Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-05-20

The place of shop-boy with grocer in I
neighboring village being offered him, b
at once accepted it. This man, like mos
, others in his line of business at the time
depended for his chief gains upon the sale
of ardent spirits. John had never takcr
any thought about this traffic, and accor
dingly dealt out the fre-water to his mas
ter's customers without compunction, tho
not without inward disgust. But aftel
being thus engaged few weeks, he one
day witnessed scene which stirred al
the latent springs Of his nature. A young
woman entered the grocery, carrying in
her arms an infant perhaps six months old
and leading by the hand another child ol
some three years. All were poorly and
scantily dressed and their thin, wan faces
betokened pinching poverty. There was
a wild light in the mothers large black
eye, which made John recoil, as she swep.
past him towards the owner of the shop.
Yet the tones of her voice when she spoke
and something in her manner, betrayed a
character and breeding superior to her
present position.
~ have come, said she, addressing
the grocer who stood behind the counter,
-"to beg you once more not to furnish
my husband with liquor. 1t is poison to
him, and death to US. Surely you would
not lot him have it, if you realized our
misery. I have dragged these children
along, though hardly able to come myself
in order that you may see something of it
for yourself Look ut theml Poor rag
ged, starved little onesl Can you believe
they are my children, Marietta Gray's
children7 But this is not the worstW
She took of the hood of the elder child,
and showed large purple lump on its
temple. "There' she continued more
wildly than before" that's from blow
given by its own father! by Robert STAN
hope! And heuow lies at home-drunk
But how did be get the means7 l know
but too well. Last night, the only CON-
Portable article of dress had left, my
blanket shawl, was torn from these babes
as they lay asleep, and sold to make their
flther brute. o, Mr.. Stone, you can
not, now you know how it is, yon cannot
have the heart"-here her voice broke
down in passionate sobs and tears.
~ haven't sold him any liquor this
month";" replied the grocer; " if he got
auy last night, no got IL somewhere I--
sides here"
The woman instantly recovered her self
possession, brushed away her tears, and
with contemptuous smile, pointed toward
a corner where her quick eye had detected
the missing article.
"Well, come now,"-said the grocer in
great confusion, which he tried to cover
by laugh,-"it it isn't my fault, if he did
get it here If be has . mind to come
here and buy liquor, it's his lookout, not
mine. Ny lookout is to get my homes.
pay"
:" You will not promise me, then ?" as
ked tie woman.
"Upon my word and honor, I can't"
was the reply. "It's asking too much.
I must make living, you SEQ. Every
body must take care Of Number One. Let
your husband take care of Number One,
and he'll do well enongh."
"And will you tell mt" said she, show
I am to take care of Number One p
"Tll tell you one thing" cried he
angrily, ~ wont take no sarss in my own
store; 50 clear out in quick time. You
better be spry" added he, advancing to-
wards her with threatening gesture.
She looked at him steadily for moment
hen lifting her hand solemnly towards
heaven, she prayed, in accents which froze
ohm Lees young blood: go God, hear!
lvengev' Without another wore, she seized
he hand of her little girl and left the
hop. John followed her.
The woman walked few rods with sur.
,rising energy; then suddenly sinking
lown on stone by the roadside, seemed
'eady to faint. Both children began at
he same time to cry piteously. When
John came up to the forlorn group he tried
% speak but there was such a swelling
n his throat that he could not utter a
ound. Quickly, though with trembling
myers, be unbuttoned his shirt-collar, and
lrew out black ribbon from which hung
uspended two-shilling piece. Slipping
ff the coin, he again fastened the ribbon G
ound his neck. Then holding out the 6
money towards the woman, be asked in . 9
usky voice: "Will this do you any good! Z
is all have!" I
"God bless you! yes, it will keep my t
hildren one week from starvation" she t
nswered, grasping it in her thin hand. i
he started up as if to 60 instantly in quest .
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