Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-05-02
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-Ips and Allen Murphv were th,

father and mother died of fever within few
, days of each other when the boy was fourteen
and his sister twelve wears old. Their only
near relative was a cousin, who lived in Il
ncighboring village, and who, on Murphy
death, came over to arrange their affairs. lie
found that when the stock, crops and furniture
were sold, and the rent and other debts paid,
five pounds and tolcrable supply of clothes
were all that remained for the orphans. Tom
Handley was good-natured man, but his own
circumstances were far from fourishng, and
he had wife and family to maintain lie
therefore felt rather embarrassed as to what
/, could be done with his young cousins and
calling Charles to him on the morning that the
farm was surrendered he said, well Charley,
boy, what do you think would be best for you
and Nelly to do "
The boy sighed deeply, Il don't know, Tom,'
he said; I'D like to work, and try to support
her, if knew how-if you'd put me in the way
of doing it,
''T is little you'd earn for good while yet,
I'm thinking replied Tom. You're a slight
young fellow, not over-strong; and | believe
you were brought up more to the book-learning
than any thing else
yes, my poor father was giving me good
education, thinking I'd be fit for clerk in
counting-house, in case the bad times would
oblige him to give up farming or, at any
rate he would say. learning is no burthen to
any one. But now that's all over, and know
| have nothing to look to but my own work to
support myself and Nelly
'Well,' said Tom, and after pause. 'vou
and your little sister can come home with me.
] know hcrSeif (his wife) will be willing to give
we both the run of the house. I'll put your
five pounds into the Savings, and well find
you something to do in the fields, and Ellen
) might make herself useful minding the young
infant
Charles thanked his cousin; and then, with
hearts full of grief for the kind parents they
had lost, he and his sister accompanied Tom
lIondley to his home, about six miles distant.
1t was a long, low, matched cabin, with po-
tatoe field at the back, cabbage garden at one
side, a pigsty at the other and in front the fill
green stagnant pool which impedes the en-
trance TO many an Irish tenement. In it and
about it were disporting themselves motley
crew of quadrupcds and bipeds; the former
consisting OF pigs and dogs, and the latter III
: cluding ducks. geese, and children At the
door stood Mrs. Handlcy, holding a giggin
filled with bruised potatoes and bran, and buSl-
ly engaged in feeding II goodly company OF
cocks, hens and chickens. Her eldest son, a
fine rosy. dirty boy of ght stood armed with Il
furze taggot. Justify repelng the unlawful in
cursons Of the before named animals of the
pool, who with the exception of the children
seemed to think that their favored rivals of the
rooSt were getting far more than their share Of
the good things Of this life: and thrt It was
really worth riskinT something for portion in
the mess Of hot potatoes delicatcy mingled with
brand.
Here we are. Kittv,' said Toln, come home
to you. thank goodness. safe and sound hope
the prates are nearly boiled for I'm sure Nelly
and Charley must be starving hungry
'Thcyll be ready in less than no tlnc Tom :
and have fine bowl Of buttermllk and fresh
egg for you i'll the bargain. You're welcome.
children, kindly welcome, children, she con
tinued-'kindly welcome; only had better
place for YOU And wiping her hands on her
checked apron, she gave them both hearty
salutation, and led them into the cabin.
Although their home had been humble and
their clothing coarse, Charles and Ellen had
always been accustomed to strict cleanliness
in both they therefore felt shocked at the first
view Of their future dwelling. The mud floor
was damp, dirty and worn into ruts the wood
en- furniture, although sufficiently abundant and
substantial, looked as if it were rarely secured
and whenever the half-door happened to be left
open the living creatures before enumerated
were sure TO rush in, bearing with them no
small portion of the lacustrine deposits at the
doors Charles perceived the painful express
ion on his sisters face, and drawing her hand
within his he whispered. 'We ought to be
thankful to be here, Nelly, and not in the work
house.
After supper, they were taken into n very
small room, a sort Of den partitioncd off the
kitchen, containing two rood soft-looking beds
In one of these beds Ellen was to sleep with
two of her little cousins-the other was occu-
pied by Dir. and Mrs. lIandlcy and their
youngest child. An old stuff curtain was drawn
between the two bedstcads-a piece of delicate
, refinement very uncommon in an Irish cabin
For Charles and the eldest boy a straw bed was
made in a settle in the kitchen. Despite the
novelty of their situation, both brother and sis
ter slept soundly, and awoke next morning
with hearts though sad yet grateful to God for
giving them even this shelter.
After breakfast, Tom lIandley said, Now,
Charley, come ont into the field, and drive the
COWS into the lower inch. You can stop there
and watch them: and mind, don't let them get
into the meadow
Here, Ellen said Mrs. IIandcy take this
child from me, AID GOOD luck to YOU: he won't
let me do a haporh but dandlmg him all day:
in DC n"- .'-;--e -
him.
DOtD UIblHtI anu clNNtl tAplteotu iiC' 'Chh'
ness to do whatever they could to assist their
cousins, for they had been well instructed, and
knew that they ought not to eat the bread of
idleness. Yet they could not help feeling their
situation irksome, for besides the physical dis
comforts of their abote, Ellen was kept all day
in close attendance on a cross child, which was
also so fat and heavy, that the slender growing
girl became bowed beneath its weight Charles
too, was shut out from that mental cultivation
Of which he had begun 10 taste the sweets, with
the painful consciousness that the few pence
he earned by herding cows for a neighborug
farmer were quite insufficient TO pay for his
own and Ellen's support. After some time the
lIandleys, always poor, became exceedingly
distressed. A violent distemper broke out
among the cattle, and carried off their only
COW. No more milk for the child;en-no frkin
of butter towards paying the rent Then the
season was wet, and the potatoes partly failed
and to crown all, poor Tom himself was siezed
with fever, and lay for many days between lite
=. and death.
= One morning, when he was beginning to re-
cover, his wife called Charles, and giving hin
her solitary Sunday DOWn. a much DTiZed uar