately. A few months back he
had been travelling for an apparently
successful manufacturing company,
earning salary which sufficed amply
to maintain his wife and child in COM
fort, and, with the expectation of a
speedy berth as agent, which would
allow him to live at home.
His troubles began with severe
attack OF grip, which with the result
ing weakness, laid him up for weeks.
The company was generous and con-
tinued his salary until one night the
factory was burned to the ground, and
all hands consequently turned out or
work. Then came the astonishing dis
covery that the concern had been
shaky for some time and needed only
this to complete its ruin.
1t was a season of universal bust
ness depression, and he had sought
continuously but in vain for a situation
which would enable him to support
his family. Sickness had made heavy
inroads on his small stock Of savings,
and that morning he had given Jennie
the last S. bill. Nor did he know
where to look for another. Fate
seemed against him. A year ago he
had proudly reckoned himself man
who could always make his way in the
world; now he had learned tAe bitter
lesson that those who are able and
willing to work may yet stand idle in
the market place, because mo man
hath hired them"
He thought, of ali this, of the unpaid
grocer's ana butchers bills, and with
difficulty restrained the groan which
might have attracted unpleasant at
tention from the passing crowd
Moreover the rent was overdue and
the premium of his life insurance
must be paid within the coming week.
If the insurance lasped it would be
hard to effect another policy, and the
thought made him desperate. Some
weeks ago, how many he could not re-
member, ne had written to his best
friend stating his plight, and asking
aid. 1t was by no means the least of
his woes that he had had no reply to
that letter. They two had been closer
than brothers and If Keene were i'll or
had failed MIN there was no help in
man. The strain of so many anxious
days and wakeful nights had been too
much for him, and he felt sick and
dIspirited in body and brain God
mad forgotten him, would the devil
help him to commit the crime which
would send him to hell?
He stood on the curb, watching
cable cars, as they swung around the
curve packed with passengers. 1t was
Just at their busiest time, when all the
working world was going home to
dinner or supper, according to its
station in life. There came to his |
memory quaint saying OF his old
nurse, Then that takes the wrong
road into the next world can't expect |
to get to the right place" Well, his
sacrifice for Jennie ard the baby
would be all the greater. He saw no
other way to provide for them.
20, God, pity and forgive me-" he
breathed, and then he rushed forward |
in front Of the changing car as it
turned the corner. 1t was raining, |
the drops freezing as they fell, and
the crossing was slippery as glass.
He stumbled and fell on the ice.
People shrieked. the car pulled up
with a sudden jerk, barely touching
HIM as the big policeman pulled him
almost from under the wheels. He
heard confusion Of noises and knew
that he had failed. Then ne felt him
self losing consciousness, and hoped
that he was dying after. all. The