The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-13

. ~ q y EF "a a In
You had better bring little Ellen home,s
with you, had you not Mary could at-(
ted to hermuch better than Ellen can.''
I" "lwas thinking of that myself, Ma But
you seemed SO poorly, that did not feel
like saying anything about it just now"
30 yes. Bring her home with you to-
morrow evening, byall means. II willtake
that much off of poor Ellen's hands9'
6 Then will do 50, Ma, at least iflEllen
is willing" Mary said, in a lighter tone
the idea of even that relief being extended to
her overburdened sister, causing her mind to
rise in momentary buoyancy.
Anna is late to-night," she remarked,
after pause of few moments r8m
As she said this, the door opened, and the
sister of whom she spoke entered
6 on are late tonight, Anna, her rmother
said "4"" @s@ E"e
Yes, rather later than usual. had to
take few small articles home for lady,
after left the store, who lives in Sixth near
Spring Garden
In Sixth near Spring Gardenp'
es. The lad who takes home goods
had gone, and the lady was particular about
having them sent home this EVENING"
| Do you not feel very tiredn'
"lndeed ! do" the poor girl said, sinking
into a chair g feel sometimes, as if
must give up No one in our store is al
lowed to sit down from morning till night
The other girls dom tappear to mind itmuch;
but beforeA evening, it seems as if must
drop to the Moor But won't complain
she added, endeavoring to rally herself, and
put on cheerful countenance. elbow have
you been to-day MAJ"
eff yon won't complain, am sure that
have no right to, Anna'' ..'a
"You cannot be happy, of course, Ma;
that know too well. None of us, | fear,
will ever be again happy in this worldr'
Anna said, in tone of dependency, her
spirits again sinking.
No one replied to this; and a gloomy ST.
lence OF many minutes followed quiet
almost as oppressive as the stiffness that
relgns In the chamber of death. Then Mary
commenced busying herself about the eve
ming meal @N'" 'y hs''S'@@ y ="
g Tea is ready, Ma and Anna,'' she at
length said, after their frugal repast had been
placed upon the table. ,.....
g Has not Alfred returned yet2'' Anna
asked.
"No," was the brief answer "
Hadn't we better wait for him %
tie knows that it is time, and ought to
be here, if he wants any,' the mother said.
ou are tired and hungry, and we will not,
OF course, walt.o
The little family, three in number. gath
cred around the table, but no one eat with
an appetite Of the food that was placed be-
lore them. There were two vacant places
at the board, The husband and son-the
father and brother-where were obey?
In regard to the former, the presentation
Of a scene which occurred few weeks pre-
vious will explain ALL First, however a
brief review of the past seven years is ne
cessary. After llr. Graham's failure in busi-
ness, he gave himselfup to drink, and sunk,
with his whole family, down into want and
obscurity with almost Unprecedented rapidity.
He seemed at once to become strangely in
different to his wife and children-to loose
regard Tor their welfare. in fact, he had be-
come, In degree, insane from the sudden
reverses which had overtaken him, combin-
ed with the bewildering effects of strong
drinks, under whose influence he was con-
stantly labouring.
Thus left to struggle on against the pres
sure OF absolute want, suddenly and unex-
pectedly brought upon them, and with no
internal or external resources upon which TO
fall promptly back, Mrs. Graham and her
daughters were for time overwhelmed with
despair. Alfred, to whom they should have
looked for aid, advice, and sustenance. in
this hour of severe trial, left almost entirely
to himself, as far as his father had been con
cerned, for some two years, had sunk into
habits OF dissipation from which even this
terrible shock had not the power to arouse
him. Having made himself angry in his
opposition to, and resistance of, all his
mothers admonitions, warnings, and per-
he seemed to have lost all alfSc-
ton for her and his sisters SO that sense
OF their destitute and distressed condition
had no influence over him-at lesSt, not
sufficient to arouse him into active eXertlons
ior their support. Thus were hey left ut
terly dependent upon their own resources
and what was worse, wer' ourdened with
the support of both fathe and bl
The little that each hld been
from the general wreai, was, as
sustenance, but smal, Two or
...o.oL II - hts with yarions ..