Year: 1871




us.


cts a cold night, Robert


"Cold, yes! But its not much colder
outside than in. 1t would have been much
better for you if yeu had married John Ire
MAN, he said bitterly.


"Don't say that, Robert, I've never re-
gretted my choice.


"Not even now, when there is not loaf
of bread in the house for you and the child
rem ~


"Not even now, Robert. Don't be dis
couragcd. God has not forsaken ua Per-
haps this Christmas eve the tide will turn;
better days may dawn upon us tomorrow.


Robert Brice shook his head despondingly


"You are more hopeful than !, Jane
Day after day have been in search of en-
ployment. | have called at fifty places only
to receive the same answer everywhere"


just then little Jimmy who had been
asleep, woke up.


"Mother he pleaded" "won't You give
me piece of bread 2 | am so hungry"


"There is no bread, Jimmy darling,
said the mother with an aching heart


"W hen will there be some ?" asked the
child, piteously.


Tears come to the mothers eyes. She
knew not what to say.


Jimmy, will bring you some bread .
said the father hoarsely, and he seized his
hat and went to the door,


His wife alarmed, laid her hand upon his
sleeve. She saw the look in his eyes, and
she feared to what step desperation might
lead him.


"Remember Robert, said she solemnly,
cit is hard to starve, but there are things
that are worse


He shook oft her hand, but not rougly
and without word, passed out


Out in the cold streets! There would be
their home next For brief time longer he
had the shelter of a cheerless room in cold
tenement house, but the rent would become
due at the end Of the month, aud he had
nothing to meet it.


Robert Brice was mechanic, competent
and skillful. Three years since he lived in
a country village where his expenses were
moderate, and he foundno difficulty in meet
ing them. But in an evil hour he grew tir-
ed of his village home and removed to the
city. Here he vainly hoped to do better.
For awhile he met with very good success,
but he found his tenement house in which
he was obliged to live poor substitute for
the neat cottage which he had occupied in
the country He saw his mistake, but was
too proud to 60 back.


"Of course can't have as good accom-
modations here as in the country" he said,
"but it is something to live in, and be in the
midst of things


'1'd rather be back again." said his wife;
somehow the city don't seem like home;
there used to run in and take tea with
neighbor, and have pleasant social time;
here | scarcely know anybody"


"Youll get used to it after awhile" said
her husband.


She did not think so, but did not like to
complain.


But a time of great depression came and
with it a suspension of business enter
prises. Work ceased for Robert Brce
and many others. If he had been in his old
home, he could have turned his hands to
something else, and at the worst could have
borrowed of his neighbors till better times
But the friendly relations arising from neigh
borhood do not exist in the city to the same
extent as in the country. So day by day
he went out to seek work, only to find him
self one of large number, all of whom were
doomed to disappointment IF he had been
alone, he could have got along somehow,
but it was a sore trial to come to a cherries
room and pale wife and hungry children with
no relief to offer them.


When on that Christmas eve Robert
Brice went into the streets, he hardly knew
low he was going to redeem the promise he
had made little Jimmy. He was absolutely
penniless, and had been so for three days.
There was nothing that he was likely to find
to do that night.


81 will pawn my coat, he said at last.
ri cannot see my wife and children starve."


1t was well-worn over-coat, and that
cold winter night he needed something more
to keep him warm. Weakened by enforced
fasting, he was more sensitive to the cold,
and shivered as he walked along the pave
ment.


eyes" he said, "my coat must 60. |
know not how shall get along without it,