Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-11-16
lFrom the WaShingtonian.l
The Pot of Boiled MEiIk.

| Some time ago after juvenile temperance
procession had been dismissed called a chub-
| by checked f1axen haired lille boy 10 me. Why
do you walk with the other boys and wear that
badge my little fellow? said |. Why because
am temperance boy, said he, quickly, and
his bright eyes gslened with JOY as he recount
ed to me, in his ariless manner the pleasure he
had fel, on that day But, said |, you have not
We, told me what temperance means Why re-
piled he, il means that we must not drink whs-
key. Before he could reply to my questions, a
fine looking lad, about Ia years of age, called
you know mother is waiting for u.s." Eyes,
,leman awhile, I'll CO." James drew near, and
after learning the point at issue, said his broth
er Charley was too young TO tell The reason
why he ought TO love the temperance society,
but, said he, if you will just come with me 10
that bench under that big oak, will tell you
why we do love it.
Agreed, my fine little fellow, said |. Hav-
ing seated ourselves in the cool shade, | took
Charley on my knee, and James related as fol-
lows:
"Many persons have asked me what such
liule boys as we are, could possibly know about
temperance | have not always had time, as
now have to tell the reason, and mother will
forgive US for delaying, as this is a holiday.
When was smaller boy than now am, my
father would frequently come home very drunk,
and whenever he did come home in that state,
we were always sure 10 get kick or cult
from him. So we began 10 fear his coming so
much that we would hide ourselves behind mo-
theirs chair whenever he came in. One day
| father came home so drunk that he could scarce
Iy stand without some support He stood In
the doorway gazing at us as we sat around the
little fire, eagerly waiting until the milk should
be ready for us. AS soon as we saw father,
we knew that we should have no milk, for he
had not eat anything that day, and we knew
tha, he would have something 10 eat If II was
in the house. He looked al us for some time,
as if 10 find out something to swear at. asa
rah, why hav'nl you got supper ready, you
lazy wench, you. Come stir out of that chair,
or I'll teach you better, you good for nothing
hussey you7" Mother trembling rose from the
chair, while the big tears rolled down her pale
cheeks We began 10 cry too; this only made
matters worse. Why don't you move faster you
lazy wench, you're too lazy 100 move, said he.
NV poor meaher's tears flowed afresh at this
brutal remark She looked al my father lmplo-
ringly, for a moment, when she said, John, you
know we have nothing 10 eat but lille boiled
milk, which Mr.. B. was good enough to send
for the children. Milk! milk! hey! why that's
wha, I've been thinking about! Come, sill
about let's have the milk, said he. He stag
gered 10 seat al The table, The chair.on which
he attempted TO sill was an old broken one, and
he fell with it, and lay for some time perfectly
lbol,lasc Alior thraa mr. Copr vain afiamDfS f(
rise, he called TO my mother. Here, Sally, why
dom. YOU help me, you see I'm sick and weak
come help. My mother obeyed, and placed
him in stronger chair Now SAL SAID he
let's have the soup. My poor mother looked
first al father and then al us, as we sat COVER
ing in the chimney corner. the big tears rollin.
no, enough for the children, they eat nothing
to-day yet.
Children, hey! children! what business have
they TO eat, bring it along, or III break ever,
bone in your body, and seizing part OF the bro
ken chair he threw il at mother. Fortunatel,
it missed her, but glancing from the wall |
struck little Charley on the arm with such forc
as to bruise j; very much. The poor little fel
low screamed with pain. Oh, mother, said he
papa hurt me so much. Hush your squallin
there, you noisy brat, SAID he, lhlccupping) 0
I'm teach you manners!!! Poor Charley wa
quiet in an instant.
Is that boiled milk coming, say, said falbel
Poor mother, trembling and weeping, sci oil
little po, before him: As she turned away fror
The table she looked at US again, saying, poo
children, they will starre, and KnoS<srot wher
TO get mouihful Of food for them, and she wer
bitterly.
Siarve, hey! cried my father, well lie, ihe'
starve-they're only trouble any how! Go
forgive you, John, for your unkindness, was a
that my ysmolher said.
Hearing my mothers last words, he locke
at her for an instant SO fiercely, that though
Il should have sunk through the floor. lie ros
from his seat and made step towards her,
God forgive who? me! There take ihai--an
he struck her a violent blow on the side oil ne
o head. She uttered faint scream and fell I
!. the floor, bleeding and senseless. Seeing wha
= he had done, and fearing he had killed her, ia
| loC IL. Ehori nd