Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-08-05
- ~ ~ove eoo>oc
~. RAVENNA OHIO, MONDAY, AUG. 5, 1850

out hearing the voice of "Old Bennie," a.
he was styled, crying Scissors to grind, y
or if a we'll dressed person, "Charity fol
an old man."
The scissors she used so much, owed
their keen edge to the old mans wheel.
Once or twice she had assisted him to ad-
lust said wheel, which certain mischievous
urchins had overturned. Of late, howe v.
or, May had given him but few pennies.
The illness of her mother made it neeessa.
ry for her to keep all she could get. Even
that was not enough to keep them COM
Portable. Work was scarce, and the rent
bill stared them in the face. 5r-.
May, like dutiful daughter, denied her.
self of a thousand things which she needed
As asconsequence, she grew thin and pale.
Her wardrobe was poor enough. At this
ljuncture, she attracted the attention of a
profigate young man, son of an extensive
flandholder, and the very same who had
swallowed up the acres Of Mr.. Forrest.
May had seen this person before coming
to London. He had praised the beauty of
her face, and attempted some little liberties
with her; These advances she had prompt.
ly repelled. His name was Winthrop
Browne. He was not at all pleased with
the decided manner Of May. II
After the death of her father, and the
removal to London, Browne began to
think the proper time had arrived for an
amour with the charming May. Some
time elapsed before he learned her resi-
dence, but when he obtained the knowl.
edge, he lost no time in setting off to Lon.
don, being young man of leisure. sf
His reception was not very warm
one; and such an one as Browne did not
expect on his first visit. His inquisitiv 9
glances about the room soon satisfied him
of the extreme poverty Of the occupants.
This gave him satisfaction, as mo1ey
could not but be acceptable under such
circumstances. .-t
Thus, in a sscool-blooded'' sort of way,
he calculated the chances of success. He
repeated his visits, and tried to make him
self agreeable. He even vert SO far as
to offer her money, which she refused; but
heaven knows she needed it. 49,
Her mother grew worse daily. Her
vas always accumulating, and beginning
Ito look terribly formidable. The tears
were yet on Der cheek when she went
forth to get work from her employer. The
old scissor grinder was at his accustomed
place. He held out his hand, and at the
same time looked anxiously into her face.
.Alas! have nothing" said May, and
hurried on. A-s-7 s.-les,, ~.
s'Stay," said the scissor grinder, "be.
ware Of the well-dressed young man who
calls on you. Whatever may happen,
don't take any of his money"
May heard him with astonishment.-
What did he know of her affairs? Why
should poor mendicant feel an interest
in her? She thanked him for his we'll
meant kindness, and hastened on. ~41
Here we might as we'll inform the read
er that a young man, by the name Of Aus.
tin Ware, had seen May Forrest, and
managed to form an acquaintance with her,
since her removal to London. He was
poor like herself, and depended on his own
exertions for a living. He had made, not.
withstanding this, favorable impression
on both mother and daughter. Their in.
timacy increased until he was daily vis-
liant.
Sensitive on the fact of their poverty,
they endeavored to hide it from Austin as
much as possible; bat the latter, as the
phrase goes, 'could not help using his
eyes" He saw, with pain, the exertions
Of May, aud the thousand and one depri.
vations they suffered. He longed for the
time when he could marry the fair May,
and have a right to protect and assist her.
Meantime things went on from bad to-
worse. May was obliged opart with all
the little ornaments she possessed in the
world. The last thing that went into the
hands of the broker, was gold ring With
the paltry sum she got for this, she
bought some little article of comfort for her
mother. 81 g Il sss.3s ~ RI 9.ss5: [..?r
The rent became due. Although they
had been able to pay, heretofore, they were
utterly unable now. The landlord was one
of those hard-hearted wretches, who ought
not to live to vsx the souls of good chris
tians. No appeals to his better nature had
any effect. The rent was due, and be want
ed it. If he could not have the rent, be
wanted the rooms; consequently the pres.
ent tenants would have to Stumble into the
Streets" as be expressed it. In vain May
pleaded for little time. It was time lost
She talked of illness of her mother. Thai
was useless also-and they were ordered te
move into the street that very day.
The landlord had not been gone long be
fore Browne made his appearance. He in
formed May he was well acquainted will
the state of affairs, and that it depended
entirely upon herself whether the rent sho' Z
be paid or not. If she said the word, h,
would not only settle the amount, but emak'
a lady Of her. at once.
May Forrest wished to hear no more
i Browne went away greatly dissatisfied
but not without cherishing a secret hop
that he should ultimately carry out his de
signs. ..-..
In this extremity, May knew not who t.
look to for assistance. Her only frien,
who would be disposed to assist her-Aus
tin Ware-was unfortunately out of th