American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-22
THE DISCHARGED WORKMAN.

We find the following extract in enc Of the
papers OF the day, in which there Is so much
truth that we give it place in QUIZ columns:
"James you are an excellent workman, said
one of the proprictOrs of large establishment
to one OF the jOurneymcn, 81 am q1ite satisfied
with your conduct; during the ten years you
have been employed in our factory you have
gained every ones esteem and friendship: but
you see how it is, we have nothing more to do;
business is at an end: you must keep up your
spirits, my poor James; as soon as anything Of
1ers | will let you know; till then have no oc-
casiou for your services"
The workman heard these words; his eyes
were mournfully fixed upon the ground; lie
stretched forth his hand to receive the amount
of last weeks wages, and certificate of char
acter.
Unable TO utter single word, he slowly took
the road homeward; the tears dropped from his
eyes, and sorrowfully he exclaimed, "My wife
my poor children!"-for James was the father
of a family; his son was six years old, his daugh
ter conld hardly walk, and the youngest was
at the breast.
He entered: his wife and children ran to EN-.
brace him. James folded them in his arms; but
from his thoughtful and Responding looks, it was
evident to his wife that some secret uneasiness
was pTGYlUH upOii w hoI 10 tiiO hiutlCl
husband" asked she.
''No more work!n exclaimed he trembling in
his chair.
"No more work!' repeated the mother in a
voice of agony.
s'No more work!' echoed little Francis in his
turn; and the three looked at each with the air
of stupcfaction.
James wept no longer; it was his duty to give
them an example of resignation, but the burn
ing tears of the anxious mother fell upon the
little hands of the infant she held in her arms,
and which smiling caressed her.
"Don't despair James," said the wife, "to-
morrow you must try and find something to do
God never deserts large families"
"Oh, yes! wife, replied The husband, II Will
do So Here are my eighteen francs Tor the
week: make them last as long as you can"
Francis was soon despatched with ten frances
10 nav the baker; it was the amount Of a whole
weeks consumption, and the credit Of the poor
is generally limited.
Next day James left his home very earl "
All his efforts to get employment were useless
in vain he depicted the distress OF his family
and exhibited his certificate; the greater part Of
the factories were IDLE. He returned, and III;
wife ASKED him no question; the detection OF his
countenancc sufficiently attested his want o
success
A week passed on IN this manner, ana eacf
evening James came home more wretcted thai
the preceding; the intense GOODNESS OF The WIN
ter still increased the sutierlngs OF his family
The Children were kept in bed, for James ha'
10 more wood: the poor little creatures ha'
had no supper; it was Saturday night and th'
baker had refused any more bread OH credit -
Already the mother, deprived as she was o
food, could afford her babe but little nourish
ment, and the innocent's restlessness betraye
its hunger
Meanwhile the two children awoke, an
crying, asked for bread, at this sight James he
came the image of despair, he hnrredly pace
the chamber to and fro, and struck his forehep
with his clenched hand, cold sweat coYere