The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-07-18
Miscellaneous.
A Night Scene
IN A POOR NJ ANS USE.
BY MARY HowITT.

1t was in the middle Of winter, on the night of the
twenty third of January, when the weather was mis-
erabY cod neither decidedly roze, nor yet did
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
qe children Of David Baird, the weaver stood hud-
died together in their small room, beside a small fire,
which was burning comfortlessy. The baby lay in
wooden cradle on the ofthe hearth. The fire,
10 be sure, gave some warmth, because it had boiled
iron pot full Of potatoes, but it gave very little
cheeriness TO the room. The mother had portoned
out the evening meal,-a few potatoes, to each-and
she set down by the round table, lighted the far
thing candle and was preparing to do some little piece
of housewifery.
MAY stir the fire p asked David the eldest boy.
'No. no. replied the mother; sit burns away too
fast if it is stirred
Il wished we had good fre!' sighed Judith, the
second girl.
BLESS me!' said the mother, sit is good fire!
Why, there's Dame Grumpy and her grand-child
gone to bed because they had no fire at ALL
Il should like some more salt to my potatoes said
| tile Betsy; may have some mother?'
There is none, child she replied; Il put the last
in the pot
90, dearn cried our little Joey, smy feet are so
bad! they get no better, mother, though l did beat
them with holly
'Poor thing!' sighed the mother, Il wish yon had
better Shoes
There's pair said Joey, briskly, sat Jimmy
Nixon's, for fourteen pence
Fourteen pence!' repeated the mother; stwould
take long time to get fourteen pence,''
Mat. Willis begged pair Of nice warm boos,' re-
piled Joey, expermentaly.
sWe viii not beg said the mother, 'if can
help it-but let the shoes and Joey put mp.
of his frost bitten feet on his mothers knee.
'Bless thee! my poor lad said the mother, thou
shalt not go to work again till it is warmer
Mother interrupted little Susan, may I have
some more! ?
'There is no more,' said she, 'but have whole
loaf yet
ooh DEAR oh dear, how nicep cried the children,
clapping their hands; sand give Josey the bottom
,crust;' said one, sbecause OF his poor feet!'
Sand give big Bit, cried Susan, holding out
a little fat hand
sThe mother divided the loaf, setting aside piece
for her husband; and presently the husband came.
st rains, and is very cold, said he shivering.
'P ease God,' rejoined the moher,'it will be warm
err after the rain.
David Baird was tall, thin man, with AN uneasy
look-not that he had any fresh cause OF uneasness
his wages had not been lowered his hours ofwork
had not been increased; nor had he quarelled with
his master; bu: the life of apoor man is uneasy
life-a life of care, WEAKNESS, and never-ending anx
ieties. What wonder then if his face have joyless
look?
The children made room for their father by the
fire; Susan and Neddy placed themselves between
his knees, and the wife handed him the portion of
supper which had been set aside FOR him.
Mary, the eldest girl, sitting box, feeding
tbo bro,J bor nd her
she was very happy and kissed the squirrel many
times; Judith was sitting beside her, and David held
the cup out Of which the squirrel crank
Nobody has inquired after the SQUIRREL said the
father looking at them.
NO. replied Mary, 'and hope nobody WILL
'They will not now said the younger David, 'for
it is three months since we found it,
sWe might sell it for haf-a-crown said the father;
Mary looked frightened and held the squirrel to her
bosom.
sJoey's feet very bed, remarked the mother
sAnd that Doctors bill has never been paid said
the father-'seventeen shillings and sizpence'
TITS more money than we can get in week.
sighed the mother.
go round by the back lane, to avoid passing the
doctors door, said the father 'and he has asked me
for it three times
eWe will get it paid in the summer rejoined the
mother hopefully; shut Goals raised, and bread
they say, will rise before the week is out.
Lord help u.s. exclaimed the father internally.
MARY, fetch the other CANDLE, cried the mother,
as the arhng candle burnt low in the stick, and then
went out.
There is not one,' replied Mary; I'VE burnt out
the other last night
Have you farthing, David'' asked the wife.
Not one,' replied he, rather hastily.
Nor have we one in the house, said the wife; 81
paid all we had for the bread
Stir up the fire then > said David.
Nay rejoined the wife; scoals raised.'
Lord help usr again sighed David, and two of
the children began coughing. 'Those children's
coughs no better!' remarked the father somewhat
lmpatiently And then the baby woke-and SO did
betsy, who had fallen asleep the floor unobserv
ed, crying Il am SO cold, mother! am so cold!'
Go to bed with her, Mary said the mother 'for !