Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-09-29

UAh~A SAAOa<4 NV OS AlA f~~N~~ AA 0AlC
the twentieth of September, madam, be
long to meP
Can it be possible?' sbrieked Mrs
Stanwood, wringing her hands in agony
am | not dreaming? Must not thi
be forgery?'
'Madamp exclaimed Mr.. Jillson, anC
his grey eyes flashed with indignation
"a forgery did you say? Mr.. StanwooC
was always very worthy, upright man
and kind neighbor. i have no doub
but he had very good and sufficient rea
sons for treating you as he has donep
The remark was scarcely needed BY
the lady, the thoughts of her family sc
absorbed her. oh, my childrenl what
will become of you?' she exclaimed
while bitter, scalding tears rained dowr
her face-'no home, no food, and youl
mother friendlessI
There is pauper's refugeP said
Squire Jillson, half dozen children
and their mother will be quite burden
on Oakdale, thought 500
Mrs. Stanwood drew her shawl about
her and rushed out of the office; il
seemed impossible to breathe in the
presence of that man, but the choking
sensation did not pass away when she
found herself again in the street
The next day the cow was sold, and
fortunately she brought sum sufficient
to satisfy the demands of the storekee-
per and the doctor, but nothing more.
For a few nights the two little ones
Nettie and Harry. cried themselves to
sleep because they could have no milk
for their suppers, but very soon the bit
of dry bread was eaten with great avid
ity, and when the -four barrel was emp
ty, the roasted potatoe, or the baked
apple.
No doubt there were people in Oak
dale, who, had they known the situation
and real character of Mrs. Stanwood,
would have relieved her necessities, and
in such a manner, too, that her sensi-
tive heart would not have suffered; but
she discovered, on application to some
whom she had considered her friends,
for an employment to enable her to pro-
cure bread for her children, that the
idea which Mr.. Jillson had thrown out,
was cherished by almost every one
Mr.. Stanwood was very sociable man,
and he was known and respected by
every body in Oakgale. while his wife,
who was naturally rather reserved and
retiring, was almost stranger among
the people; consequently the husband
had all the sympathy, while the poor,
suffering woman richly deserved her
fatel - I'D
September was fast passing away
Half the month was already gone.
Very early one morning, Mrs. Stan
wood arose from her sleepless pillow,
but instead of preparing breakfast, she
sat down to piece of sewing she had
procured from tailor's shop few days
previous, and eagerly piled her needle,
though the trembling fingers seemed
hardly able to draw the thread through
the thick, hard cloth. The poor woman
had nothing to prepare for breakfast,
for the day previous Mr.. Jillson had
forbidden her taking anything more
from the garden. She had not eaten a
morsel of food since yesterday noon,
and Willie and Susy had gone supper
less to bed.
No tear came to her eye as she sat
there with the fresh morning air tanning
her pale, sunken cheek, and the songs
of the early birds filling her with melo- |
dy; not even when her glance strayed |
from the window to the pleasant scene
ry about the home, no longer her own;
only sigh, so low and deep that it must
have come from her inmost heart, told
how she was suffering; but when light, !
quick tread was heard beneath her win
dow, and, as she looked from it, little !
white face was upturned to hers, and the
low soft bleat for his companions came
to her ear. the tears did come fast and !
thick; aad opening the door, she stopped
to caress the pet lamb. He had been
promised the day before, to the butcher,
but it seemed to Mrs. Stanwood like !
parting her family to dispose of him.
Her husband had found him on cold
day in early spring, and had brought
him home, almost lifeless; only the ten
derest care of herself and children had
made him the healthfully sprightly thing
he was, and so much was her family at |
tached to him that only to keep from
starving could she have consented to
part with him. She had hoped that the
butcher would send for him before the
children walked, but their voices were
already heard, and Mr.. Brown was not
making his appearance.
Last night Mrs. Stanwood heard
Willie saying to his brothers and sisters,
last night mother sent me with billet |
to the buther's, and don't you think, |
Mr.. Browns boy was killing lambs
dear little lambs, almost as white and
pretty as Cossie isl Their eyes were SO
bright, and they looked so gently and !
innocent when he took his long sharp
knife and drew it across their necksi-l
OIL l dreamed about it all night
Almost as white and pretty as Co.'S
sic is?' sobbed little Susy. .gssou i
And did they dep lisped Nettie.
Yes the blood ran all over their white
fleece returned Willie, and then their
eyes grew dim, and they could never
stir rrainp ~ ~ sff.- ft.t11 i.rl