Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-03-13

hold that happy circle, gathered about the
fireside that diffuses warmth and cheer
these coldNovember nights. Comforts sur
round them, and you see at a glance that
happiness is theirs. Yonder middle aged
man, with dark hair sparsely sprinkled
with gray, and an eye that bespeaks the
generous soul and manly intellect, is the
Edgar Of my sketch. The beautiful wo-
man, whose brow expands in his affection
ate smile, is his wife. The fair girl Of
five summers, and the gentle boy Of two,
sitting upon the rug 10 warm their feet be.
fore they go.o bed, are the children Of this
happy home. The couple who are play
ing chess at the table, are Ellen and her
husband-a man well worthy Of her love
who are on visit 10 The Summers.
All are happy-even Edgar, for his old
habits Of dissipation have been completely
overcome, and the sight of the wine cup
causes him 10 shudder, and exclaim-
"Oh, ye moderate drinkers, beware
Crush the serpent before it is too late TO
shake off his tight ening folds. Ruin not
your own peace and the happiness of your
friends, and wait not for the Christening
hand Of Heaven TO teach you wisdom, with
calamity ,and quench your thirst with fire"
Case Of Joe Siansbury.
One Of the best founding stories We
have read since the cold weather set in,
is found in the police corner of the Phila-
delphia Pennsylvania as follows:-
As Mrs Esther Stansbury, (residing
in court running from Rye below Sixth
street, was about to bring a bucket of
water from the bydrant last night she
found an old basket suspended from the
knob of the front door. Putting her hand
into the basket, she felt something alive
and kicking, but so enveloped in rags that
no discovery could be made without un-
wrapping the object. A piece of paper,
folded like letter, lay by the side of the
animated bundle. Mrs Stansbury imme-
dis,ely returned into the house, and by the
light of the lamp examined the billet. 1t
was addressed TO her husband. She trem-
ulously broke the seal, and read as fol-
lows:
"To JOE SrANsBuRY-Sir: send you
the baby, which you will please TO take
good care Of, and bring up right, so that it
may turn out TO be better man than its
daddy. Oh, Joseph! what sly old rake
you are! Who would think. that such .
staid, sober old spindle shanks could be
such tearing down old sinner? The
child is yours you may swear to that
fLook at tit is Joe Stan.bury all over.
You deceived me shamefully, Joseph
letting on to be be a widower! but do fa-
theirs part by the young one and I'll for
give you.
Your heart broken NANcr.
| P. S.-Dont let that sharp nosed wife
Of yours see this letter. Cannon her
with some kind Of story about the baby.
N"
Mr. Stansbury was in the basement
kitchen, quietly eating his supper, and lit
tie imagining what a storm was brewing
over his head. The door of the kitchen
was violently thrown open, and Mrs SIS
voice yelled out" "Stansbury, come up
here, you villain! Here's mess for you!
The astonished Stansbury hastily wipet
his mouth, and obeyed the summons.
"Dont you want to see Nancy, the heart
broken Nancy ?" cried Mrs Stansbury,
when her guilty husband hobbled up into
the room. ..-
"Nancy ?--what Nancy's that ?" said
the sly old rogue in we'll feigned perplex-
ty.
| "Why, Nancy, the mother Of this baby
that's been hung up at your door, Mr.
Stansbury! Oh you look mighty innocent ;
but Just read that letter, and then look in
that basket! Don't be afraid-it won't
bite; it's got no teeth, poor thing! You'll
know it; for, as your hussy says, its just
tlike you all over Please, goodness, Ill
expose you before every body J"
| In less than five minutes, Mrs Stansbury
had collected room full Of spectators
halfthe inhabitants ofthe court--to witness
the process Of unwrspping the baby
Anxious expectation sat on every counte-
nance as the jealous lady tore away rag af-
ter rag from The body offthe foundling, the
vigorous movements Of which astonisbed
every body. ut is full Of the devil al
ready" said Mrs S; 'that shows it is his.
You'll soon see that it is like him in every
thing AT last all the swaddling clothes
being removed, out jumped the baby and
made its escape through h the open door,
1t was big tom-cat!