Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-07
Ghnirf IitrratarF.
THE REFoR RMATIoN ;
OR, Lire AND DEATH.

1
OR, LIFE AND DEATH.
aFrvE o'clock! Eve O'Clock ! who
goes there - Was sung out by hardy
watchman, wrapped in his great coat,
as he walked slowly up and down din
" street in densely populated n etrop-
olis. whose name need not be mentioned
on acold drizzIy morning in January, !
ls-. The volumes Of smoke that were
beginning 10 belch forth from the kin
ding fires Of the engine houses scattered
over the city. went curling Up and ad-
ded 4 heavier gloom TO the lowering
mountains Of clouds that rolled across
the city, whose inhabitants, for the most
part, were vet locked in sweet repose.--
The rain battered the pavements, the
streets were covered with a flooding
stream, and the water was pouring down
from the castles Of brick. wood and
stone, like wild mountain torrent
the wind howlrd most pileously through
the dark alleys, and with frantic fits Of
furious impetuosity dashed through the
streets and lanes, screaming and whist
ling as il slammed the loose. shutters
against the dripping walls. Twas a
dreadful night--iull Of the wildness and
awfutterror Of astorm. The dozy watch
men held their coats and cloaks close
to their shivering bodies, as they stood
undef the wet awnings, watching the
dwellings Of the sleeping inhabhants.-
notwithstanding the uuseasonableness
OF The hour, there was miserable wretch
cropping his way through wind and wa.
tep<-he TUNED from Eighth street into
adsrk alley, and feeling along The wal
he entered low, narrow. messy door.
2 He reeled as he felt his way through tbs
dark entry, and threw his whole weigh
against the crazy door Of a room. Tha
degraded wretch was once reSpectabl,
me chant, surrounded by wealth. b,
wealthy and honorable friends. Bu
alas reader, the alluring social glass
had led Rim asiray; at first he only IN
duleed WITH friends thus he soon be
came an inrbriate, and now he wallowe,
in The moral stencil Of the quagmire Q
drunkenness.
The door was quickly opened by
pale, sickly looking boy Of spparentI,
about seven yeats-he timidly and eau
tlousIy inquired in tone Of anxiety an,
fear;-
Papa. is that youf
Yes, boy. wet as 6sh--curse you
said the parent. what business have yo
to be up at this inner Go to bed!'
The poor boy irembIed at this rude
ness, but did no. move from the dool
way.
Don't you hearg said the man, g
to bed you little rascal. or you wi
rue il.
Still the little child did not obey M
speak-he held a short candle in or
hand and The latch IN the other, viii
he cast a beseeching look on the brut
parent.
.Ains you going 10. do as bid yo
imps said the wretch, and he struck II
heiplsss child a blow which felled hi
TO the wet floor 1.-The Pickering lig
fell and the man stopped 10 pick it u
meanwhile giving vent TO loud ours
and imprecalions. The innocent b
raised himself, and bursting into flo
Of tears exclaimed -
s0h, Papa, don't make such gre
noise, you'll wake poor mother-moih
has been great deal worse all day S
has Just gone to sleep-don't wake
PapaY
Did your mother learn you 10 disob
me, boy, you mulish imp I'll teach y
better msnners--iake that and this. a
that,'--his blows struck the weak ch
again 70 the floor, then kicking his f.
bosly out OF the way, he,staggered Il
the cheerless .oom--the sick room
his patient wife.
What a.room il was an unit pl;
for The sick few pale, ashy emb
were carefully heaped together on
rough, uneven hearth-stones. w
had once been the polished mantle ,
now black aud filthy. The ceiling
been torn or aud the merciless "
sighed through the hundred cracks.
cold rain that beat in. dropped on
hoor with death-like tick tick ii
One thinks Of death when they
monotonous drippings: tick tfckl ii
Aiew ailapidated chairs, a broken
pie, and an old chest, were the primo
turns.urs, together with propped
slann, leaning against comfortless
on which lay bis wife-the compa,
OF hIs bosom, she who few vears
was the accomplished maiden-tha
ensea Miss Oriana Losel. who had q
with nervous zeal and affection 20
d'sgraced iOSsref her youthful day.