The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-29

received every week from her husband
earnings ceased to come into her han Is
The wretched man worked little owe
half his time, and drank up all that h
made. Even the amount of food tha
the entire product of Mrs. Lyons labo
would procure, was barely sufficient t.
satisfy the hunger of her family. The
clothes of her children soon began tc
hang in tatters about them her own
garments were faded, torn, and patched ;
and every thing about the house, that
had not been sold to pay rent, was in a
dilapidated condition. Still, there had
been no unkind words, not even re-
monstrance, from the much enduring
wife. 80 fs ..
Matters at last reached climax
Poor Mrs. Lyon had not been able to
get anything to do for week, and all
supplies of food, except little meal,
were exhausted An anxious day had
closed, and at night-fall the mother made
some hasty pudding for the children,
which was eaten with little milk.
This. consumed her entire store. She
had four children; the two Oldest she
put to bed, but kept the two youngest,
one FIVE, and the other three years old,
up with her. She moved about with a
firmer step than usual, and her lips
were tightly closed, as if she had made
up her mind to do something from which
under ordinary circumstances she would
have shrunk
After the older children had been put
to bed, she bade the two younger ones
draw near to the hearth, apon which a
few brands were burning, and warm
themselves as well as the feeble heat
emitted by the almost exhausted fire
would permit. Then she wrapped each
around with a pi zee ofan old shawl, and,
after putting on her bonnet, took them
by the hand and left the house. 1t was
chilly night in winter The wind
swept cold along the street, piercing
through the thin garments of the desper-
ate mother, who was leading forth her
tender little ones on some strange, un-
natural errand But she shrunk not in
the blast, Tut walked rapidly along, al
most dragging her children after her.
AT length she stopped before the win
dow of an alehouse, and standing on tip
toe, looked over the red curtain that
concealed the inmates from the view of
the passers-by. Within she saw her
husband sitting comfortably by table,
glass by his side and pipe in his
mouth Half-a-dozen pot-companions
were sitting around, and all seemed en-
jeying themselves we'll.
Mrs Lyon remained without only a
few moments (; then taking hold of the
door she walked firmly in, and, without
appearing to notice her husband, went
up to the bar and called for three glass
es of brandy. After doing this she
seated herself at table near by her
husband. Great of course, was the sur
prise Of Lyon at this apparation. He
Jumped from his chair aud stood before
his wife, just as she was taking her seat
at the table, saying, in an under tone,
as he did So
"For heavens sake, Sally! what
brings you here :"
cit is very lonesome at home, Ralph" -
she replied, in calm but sad voice
"'Our wood is all gone, and it is cold
there. l am your wife, and there is no
company for me like yours. | will go
anywhere TO be with you. am willing
to come even here"
4" But, Sally, to think of your coming
to such place as this" ,,a
" If it is pleasant to you, it shall be
so to me- And, where my husband
goes, surely can go. God hath joined
us together as one, and nothing should
divide u.s."
By this time the three glasses Of
brandy that Mrs Lyon had called for
were placed before her on the table.
Bring another glass;" said Mrs.
Lyon, calmly, "my husband will drink
with u.s."
Sally, are you mad :" calculated
Ralph
/" Mad, to go with my husband ; Why
should you ask that, Ralph : Drink,
Children" she added, turning to her two
little ones, and placing glass Of un-
adulterated brandy before them. cit
will do you good" AS Sally said this,
she raised her own glass to her lips
" Surely you are not going to drink
that" said Ralph
"Why not You drink to forget
sorrow, and if brandy has that effect, l
am sure no living creature needs it more