baby to sleep. Three other youngsters were standing around, knowing not
what to do. On a table were some dishes, all bare of food.

"Mamma, I want more bread," one of the little ones was saying.

"You can have more in the morning, Johnny," answered the mother.

"No, I want it now," whimpered the youngster. "I'm hungry."

"I'm hungry, too," put in another little one.

"I can't give you any more to-night, for I haven't it," said the mother,
with a deep sigh. "Now, be still, or you'll wake the baby."

"Why don't dad come home?" asked the boy of seven.

"He can't come home, Bobby--he--had to go away," faltered the mother.
"Now all be still, and you shall have more bread in the morning."

The children began to cry, and unable to stand the sight any longer Joe
withdrew. Up the Alley was a grocery store and he almost ran to this.

"Give me some bread," he said, "and some cake, and a pound of cheese,
and some smoked beef, and a pound of good tea, and some sugar. Be quick,
please."

The goods were weighed out and wrapped up, and with his arms full he ran
back to the cottage and kicked on the door.

"Who is there?" asked Mrs. Cullum, in alarm.