The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26

The woman waited TO be urged no more
she eagerly clutched the money, and burst into
tears as she cried
The blessing of those ready to perish be
upon you both, sir | should not have sent out
to-day but we have neither food nor fuel, and
little Jennie dying"
Have you no one whom you can send out
after food and fuel!H asked the old man, with
glance toward the farther corner of the room,
where from beneath pile of rags, came the
heavy breathing of a man.
| "Yes returned the woman. as with a
troubled expression her eye followed his :" but
William, poor fellow, is not well He is worn
out, she went on with sigh, with care, and
want, and trouble. IL you will be kind enough
to stay with Ellen sir. will run down myself
and get what we want. It's only two doors
from here she added seeing the old man
about to demonstrate.
There was something in her manner that re-
called to the old man Mr.. Jimpss remark about
her husbands incorporate habits She fears
to trust him with the money, and perhaps she
is right thought he, as he drew the scanty Gov
.esiog over the dying child, and began to look
about for something to kindle a fire with
against the mothers return.
The little girl laid down the coarse shirt
sleeve she was stitching, and came to his aid
but they could find nothing but a few bits o.
paper.
aThat is Willie's kite, sir" whispered she
as the old man laid his hand on that article
81 He brought it with him when we moved from
the country but don't know as he will mine
it much if we do take it. if he can only be
warm"
As she spoke, a curly head peered out from
beneath the rags in the corner, and, presently
a little boy of five or six years old crept tC
her side.
"Willie, don't wake father ~ she whisper
ed hushng his exclamation of surprise at the
sight of the stranger. awe are going to have
a fire, and something to eat, Willie" she added
Mother has gone after the things. Mr. Jimp
sent the money by this gentleman, and now It'll
all right
The little boys sleepy eyes flew wide oper
at the mention of food and fire, and he wits
pered, with a shy look at Uncle john
"But will he take us away from this hateful
place, sister, and give us dinners every day, jus
as we used to have them in the country? Wher
| was so hungry, and cried, last night yor
said mebby some one would bring me whole
pocketfull of cakes if | would go to sleep
Has he brought them, sissie ~
Mother has gone after Them said the little
girl while Uncle John took him upon his knee
and warmed his little red hands between his
great palms Ellen drew close to him, too
and he took her on the other knee, rs he
asked
How long has the little one been sick
dear -
Mother says she has never been well Blu,
she ran about, and played with Willie and me
until we came here. Ever since, she has been
poorly, and we have had to hold her all the
while. Sometimes she laughs when | show her
my rosebush, and puts up her hands to catch
the leaves Biddy Flaherty gave it to me- sir
but lately she does not seem to notice any
thing, and mother thinks she will die"
"And then she will go up to God, away
above the clouds, where the cold weather never
comes" said little Willie, lifting his sober eyes
to Mr.. Markham's face. It's nice place
up there, sir. Wouldn't you like to 60, too?r .
Before the old man could reply, the mother
entered, followed by man bearing food and
Goals.
We do not know whose pleasure was the
greatest, the hungry-eyed children, as they
ate their food by the glowing fire, or old John
| Markham's as he sat by and looked on We
think the children's, however for he could
not but be saddened by the tale which he
heard from the lips of the poor mother, as she
hung over her child 1t was the old story
which has blotted so many of the fair pages OF
the book of life. Poverty had followed sick
ness thrown out of work, strangers in a
strange place, disappointed and despairing, the
husband and father had yielded to temptation,
and tasted of the accursed cup, until he no
longer cared for aught save the qualification OF
his brutal appetite For some time past they
had depended solely upon the earnings OF the
mother and little Ellen for support; and these
had, of late been much curtailed by the i'll
ness of little Jennie {" could not let her lie
and die before my eyes, even though we were
all starved said the weeping mother.
Uncle John Markham was not an eloquent
mamie never made IA speech in his life yet,
somehow the words which he spoke to that
fallen, discouraged husband, that night, awoke
feelings of hope and courage and self-respect
in the poor fellows heart, to which he had
long been stranger.
1t was quite late when the old man reached
his nephew's house that night, and Mr. jumps
and his wife were too sleepy to ask many ques-
tons; but next morning, at the breakfast
table, they were disposed to be quite curious
on the subject of his late hours.
"Fie Uncle john" began Mrs. jumps, smi-
ling, as she handed him his coffee this never
will do. | shall have to write to Aunt Sarah
about it,"
II think shall write to her myself, this
morning" returned the old man, in the same
light tone.
But uncle, these must be very interesting
people these friends of yours, to keep you up
so late" said Mr.. jumps.
"They are; so much 70, Dlmmle, that
must introduce them TO you. Will you call
with me some time in the course OF the day.
with great pleasure uncle"
1t being New Years Day, however, Mr.
jumps, amid calls and business quite forgot
Uncle Johns proposal-the more readily as that
old gentleman was absent most Of the day on
business Of his own, and il was not until he
was about to dress for the donation party in
the evening, that the old man saw fit to remind
him of his engagement
"Why, it is too late, now, Uncle John Julia
has already commenced dressing for the party"
said the little man.
"Well, ! can't 60 to this party with you
until have called on these friends, that's GER
tain, said the old man If you are minded
to 60 with me, III have black Simon and the
sleigh at the door by the time you are dressed
and we can be there and back again by the
time Julia gets rugged, if she is like most wo-
men folks
Black Simon was at the door in time, and
bore them with flying steps along the crowded
streets. On, on they went past brilliantly
lighted parlors, from whence came the sounds
of music and laughter-on, to where the streets
began TO narrow, and the lights to dwindle
until, with suddenness that almost took Mr.
Jimps's breath from his body, the old man
drew up before rickety old building.
"Uncle John, you must have mistaken the
place! YOur friends surely cannot live here ~