The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-28
THE LOST FOUND.

We had frequently observed heart broken
looking lad pass by with a gallon oil can in his
hand. His tattered garments and his melancholy
face were well calculated to excite observation and
pity. 1t was but too evident that the vessel which
he carried had been diverted from its legitimate
use, and that it was now used. not as an oil can,
but as whiskey jug. Having seen him pass
twice in one day with his ever present can, we had
the curiosity to accost him, and did so, by nqulr.
ing his residence. -
81 live" said he, "five miles from the city. on
the - roat."
sYou have been to the city once before to-day,
have you not'' ....
. ssYes. sir, came down in the morning; but I
couldn't get what was sent for, and had to come
again. t
- "What were you sent for, my lad? 1t must be
something very important to make il necessary for
you to walk twenty miles III this Storm
i"Why, sir, it was whskey that was sent for.
Father had no money and he seut me to Mr.-'s
10 get trusted but he wouldn't trust any more, SO
had to 20 home without the whiskey; but father
sent me back again :" f-t4s.-
= .'IIow do you expect to, get it now, when you
couldn't get il in the morning." -s.
"Why, sir, have brought.a pair of shoes which
sister sent mother Mr., - will give whiskey
Tor them. He has got two or three pair of moth
er's shoes now"
"Doy you like to carry whskey home, my boy: J"
y. "oh no, sir; for it makes all so unhappy; but
can't help it'' y .s
- We took the responsibility OF advising the boy
not to fulfil his errand, and returned home with
him. The family we found. consisted of husband
and wife and four children-the oldest, (the boy }
was not more than ten years of age, while the
youngest mas an infant of few months old. 1t
was cold, clustering day. The north wind blew
harshly, and came, roughly and unbidden, through
the numberless crevces Of the poor mans howell
A few black embers occupied the fire place, around
which were buidled the half naked children, and
the woe stricken mother and wife. Her face vas
haggard her eyes sunken, her hair disheveled, her
clothes tattered and unclean. She was seated
upon an old broken chair, and was mechanically
swinging TO and fro, as il endeavoring 10 quiet
her infant, which moaned pitifully in its mothers
arms. Tsr.-re.s ri
BY the side of this woe-smiiten mother, kneeled
little girl Of FIVE or six years, down whose sallow
cheeks tears were coursing, and who ever and
anon exclaimed, Poor little Willie, must you die
Oh! mother, must Willie die?" and then kissing
the claInmy sweat from ''little Willie's" brow,
covered her face with her tattered apron and wept.
In the opposite corner Of the chimney, and
among the ashes which covered the hearth, sat a
boy Of about seven years, dragging from the half
dead embers potatoe, which he broke open with
the remark Mother give this to little Willie
May be he's hungry. I'm hungry, too and so is
sister; but WiIlies sick Give him this potatoe,
moiheI.n 9 d e,at h,e
ae.sNo, poor boy, said the mother. "Willie will
never be hungry again He WILL SOON BE DEAD"
II had been sick from It's birth, and il wss now
seemingly struggling to free itself from the harsh
world into which IT had been ushered. Thersw
no tear 10 the eye Of the mother, as she gazed upon
the expiiing babe The fountain had been long dried
up BY the Maternal fires which alcohol had kindled
and fed Yet she was the picture Of despair; and
We could not but fancy, as she sat thus, that heI
mipd was Wandering back to the happy past--ths
days. Of her own infancy aud girlhood. and heI
early home. Poor thing, She had gwen heI