The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-02-02

It seemed at the approach, it was, within,
the abode of poverty and des,itulion.
The children we're huddled together in
one corner of the chimney striving to
f kindle fire with sticks picked up under
) the hedges, to boil dinner of turnips
} the entire plant being cut up root and top,
, and seasoned with lard. The mother
: spoke with some emotion when she allu-
ded TO the wants of her children, which
she could not relieve. | asked permits
: sion to 90 up stairs she hcstated; my
guide shook her head, and desisted
She afterwards told me, that the filth and
stencil were unexpectedly offensive; but
on explaining my motive, she made no OPP
position TO similar request.
Here, as everywhere else, purchased
a welcome by distributing a few pence
among the children, and occasionally put
ting piece of silver into the hands of the
mothers.
entered a third cabin. Here the
green earth smiled again, as did the mod
est lurze and glossy holly. that fel, not
the approach Of winter, The floor was
much like the first. Near the middle sat
the mother peeling potatoes, which she
threw into pot at her side half filed
with water. introduced myself on eve
ry occasion by saying, that came from
beyond the seas, and wished to inform nv
| pnn hn,r al, L.. =.
England. Sixpence brought forth will
ling answers to interrogalories which |
put without stint.
GLOW many children have you!"
Eight" .'What did they feed upon this
morning ?'-"Polatoes." "What will
you give them for dinner?" 'These po-
taioes }ou see me peelng." "Nothing
else - mo; nothing else '.Have
you no meat, TO milk, no butter Tor
them :" She made no reply, fixed her
eyes upon them and sobbed aloud. But
her countenance suddenly frightened into
a smile, and che said with clear voice,
Thank God salt is cheap" Bat her
Joy was transient beam for her ewes
again overlooked at she showed me her
eldest daughter, fourteen years of age,
whom she made rise to her feet. Her
tatlered garments scarcely concealed her
sex; il left her bare to her knees behind, |
while 1t danged To the ground in front. !
She blushed deeply, for want had not ex-
ungul.h he'd the modesty OF nature, as her
mother drew aside the rags that covered |
her snowy skn.-"Thesc," said she,
"are all the clothes my child has; she
cannot 60 TO school in them; besides, she
is obliged to stay at home TO take care of
the children" This was palpably true,
for her wasted form tottered under a bur
den that would soon add another inmate
to this abode Of misery.
The other children were grouped near
the elder sister, sitting on the naked
hearlh.-Their little hands and feet were
red with cold: their features were set in
melancholy; they were not playful, as
became their innocent years: no, it has
been truly said, that the children of the
English poor know no childhood Sor-
row begins with life; they are disciplined
TO privaton from the cradle. From the
cradle did say 81 saw no cradle, and |
verify believe that such luxury was new
er known by the child Of an English la
borcr.
In the corner Of the chimney was an
old man, sitting on his launches. putting
taggo,s to Il fire intended to boil the po-
tatocs. "Who is that?" 81, is old Mr..
------, he has no home and we lets him
stay with us" lie was eighly-three
years of age, and parlook with the chill
dren his portion Of potatoes and salt.
| asked one of the little girls, where
was the cat The mother answered they
had none, "for cat must eat" "IIave
you dog'' "No, we cannot keep
dog, besides he disturbs the game"
"Bat you have cock tc COW for day 2"
mo, we have none"
felt sort of horror come over me at
the absence of these animals, sacred to ey-
cry household cat, the companion
and pastme of little children; the dog,
the well-tried ,rus,y friend of man; the
cock, whose joyous song halls the coming
day-yet poverty, that bitter, bllgh,ing
curse, has expelled even these from the
cottages of the English peasant. "Can
your husband read ?"
Eyes, he can read the easy parts Of the
Bible"
"Can you read ;"
"No, never went to school,"
slow many apartments are there in
your house 7"
1.-Two, one below and another above"
"May ! 90 up stairs ?"