The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-10

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windows and doors, showed that there
must be suffering there, il in such a place
human beings could even exist at all He
was shown through a narrow passage-way
TO low back room, which was made for
a cellar. utwilich at present was the on
y tenement of'a miserable family get
There, was fire place in one corner,
which contained nothing but a little ashes
and heap OF wornout straw in another
corner. on which lay the bodies of the un-
fortunate victims. t,., -. si,.4.st....... ..r
There were various articles Of ragged
Clothlig thrown over them. on removing
which. there proved to be another child
smaller than the little girl! 1853 l#aiyaf
The woman lay with her arms clasped
around both the children, and it was evil
dent. from their position. that she had
drawn them closely to her bosom, in the
endeavor TO keep them warm from the
heat Of her own body; but it was more
than she was able to do. with the severity
of the weather; and she had met with them
her untimeIy end. The trio were frozen
dead. y,,,f ,..,...,.s5 t..t...
As soon as their fsces were exposed,
Mr.. ID. was the first to recognizes the bod
les. The first was the poor little beggar.
girl; and with glance at the other child.
he gave shrek whicn would have pierced
the heart of a stone. stood ughast a mo-
inert. aud then fell heavily OH the floor!
One glance showed that it was his ovn
child!
No one was Left to tell the story, but to
the fathers mind the sad truth was ap-
parent.
The little frozen hand of his cherished
boy still held IA crust of bread-the only ar-
ticle of food there was to be seen in the
room! 1t were vain to attempt to depict
the multitude Of agonizing thoughts which
Gro wded the distracted fathers brain. in
that terrible moment; words fail to des.
cribe them! H., contrast,d the character
OF the little beggar's haart with his own.
He thought OF her whom he had turned
penriless from his door. who. ptying his
lille son. had evidently taken him IN rom
the street. and shared will, him her last
mors"l. and then strven TO shield him from
the cold by nesting him in her own bo-
som! He had refused her the means OF
saving the life OF his darling son. and he
was the murderer!
1t was too much for human nature. Mr..
d. was borne home senseless. and for
many days he merely showed signs of lite.
but not of reason. The body of little
Josey was taken home by the friends, aud
buried. but tn" parents never saw it.
The mother, from the eff Ct of the shock
fell into a fever. from which she never re.
covered. Mr.. d. at length recovered his
bodily health and strength. but he never
was man again. IIe would frequently
have seasons OF raving and would Call for
his child in the most pIteous manner, say
ing that they had hidden little Josay from
him. that he was not dead, but they were
keeping him in suspense, ouly to torture
h:m At other times he would be calm.
and walk the streets day after day. ipqu-
ring for his little boy Of every Que he met!
He was never known to turn away a
beggar again from his door. but he would
frequently buy bread and carry it with him
to distribute among the poor, as he met
them about the streets.
Som times he would hire people to go
about the streets with him in search Of his
little runaway" az he called him. In
this way he spent many years, and his
friends indulged him as long as he was
quiet; but at length he became so mad
that they were obliged to conine him. aud
he ended his miserable existence in all i'll
sane asylum. ''t
Thus ends the sad history of one who,
by single act Of unkihdness. sacrificed
his own life with that OF his beloved wife
and ldolized child! ''ile that gvrth to the
poor. lendetiI to the Lord" and happy is
the man who hath such adebtor. No one
is safe from accidents; and he who lends
to the poor knows not how soon he may
have the favor returned tour'old; for none
is so rich but that some day he may be
grateful for the services OF even a littie
6eggar. t"t''