Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-06-07

derlul. She never. spoke augrily TO, bu
strove, rather appearcheerful before hlm
II he was disposed to talk, she would tnlk
with him, add hamer his mood OF mind;
if he was gloomy and silent, she would in.
trude nothing upon him calculated 10 fre,
his temper; if he complained she tried to
sooth him. The man was in charmed
circle, and every impulse rendered TO draw
him into The cen.ers where ruin awaited
him.
AT last even the few dollars she had re.
ceived every week from her husbands
earning, censed to come into her hands,
The wre,ched man worked little over half
his time, and drank up all that he made.
Even The amount of food that the entire
product of Mrs. Lyons labor would pro-
cure, was barely sufficient to satisfy the
hunger Of her family. The clothes OF her
children soon began 10 hang in tatters
about them; her own garments were faded,
worn and patched; and everything about
the house that had moi been sold 10 pay
rent, was in q dllapida.ed condition. Still,
there had been no unkind words, not even
the remonslrance, from the much enduring
wife.
Matters a. last reached climax. Poor
Mrs. Lyon had not been able to get any.
thing to do for week, and all supplies OF
tood, except little meal, were exhausted.
An anxious day had closed, and q, night
fall the mother had some has,y pudding for
the children; the two oldest size put to bed,
but kept the two youngest, one 6ve and
the other three, up with her. She moved
about with frmer 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.
ALTER the older children had oeen put TO
bed, she made the two younger ones draw
near 10 the hearth, upon which brands
were burning, and warming themselves as
well with the feeble heat emitted by the
almost exhausted FIRE would permit. Then
she wrapped each around with piece Of
an old shawl, and after putting on her bon.
net, took them by the hand and left the
house, II was chilly night in winter.
The wind swept cold along the streets,
piercing .hro' the thin garments Of the
desperate mother, who was leading forth
her little ones on some strange unnatural
srrand. But she shrunk not in the blast
'ut walked rapidly along, almost dragging
Ter children after her. AT length she
stopped before the window OF an ale house,
md standing on tip toe, looked over the
ed curtain that shaded halfthe window and
concealed the inmates from the passers by.
when she saw her husband sitting cons
ortabiy by table, and a glass by his
lde, and q pipe in his mouth. Half
lozen pot.companiona were citing around,
md all seemed enjoying themselves we'll.
Mrs. Lyon remained without only few
then taking hold ofthe door she
walked firmly in, and without appearing
Q notice her husband went TO the bar and
allied Tor three glasses Of brandy. After
olng this she seated herself at table
'ear by her husband. Great, Of course
vasthe surprise ofLyon al this uppnration.
ie jumped from his chair and stood before
lis wife, just os she was tuking her seat al
ne table, saying in an undertone, as he
id So
For Heavens sake Sally! what brings
'ou here?'
1T is very lonesome ut home, Ralph,
be rep lied. in calm out sad voice. Our
rood is oil gone, and it is cold there. II
m your wife, and there is no company
ike yours. will go anywhere to be with
ou. am willing to come even here.'
But Sally, TO think Of your coming to
uch place as this
If it is pleasant to you il shall be so to
ne. And where my husband goes, surely
can go-God hath Joined US together as
ne, and nothing should divide u.s.
By this time the three glasses Of brandy
hat Mrs. Lyon had called for, were placed
efore her on the table.
Bring another glass; said Mrs. Lyon
lrmly. my husband will drink with u.s.
Sally, are you madY calculated Ralph. |
Mad, TO go with my husbanda Why
hould you ask that, Ralph? Drink chill.
ren,' she added, turning 10 her two little
nes, and placing q glass Of unadultera.ed
randy before them. 1t will do you good.
Is Sally said this, she lifted her own glass
. her lips.
Surely you are not going 10 drink that,
aid Ralph. -
Why not3 You drink. to forget sor.
ow, and if brandy has that effect, i am
ure no living creature needs it more than
do. Besides have eaten nothing to day,
nd | heed something TO strengthen me-
Saying this, she slipped the burning liz
uid, and smacking her lips. looked up in
Q her husbands face and smiled.
st waIRs the very heart, Ralphl' she
aid. Il Teel better already Then turn
ng to the children, whose glasses remained
Untouched before them, she said to the ns-
onished little ones.
Drink, my children! It is very good
'W omanl are you mada My childrenshall
'ot touchit;' and he lifted the glasses from
he table and handed them 10 one Of the
company that had crowded around to wit.
less the strange scene.
why noli' said his wife, in the calm
one with which she had at first spoken
lfit is good for you. it is good for your
wife and children. 1t will put these dear
mes to sleep, and they will forget that they
ne cold and hungry. To you it is fire
ind food and bed and clothing-all these