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THREE FRIENDS
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crankier than ever. I tried to get along with him — honest, I did! But he kept naggin' at me, and today I couldn't stand it no longer. He said something and we had a scrap — that's all!"
"Never mind," comforted Hazel; "we've got some money ahead, you know, and you'll soon get another place."
But another place was not so easily procured, even tho every mill was
that had been so shining and homelike a few months before, and looking at Hazel's pretty, pathetic face, as she tried to hush the fretful, hungry child, formed a desperate, half-crazed resolve. He had tried every plan he could think of, had exhausted every effort, to make a living for his wife and babe. For days he had scarcely tasted food, and his body was exhausted, his brain reeling, as he called Hazel, gently. She came, look
REDUCED TO DIRE POVERTY
running full time, for the vengeful Jim returned an unfavorable answer to all inquiries about Ned's character. The little store of savings was soon exhausted; then, one by one, their most cherished possessions were pawned or sold outright. The roses in Hazel's cheeks faded; Ned's face grew hard and sullen ; even the baby wilted under the blighting influence of poverty, and forgot his cunning ways and pretty prattle.
There came a day when Ned, standing in the middle of the little room,
ing, with piteous wonder, into his wild, desperate eyes.
"We've got to do it!" he declared, violently; "I tell you, there's no other way ! ' '
' ' Got to do what ? ' ' she asked, fearfully.
"We've got to steal, or die!" he muttered, determinedly.
"Why, Ned!" cried the wife. "Steal? No, no, we cannot do that — anything but that."
"Then listen, Hazel! I've done all a man could do to make a livin ' for you