Year: 1871


sential. The principal actor rs as modest
as he is noble. To Indicate him however
slightly, would be offensive; while to men
tion him outright, might cause him pain that
none but the maliciously cruel would wish to
mAct. Let him therefore be called Angel.
He is resident of the suburbs of the city.
In one of the adjoining counties he owns
well cultivated farm on which, during the
Fall season, he fattens number of hogs.
These are slaughtered in November, and the
hams and sides sent into Angel, who has a
large smoke-house, where he takes particu-
lar pride, under his own eye, in curing them.
Christmas this year found the hooks nearly
full.


1t was Angels custom to go into the
smoke-house every day to inspect the hams.
Sometimes he would take one down to probe
it, or to carry it to the kitchen of the family
dwelling, only few PAGES distant, for con
sumption. The smoke-house was his pride,
in fact, so long as it contained the visible
evidences of his industry in the curing line.
Not unfrequently he had a friend with him
to share in his admiration and the visitor
seldom departed without carrying something
Will lOlutu ItdtiN III OIOWu paper, VIII
the injunction from Angel, ''Try a slice of it
with your coffee in the morning.


1t seemed to Angel one day, in looking
up at the beams, that more of the hooks
were empty than he expected TO find in that
condition. Several subsequent visits con-
frmed him in the belief that some one was
making free with his hams. This was east
ly to be done; for as he was perfectly free
from the thought of crime, he did not see
how Others could be guilty of it; and, conse
quently had provided no lock for the smoke
house door.


A happy idea struck him. He would
watch who it was at3robbed him. He in
formed no one of his intention, but after
nightfal, took position in the smoke-house,
behind an empty cask,' directly opposite the
door, where he could observe without being
seen. He had not long to wait The clos
ed door creaked slightly on its hinges, as it
was stealthily opened from without. The
figure of man, to Angels upward oblique
line of vision, was clearly percep,ible against
the sky. The man entered and cautiously
closed the door after him.


Angel crouched down behind the cask.
The intruder advanced close to it and ignited
a match against one of its slaves. With its
light he was enabled to discover the where
abouts of the step-ladde-, which he procur-
ed and put in place. As he ascended the
ladder he lit another match which illuminat-
ed his features, as well as directed his gaze
toward the choicest of the hams This be-
trayed him. Angel ventured to throw his
head back and look upwards, which move
ment, as he happened to be in the dark,
was not detected. He had good view of
the robbers face. The man was unknown
to him, but he could have told him again
among a thousand


1t was evident this was not a professional
thief He took down only couple of hams,
descended the ladder with them, and stole
softly out of the building


Angel followed, just far enough behind
him to keep the man in sight without being
discovered by him. He traversed several
streets, entered a dark acy-way, crossed
vacant lot, and entered dilapidated frame
building.


A moment after, Angels eye was at one
of the chinks of the house. He beheld a
pallet in one corner of the room, on which
reposed, beneath a scant covering of odds
and ends of dirty blankets, the wasted form
of sick female. Three or four ragged chill
dren were seated on the carpetless floor, en-
gagged in some innocent sport, too young to
comprehend their friendess and destitute
condition. As their father entered he ad-
vanced to the sick couch, and with ten
derness as touching as it was unexpected
from one who had been caught in the act of
committing theft, said:


Bridget, have brought the childer some
thing to eat


The response was feeble, and did not
reach Angels ear. But he had seen enough
and took his departure.


The kindly heart Of the generous Angel
was full-not of revengeful thoughts. He
retraced his steps to his home; but did not
sleep much that night. His mind was busy
thinking how many temptations the poverty
stricken had to be dishonest; how few there
were who sympatbized with them in their
msfortunes; and how ready the thoughtless
and unfeeling were to take instant and Sc