The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-01
From Graham.s Magazine !.
JUSTICE.
BY MRS. CAROLINE H. BUTLER
CHAPTER

CHAPTER L.
Look at that fine bakery-seei the LARGE hwy
windows are filled with the tempting leaves of
white bread There are rolls, too-aud nice but
ter-crackers, gingerbread cakes, cookies, and buns
how fine And standing at the door. large
willow basket filled with tempting loaves smoking
hot All. the baker must carry on a brisk trade,
for see there are one, two three housemaids Just
gone in, with their neat napkins, TO purchase for
their employers tea table! How the shillinps
and siXpences rattle down! How they shine as
the good baker sweeps them from the counter in
10 his money -drawer Really, MIR. Baker, YOU
have right to wear the pleasant smile!
But do you see yonder pale beggared little
wretch at the corner2 Look at his sunken eyes
his wasted frame! See those long bony fingers
He has scarcely clothes to cover him-he is with
out hat or shoes. See how his famished eve
gloats upon the bakers window and now upon the
basket at the shop door. He seems almost mind
to 90 in-he places one thin foot upon the broad
stone step.
of with you this moment
Please, SIR
'Of, tell yeu--don't be hanging round
here!'
And the boy retreats. But wonder he comes a
gain. He is by the bow window once more He
looks even paler than he did just now, He CASTS
his eye up and down the street.-The looks behind
and on each side of him. How he trembles 81
Again his eye rests upon bread-his teeth chatter
his hand shakesl What is he about to do
Again his eye wanders quickly round-ahi YES
he has taken a loaf from The basket! He is off
he runs!
Stop thiefr Stop hiefn is the cry i
They are after him-see how the multitude gath
er-the shopman leaves his counter-the shoema-
ker his bench-boys run-dogs bark-and men.
too-stout healthy men, pursue the track of the
feeble child
He fles-despar gives him speed-one can al
most hear his painting breath-his heart beats-he
reaches miserable cellar-he tumbles down the
worm eaten seps-he rushes in!
oh, mother-muther Save me-save me
Mother, they are after me! | have stolen a-oh
mother ="
And the loaf drops upon the floor-for bark
the shont-they are there-yes, the door is burst
open-the boy is surrounded But do you see
through the feet of the crowd that little starving
child crawling from yon dark corner over the slip
perry floor to pick up the bread now trampled under
foot, unconscious of all save to appease its hun
ger!
% you little theft
You 'scape gallows'
Shame on yOu-so young boy . echoes from
the crowd.
., let him gO-let the child 90! screams
miserable squaId woman, whose dark locks hang
him go. and the Lord'll bless yez!'
Let him go? Mono, indeed! Come alono
you little thief!
Och it's starving we were-and him there
sick, and not able 10 move-and my children all
with the fever! Oh, it was for these he took
the bread Oh, mercy-mercy have pity upon
him!'
ooh hol woman-we'l have uou I'D. too. if
you don't take care! You justify him, do you ?
pretty swarm you are Come along, you little
scamp, to the police!'
ened face still turned in agony upon his wretched
mother. the boy is borne off by stout constable,
followed by the gaping, idle crowd.
CHAPTER IT,
In an obscure part of the city, in a modest tive
story house, dwells Mr.. Smith an honest and in
dustrious citizen. He is merchant In the dis.
astrous times '36-7, he shared the fate of many
| others-he was bankrupted. As an upright man
he strove to do his creditors justice-beggaring
himself he paid them all. With large family
upon his hands, for long time he struggled on in
poverty At length, he was once more enabled
to 60 into business-he is now building himself
up with credit and honor His affairs are pros
! porous. He now looks forward-not to ,ceaitb-
| for he has lived long enough to know that riches
and happiness are not always linked hand in hand
but to a competence sufficient to enable him Ia
bring forward his children repuably in life, and
TO smooth the path of his declining years.
Yonder princely mansion is the residence Of
Mr.. Deville. He also is merchant. 1t is eve.
ming. Soft music float on the air-Iight forms
may be seen gliding past the windows in the grace
full waltz-and the passer by, as he treads the
broad stone tagging beneath, may inhale the odor
of beautiful bouquets casped in the hand of beau
ty, and of rare and costly perfumes The stump.
tuous drawing rooms, replete with every elegance
are thIonged with fashon--the mistress of the
gay fete, and her accomplished daughters are bril-
liant with jewels, and rustic in silk and brocade
| The supper tables are loaded with every luxury,
and who so polite, who so engaging. as the court
! ly master of the mansion
| Deville meets Smith in the street
'Ah, my dear friend most happy to see YOU.
was just going TO your counting room The
fact is, have large amount of money to pay to-
day. My dear fellow, can you oblige me with a
loan of ten thousand dollars for day or two?'
Ten thousand dollars 2 answers Smith 'let
me see-em-when can you pay me, DevilleP
On Monday, you may rely upon having the
amount returned replied Deville.
You are certainP
Honor bright, my dear fellow!'
For on that day continues Smith, ] have
several heavy notes to pay
Pooh pooh FOu may be sure of il , an