The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-04
Night Scene In Poor MINIS Mouse.
ny MARY HOwITT.

it neither decidedly froze, nor did II thaw:
but between the two it was cold and
damp, and penetrated to the very bone,
even of those who sat in carpeted rooms
before large fires, and were warmly clad.
1t was on this evening that the seven lit
tie children of David Baird, the weaver,
stood huddled together in their small
room, beside small fire which was burn
ing comfor,essly. The baby lay in a
wooden cradle on the corner Of the hearth.
The fire, to be sure, gave some warmth,
because j, had boiled an iron pot full of
potatoes, but it gave very little cheerlness
to the room. The mother had portioned
out the evening meal-a few potatoes to
each-and she now sat down by the
round table, lighting the farthing candle,
and was preparing to do some little pie
ces of housewifery.
"May | stir the fire ?" asked David,
the eldest boy.
"No, no." replied the mother, "it
burns away too fast if it is stirred"
81 wish we had good fire." sighed
Judith, the second girl.
"Bless me-" said the mother, "it is a
good fire Why, there's Dame Grum-
by and her grandchild gone to bed be-
cause they have no fire at all I"
81 should like some more salt to my
potatoes" said little Betsey; "may
have some more, mother -
"There is none, child" she replied |;
81 put the last in the pot"
80 dear' cried out little Joey, "my
fee! are so bad they get no better, moth
er, though did beat them with holly"
"Poor thing !" sighed the mother; 81
wish you had better Shoes"
"There's pair" said Joey, briskly,
Eat Jimmy Nixon's for fourteen pence.
Fourteen pence ~ repeated the moth
er; "it would take long time to get
fourteen pence"
'Mat. Willis begged pair of nice
warm boots" replied Joey experimental
ly.
ave will not beg" said the mother,
"if we can help i,-let me see the shoes =
and Joey put one Of his frost-bitten feet
on his mothers knee.
"Bless thee poor lad said the moth
err, "thou halt not go to work again TILL
it is warmer"
"Mo,her," interrupted little Susan
i'may have some more ?"
There is no more" said she, "but
have whole loaf yet
"Oh dear, oh dear, how NICE" cret
the children, "clapping their hands
sand give Joey the bottom crnst;" sale
one, "because Of his poor feet'
"And give me a big bii," cried Susan
holding out a ltlle Cat hand.
The mother divided the loaf, setting
as piece for her husband and pre-
Sc tly the husband came.
1t rains, and is very cold" said he,
shiyering.
Please God" rejoined the mother
81! will be warmer after the rain"
David Baird was tall, thin man, will
an uneasy look-not that he had any
fresh cause of uneasiness-hs wages haC
not been lowered his hours of labor hat
not been increased nor had he quarrel
led with his mastcr bu, the life of poo
man is an uneasy liie--a life of care
WEAKNESS and never ending anxietics
What wonder, then, if his face have
joyless look !
The children made room for their faith
err by the fire; Susan and Neddy place.
themselves between his knees, and hi
wife handed him the portion Of svppe
which had been set aside Cor him.
Mary, the eldest girl, was sitting on
box, feeding the squirrel with the brea
which her mother had given her-sh
was very happy, and kissed the squire
many times; Judith was sitting besid
her. and David held the cup GU! Of whicl
the squirrel drank.
"Nobody has enquired after the SOUR
REL" said the father, looking at them.
"No." replied Mary, "and hope no
body will"
"They will not now" said the young
er David, "for it is three months sine
We found it,
1--WE might sell it for half crown,
said the father; Mary looked frigh,ene
and held the squirrel to her bosom.
"Josey's feet are very bad" remarke
the mother.
"And that doctors bill has never bee
paid" said the fa,hel--"sevcnteen shi
lings and sixpence.
"'Tis more money than we can get
aweek," sighed the mother.
III 60 round by the back lane, 10 avoi
Ok passing the door, said the father, ian