Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-07
MISC ELL Y.
Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread

Where in fiction is there anything more
strange than this fact, related in the Musi-
cal World, by R. Storrs Willis ?-A"The fol-
lowing strange incident happened while
was hving in Germany. In the neighbor-
hood of Vienna there dwelt young peas
ant woman, who supported herself by the
cultivation of vegetables, which she dispos-
ed of in the Vienna market She inhabit-
ed small house, attached to which was
her vegetable garden. Young as she was,
she had been married but her husband had
died. leaving her a little girl, who was now
lust old enough to run about and play with
the other children in the neighbourhood.--
The mother was still handsome, and desi-
rous of a second marriage. About this
time, indeed, there was visiting her young
man for whom she had conceived an atfec-
ton, and whose proposition OF marriage she
was now beginning impatiently to await.
But no proposal was made. A dark thought
finally crossed the young woman's mind
that there must be some obstacle IN the
way. and that this obstacle was, in all prob
ability, the child. An unnatural struggle
of jealousy took place, which resulted IN a
fearful determination-she would make a
way with the child Beneath her house
was deep cellar where she occasionally
stored her vegetables. Taking her child by
the hand one day, she led it down stairs,
and, ,thrusting il inside, closed the door, lock-
ed it, and hurried up stairs The same e,
venlng her lover came; they sat chatting
together, but no mention was made of the
little absentee. The next day, after de-
sertion of twenty-four hours, the mother
went softly down aud listened at the door.
The quick ear of the child caught her mo-
theirs step, and she implored her to take
her out of that dark place--she was so cold
and very hungry. No answer was return
ed, and the mother crept quietly up stairs
In the evening the lover came again.
They took supper together, and passed a
social evening. After the second twenty
four hours had passed, the mother made an
other visit to the child. Again the little
sufferer heard her, and with feeble voice
begged for a crust Of bread-only one crust
of bread. This pulled little upon the mo-
fher's heart, but-her purpose was fixed
Another day passed. The mother went
quietly down stairs and listened. All was
silent. She opened softly the door-the
child lay dead. Taking swiftly the body
up stairs, she laid it upon bed; aud i'm
medately making great outcry, called the
neighbors together, teltiRg them that her
child had suddenly died. And so it seemed.
The day after there was funeral. The
child was lying in its cofia bestrewed with
flowers, brought by the little piaymates in
the neighbourhood, who had come to attend
the funeral of their lost favourite. The
procession moved towards the quiet Coles
acker, Gods acre. where was to be plant
ed this little seed of an immortal flower
A clergyman was in attendance. The mo-
ther stood looking down upon the grave,
over which the holy man was repeating,
with solemn voice, Our Father, who art In
Heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy king
dom come thy will be done on earth as il
is m heaven. Givs as tins dog our daily
bread A piercing shrek, and the mo-
ther fell with a groan to the earth. Look
ing wildly around her. she then, in gbber-
ing accents related to the shuddering throng
at the grave the very deed her own hands
bad committed. She lived not long after,
Crazed and smitten by the hand of God
she miserably died-a signal instance Of
retribution, and startling lesson upon the
words, Gice US This day our daiy 6redd."