The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-21
The Smile Of a
Child
BY EDITH v. ROSS

Iooi anu uuu not iulS Dctu given EN-
ployment-indeed. he was in debt. IL,
had wife and several small children
and found II difficult to keep them II
food aud clothing.
One day Jim was summoned 10 d
gentleman's house for the purpose OF
picking the lock OF silverware and
Jewel safe. II WIS an elegant home
and when Jim walked ON the hand.
some thick rugs he thought of the
bare floors in bis own home and could
not be reconciled TO this man having
so much and he having so little. He
was shown into a small room where n
safe was inserted into the wall. The
combination had been lost, and he was
directed TO open the safe by picking
the lock. He found the job not diff
cult one and. having arranged a COM
bination, gave 1t to the lady Of the
house and went his way.
Time came when the concern that
Jim was with determined TO reduce
its working force. and he lost his job.
His wife got sick. and the condition
OF the family was deplorable. Jim
thought what difference little mon
ey would make TO him and those he
saw suffering. He remembered the
wealth scattered about In the house
where he had fixed the lock and espe-
cially the gems and silver plate he
found in the safe he had opened
Then came the temptation to get at
that safe. open 1t and take enough of
its contents to relieve the frightful
condition of his family.
For awhile he resisted. Hk had
boy. little Jim, the apple Of his eye.
and shuddered at the idea of that boy
when he grew to manhood knowing
that his father had been criminal.
But he could not bear the strain Of
his children crying for what he could
not give them. and one night In fit
of desperation he determined to get
into the safe. One small diamond-it |
would scarcely be missed-would make
q great difference in his home.
At midnight. when not a light APP
peared In the rich mans house, Jim
raised window with Jimmy and,
the kitchen, made his way
softly upstairs. He remembered the
location Of tNe room where he had
worked on the safe and went straight
to 1t, or, rather. to an adjoining room
that led into it. A light was burning
In the hall, which enabled him to see
his way. Softly turning the knob of
The anteroom. he saw some one, a
nurse. sleeping soundly with her face
o the wall. He withdrew and tried
he door leading from the hall into
he safe room. 1t opened easily. and
lie entered. by the dim light that j
anne from without he saw child's i
RIB. A gas jet was burning low. and =
lie turned it slightly on. d
For a moment 1t seemed to him that $
lis own dear little Jim was sleeping 9
n that crib. At any rate boy just
Ike Jim was there. his two chubby
rms outside the covers. Jim studied 6
or a moment what to do. He could
hut the door, turn up the gas and I
within a minute open the safe, for
,hich he had the combination. The H
oy might not awaken. and If he did
i'm could keep him quiet He turned
D the light and was working on the !,
mob when, glancIng at the crib. he !,
aw that the child's eyes were open i
nd fixed on him. When Jim looked ii
{ him his face broke into a smile. "A
That ended Jim's attempt at bur- Il
larry. Within few seconds what he Il
eeded would be within his grasp. but OF
9 couldn't take 1t past that innocent CO
nile. He left the safe and, advanc- :
g 10 the boy, bent down and kissed +
m. The little chap seized his finger
Id held It in his little fist Jim gent
loosened the clasp and. giving the
" another kiss, left the room. He
as about to go downstairs when he
lard mans voice say:
Stand! I've got the drop on you" /
Jim obeyed. A man In dressing
'wn came out Of room and, keeping
m covered, marched him downstairs
to the dining room, where he COM
anded him to throw the plumber he l
ID taken on the dining room table. /
Il haven't any plumber" said Jim.
hough 1 could have taken the con-
nts Of your safe. l know the combi-
ton" /
Know the combination! How did
U get IT."
I'm the man who opened your safe
: You not long ago."
You that man! thought your fea.
res were familiar"
Yes" said Jim. turning his pockets
'ide out Then he told the gentle
IN his story. how he had been tempt
to come there and how he had been
red from taking any plumber by the
lie of an innocent child. IF you
Il come up to the safe ROOM" he
led. 'I'll show you that I had COM
ted the opening Of the safe"
he gentleman went with him. found
safe unlocked and the contents un-
ched. He took Jim back with him
the dining room. gave him what he
I'D find In the larder and what mon
he had in his pockets.
be said. come to my
&c and I'll give you some work to /,
in the factory OF which am presi- /,
Il. I Will send my physician to your
e and otherwise aid you. A man
o Is only melted to crime by the suf-
ngs OF his wife and children and
4 from II by the smile Of a little IL