Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-27
5flis1eIIaneons.
CHATTER FROM THE LIFE or A
PORTLAND DEsAEz DIsESEAE8 :
Or HOW ti.e New Law works

"lt's almost time, said little Elsic, fixing
her troubled eyes on the old church clock OPP
posite the window where she sat, and then
turned her sharp but sickly glance On her pale
facet mother.
Eyes, Elsie but don't De alarmed if he
should not be himself, replied The worn lock-
ing woman, with heavy sigh, "the flight
you took lately has injured you more than a
thousand colds. No one shall harm you,
dear; j will defend you to my death" she
added, with determination ard as if speaking
to herself.
Il don't care for me- mother, bit; but
when hctries to strike you. Oh ! how shivcr,
and how l.almoss hate him can't help it,
mother, indeed can't" she qnicklg coEtin-
ued, as her mother looked up reptoyin2ly;
',iust think Of that sweet, patient little suffer
er, cripple perhaps for life how pale and
helpless be lies there, my dear, darling little
brother"
The mother turned her head slowly, Until
| her tvs dim, blae eyes .es.ccl fully upon an
emaciated child, sleeping uncasily ia . broken
cradle
Your father was good and kind once, :
she murmural, even while frown gathered
on her brow at the sight, 'iard now, when he
makes one of his resolves, which, alas IS but
Of short duration, lis old nature comes out
like sunshine Poor little Henry, that was
cruel blow given by fathers hand; but
who 10 responsible ?" she exclaimed, sudden
y starting from her seat while her temples
| and cheeks were crimsoned; "oh had the
power, not rum shop should stand in this
city by nightfal y
Mother, don't look 50 angry" said little
Elsie, with quivering lip.
"God forgive me" replied the woman
STOPPING and kissing the blueish forehead Of
her child, "but when think Of what be has
! BEEN"
| The door was pushed violently open and a
girl Of some fifteen summers burst into the
room. Her fine face was lightedup, ard her
! eyes shonc like two brilliants as she cxolaim-
cd, with vehemence, "oh mother, neither
4 can yeu imagine what news | have Cor you I
/ It-is so good, SO glorious; the now liegor
law has passed, aud they sag that within one
week not glass Of intoxicating drink car be
/ had for love or money feb SO delighted
when heard L, she continued as the tears
struggled with her smiles, 'that | left the
shop on the instant, and hurried hone to tell
you. Now ! must be back again; III worth
a thousand dollars to see tlat smile on your
faces" and she hurried again back from the
room.
The drunkard's wife sat DOWN dreamily 49,
She could hardly bring Der mind to ,ealize
the trpth Of what she had heard; presently
the coasuwptiye child at her side pressed the
| trembling hand Of her mother. and il sweet,
but faltering tones, uttered The simple sen
tence Good is good mother
Instantly rising the poorwoman aid aside
her work, ana husrysg to her little narrow
room adjoining, she fell upon her knees, com
I petely oyerpowered BY her emotion. An
| hour passed before she rejoin:l her sick chill
dreu The hour had been spent in prayers
Of thanksgiving and tears Of joy.
With more cheerful heart than s,o had
known for many years. she hurried about her
work II was impossible to make the room
neater for Tho most battered furniture shone
with cleanliness bus she went out herself
and purchased some Injuries, such as none
but Elsie had enjoyed FOR many day, and
drawing tho table to the middle Of the floor,
she SGT it out with all tho ware that her clos
ct contained. Elsie looked on pleased aud
happy, only asking her mother Il she thought
that her father would be home to supper.
"i know he viii, was the firm answer.
When the two little boys came from school,
towards evening, they crept around The table,
pcepnr as the pie, and asking oil sorts Of
questions whether that was really tea that
stood on the stove, and If they might have
butter on their bread and when they were
assured that they might, they moved around
on tip toe. for fear of disturbing their sick
brother, talking to each Other with the de-
lighted qlauces Of their intelligent faces
AT dark the eldest daughter returned, and
with beautiful smile she said, mother, |
saw father at the corner of the street, aud
what do you think he had lobster in his
band for supper, and he was as sober as be
could be. He didn't notice me, but l heard
him say with a laugh, that If he couldn't get