Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-10-27

SncWotkeu nara ana words or blows could |
always procure him something from the tav.
cru. So he went on in the old course, and
a merry life he led. -s9
One night as early rs ten o'clock-for the
girl had been sick for many days, and there
MAS consequently little to spend at the pub
lie bouse--he bent his steps homeward, be-
thinking himself that il he would have her
10 earn money. il would be as well 10 apply
to the parish Surgeon, or, at all events, 10
take the trouble Of inquiring what allied her.
which he had not vet thought il worth while
10 do. Ii was wet December night the
wind blew piercing cold, and the rain pour
ed heavily down He begged few half
pence from passer BY, and having bought
small loaf-for it was his intention TO keep
the girl alive if be eould-he shuilled on.
wards, as fast as the wind and rain would
let him AT the back of Fleet street, and
lying between il and the water side, are
several mean and narrow courts, which
form portion of Whiiefrars, and il was to
one OF these he directed his steps.
| The alley into which he turned might for
filth and misery have competed with the
darkest corner Of this ancient sanctuary 10
its diriest aud most hwless time The
houses varying from two stories in height.o
four, were stained with every Undesirable
hue that long exposure to the weather, damp
and roitenness can impan 10 tenemen,s com
posed originally Of the toughest and coarses
materials The windows were patched
with paper, and with the foulest rags the
doors were fallen from their hinges poles
with lines on each 10 dry clothes, projected
from every easement, and sounds Of quar-
reIIing or drunkenness issued from every
room.
The solitary oil lamp in the centre Of the
court had been blown out either by the vio-
n lence OF the wind, or the act of some in
habilant who had excellent reasons for Oh
jecting TO his residence being rendered TOO
conspicuous and the only light which fell
, upon the broken and uneven pavement was
/ derived from the miserable candles that here
and there twinkled in the rooms OF such oil
the more fortunate residents as could afford
to indulge in such an expensive luxury. "A
gutter ran down the centre Of the allcy-al
the sluggish odours Of which had been cal
led forth by the rain; and as the wind whis
/, tied through the old houses, the shutter.
crooked upon their hinges, aud the wind
h ows shook in their frames with violenc,
!, which every moment seemed TO threaten th
d destruction OF the whole place. 70 81 'en
h The man whom we have followed int
. ffiffs ZEN walked on in darkness, sometime
: stumbling into some branch repository Q
garbage which had been formed by the rain
# until he rrac he'd the last house in the cour
:. The door, or rather what was l,ft OF i
~ stood ajar, for the convenience of the nj
e merous dodgers. and he proceeded TO grou
$, his way up the old and broken staircase t
IL the attic story.
II lie was within step or two of his ROOF
&c door, when it opened. and girl, whose mi
ID cradle and emaciated appearance was onl
ID 10 be equalled by That OF the candle whic
ID she shaded with her hand, peeped anxiousl
A. out n Hlt ns ehsai
or "Is that your faiher2" said the girl.
."Whe else should il be7 replied the ma
n, gruffly Whit are you trembling att IL
/, little enough that had to drink to-day. thei
,e is no drink wthou, money. and no none
:. without work. What The devil is the matt,
@. with the girl2
il. Al am not WE'LL" said the girl, burstin
H. into tears
ne "Ah - replied the man. in the tone
er one who is compelled TO admit very u
a, pleasant fact; 10 which he would rather 7
rs main blind If he could. "You must G
or better somehow, for we must have none
or You must go to the parish doctor. and NAL
Nh him give you some medicine. They
MS paid for il, d--nem. What are you stan
ing before the door for 2 Let me come
d. can't you" M na Ha ao
n. Father" whispered the girl, shutting Il
Id door behind her, and placing herself befo
ed it,"Willam has come back" vias
as "Who2' said the man. with start.
SIS 'Hush," said the girl. William, broth
nd William. s.a e.
er- "And what does he want" said the ma
~ with an effort at omposure--''money Q
meat2 drink2 He's come 10. the wror
"A shop for that. if he does Give me the ca
: ~ de'; and snatching it from her hand
&c walked into the room. m ss IA
81 Sitting on an old box. with his head re-
~ ing on his hand. and his eyes 6xed on
= wretched cinder fire that was smoulderiI
"a on the hearth. was young man OF abo
80 two and twenty. miserably clad in an o
! ; coarse jacket and trowsers He started
- when his father entered.
~ sFasten the door. Mary said the your
"a man. hasiily---"fasten The door You lo'
- as if you din't know me. father. It's lol
-, enough since you drove me from home !.
~ you may well forget mel aA sl
~ "And what do you want here now 2" sa
~ the faiher, seating himself on II stool on Z
y, "a other side Of the fire place. -What do y
49, want here now ~ a us g har soils (.
~ l. attChaltar ~ ranl,ad Tho 0Ii m in trotl