Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-24
The FoOl' 5 Pence.
a STORY WITH A MORAL.

a STORY WITH A MORAL.
stSI.| ] S. iilsssslssestaess,sl,ysrif,ar-l
lssEoF which opened out Of that noted
sgislon gin-shop called The Punch Bowl
9at It's mistress, the gaudily dressed Mrs.
progaer, eonyersing with an obsequious
leighbor.
why, Mrs. Crowder. / really must say
you have things in the first style ! What ell
esant papering what noble chairs what
pair Of fire screens /! all so bright and fresh I!
Then, the elegant stone copings to your win
doWs and those beautiful French window
frames And you have been sending your
daughters 10 the genteelest boarding school;
your shop is the best fitted in all this part of
London. Where can you find the necdful
for these things? Dear Mrs. Crowder, how
do you manage p
Mrs Crowder simpercd, and cast look
OF smiling contempt through the half open
door into the shop. filed with droughty Gus
toners. The FOOLS pence I'll TIE FOOLS S
PENCE that does it for US, she said-and her
voice rose, more shriil and louder than usu-
- ~ 'siEg tF1uTnrh She felt.
| Her words reached the ears Of one custo-
mer, George Manly, the carpenter, who
stood near the counter. Turning his eyes
/ upoG those around him, he saw pale, sunken
cheeks, infamed eyes, and ragged garments.
He then turned them upon the stately apart
meut, he looked through the door into the
parlor, and saw looking glasses and pictures,
and gliding, and fine furniture, and rich
carpet and Miss Lucy in silk gown. at
her piano and he thought to himself, how
strange it is how curious it is that all this
wrctchedness on my left hand should be
made to turn into all this rich fnery On my
right.
well, sir-ana what's for YOU? ? said a
shrill voice which had made tile FOOLS pence
ring in his ears.
4 A glass of gin ma am, is what am wal
ting for but think I've paid the last fools
~ ygsssat ] shall put down on this counter
anly sh.istened home His wife and biz
two little girls were seated at work. They
were thin and pale, really in want Of food
The room looked very cheeress and the
fire was SO small as hardly to be felt; ye
the dullest observer .Svsuld be struck Will
the neatness that reigned.
TWAS joyful surprise to them, bis re
turning 50 early that night, and returning
: sober, and in good humor
4our eyes are weak tonight, wife, saif
f George, 'or else you have been crying. In
e afraid YOU work toe much by candle light.
T His wife smiled and said, working doe
t not effsct my eyes : and beckoned to he
S little boy, who was standing apart, in cor
ner' evidently as a culprit.
Why, John, what's this I see 2 said Ii
/; flfhef Come and tell me wfsaA you hav
t been doing
:, fFbe baker came for his money tonight
{ hsSslst Uo6 sestEe TIC ttyary -yvitho,,t II
j, but th0egh he was cross anu rv,.5s-r
e mother was not to blame, and that he wa
: sare YOU had been drinking away all tn
Il money and when he was gone, mother crie
], over her work but she did not say anything
e did not know she was crying till saw he
IT tears dropping on her hands and then
q said bad words and mother put me in th
e, corner
: Tell me what your bad words wer
g. john said his father mot swearing,
st hope 7
ID No said John, colouring: 4 said 20
If were bad mani said, bad father 2
at And they were bad words, sure said h
le mother but You are forgiven: SO now brin
ar me some coal from the box
h. George looked at the face of his wife, an
e as he met with the tender gaze Of her mi
Y; eyes now turned to him, he felt the tea
er rise in his own. He rose up, and puttir
is money into her hands, he said There a
he ugssn.ssmeqk's wages. Come, come, hold o
Of both hands, for yoa have not got all yet
sst Lay it out for the best, as you always d
ed | hope this will be a beginning Of better 4
IL ing on my part. and happier days on yours
he George told bis wife, after the childr
re were. gone to bed, that when he saw WI
ar the pence Of the poor could do towards kee
he inc up fine house, and dressing out t
,m landlords wife and daughters, and when
he thought Of his own hard working, unco
he planning Susan and his children in want, a
1m almost in rags, while he was sitting drink
vas night after night, destroying his health a
ea- strength he was 50 struck with sorrow a
Id shame, that he seemed TO come to him:
len at last. He determined from that hour n
lad er again to put the intoxicating glass to
she lips.
lis More than a year afterwards, on Sunt
far afternoon, as Mrs. Crowder, Of the Pun
'er- Bowl, was walking with her daughter TO
But tea gardens, they were overtaken by a !
so leat shower of rain, and had become at le
,ny Aslsssenched, when they entered a com
to table looking house, distinguished by
ith- comforts and tidness and her two girls
an all they could to try and wipe away
uld rain drops and mud splashes from the lad
Size fine silk kdresses and persons.
had When all had been done that could
rm- done, and as Miss Lucy SAID they begar
can't look themselves again. Mrs. Crowder, !
not was lolIing in huge arm chair, and a