Year: 1871

1t was cold, dismal evening in Nov,
that two laborers might have been seen
vending their way along the streets of a
large manufacturing town.


Slowly they proceeded, with detected
countenance, not exchanging word un-
til the one, whom we shall call Smith
halted before neat little house and un-
latched the gate. Then there was such
look of utter misery and despair gleam-
ing from his eyes, that his companion
murmured, ave must trust in God,
Smith,"


"Yes.' he articulated gloomily, and
going to the cradle he took up the six
weeks old baby, and sorrowfully pressed
it to his heart.


II do wish you would put that child
down and get ready for supper" ex-
claimed his wife, after enduring his gloom
iness for some time.


He slowly obeyed and then seated
himself at the table, with deep sigh.


"What in the world i. the matter with
you tonight p" she asked as she sa,
down opposite him.


His voice trembled as he replied, 81
suppose you might as well know first as
last, l have been discharged"


There exclaim med his wife, quickly,
pushing back her chair. "Just what !
might have expected Id like to know
what we are going to do now. Winter
coming on and all declare, Smith you
will torture me to death ~


Il am very sorroy. Lydia, but l can
not help it,


"Sorry No you are never sorry at all
You would just as leave see your wife
and children starve as not It's nothing
in the world but your poor managing"


Lydia you are cruel. Instead Of
helping me to endure my great trouble,
which is bearing me down to the very
earth, you make it ten times harder for
me to bear. / vas not the only one dis
charged, There was Jim Hawley, and
ever so many others. Business is dull y
She mimiced after him. "Always an ex.
cuse for worthless man. To think that
you should be discharged now, just as
the rent is due; and then we are out Of
wood and look at my shoes won tyou ?my
feet almost on the ground. wish I had
never married you, land dark look ac-
companied the last words The poor bus
band now covered his face with his hands
and groaned aloud. This seemed to en-
courage his wife to go on, for she uttered
words more and more bitter until at last
driven almost to a state of frenzy, the
wretched man rushed from the house to
the tavern, and there sought to bury his
thoughts of the past and future in the
rum cup.


In the meantime, James Hawley, his
companion in labor, entered his home
with very sad countenance. But be.
fore he had stepped over the threshold, a
loving pair of arms were thrown around
his neck, and a pair of sweet lips were
pressed to his. He returned the saluta-
tion sadly and then inquired for the
baby.


"She is sleeping sweetly in her cradle
She has been perfect little darling all
day. Supper is waiting; SO make haste,
here is warm water and towl Are you
not later than usual tonight T.


"Yes, Mary, | bring bad news to you.


"Bad news!' she exclaimed, turning
pale as, for the first time, she noticed
that something was wrong.


"Yes; 1 was discharged tonight, and
I do not know as 1 can get anything tc
do before Spring Business is SO dull .


lis that all Z" asked his wife with q
sigh of relief Il thought it was some
thing terrible, the way you looked"


And is it not terrible enough what
will becomes of us this winter. if am
out of employment p


"The same God who feeds the spar
rows and clothes the lilies in the fields
will not leave us suffer, dear James"


"God bless you Mary There is swee