Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-07

would sink the ship. But most OF 'em got wei
enouqh in time to crawl up to the deck. was
longer sick than any of the rest.
One day | laid in my berth just like any help
less baby, and there was about seven or eigh
round me some asleep and some looking like corp
ses with their eyes open.
felt as if | never was going to see the blue
sky am the water again, an was wanderln
where was Michael, when dreadful feeling
came over me and kind of brimstony smell made
me try hard for breath. 1t came worse an worse
and grew fainter and fainter till the life left me
entirely, and knew nothing till | walked ant
saw Michael's blue eyes looking right into mine
Oh! mann can't tell you how happy was
them forgot that the sky was above and the
waters shining all around mel only saw MI
chael's eyes.
He had saved me from death; for box of brm
stone in the steerage had caught fire from the pipe
of one of our women, who left it burnln', and
when the smell was noticed above, Michael ran
down into the steerage and snatched me up in his
arms, and carried me safely to the air and sun
| light. -,
| Three women were dead continued Betty with
/ shudder, before anybody could get at them; and
/ | was so weak too should 'av died soon if !
hadn't help. Sometimes, Eve wickedly wished
had.
"Well, after that Michael got to be my idol
for thought, hadn't ought to be grateful to the
man that saved my life? And so. whe he asked
me one day to be his wife, thought it was too
much joy, and said "Yes;' and we went to the
Church soon as ever we set foot in Ameriky.
"Michael got work, and did well for little :
| but found soon that he wasn't over sober; and
when il was the case that he would drink he was
savage and threatened me, till at last I'd given up
every penny of my money. For all that, didn't
love him as true hearted wife, sure?
Gone day we was just going home from Church,
me an Michael, an Michael was dressed IN a
nice blue suit an looked the real gentleman and
for all thinking of his bad ways, was prouder of
him than ever.
eve had come to corner Of little square,
and was lust turning, when we met woman, a
little delicate woman ,and she could scarcely walk,
50 sick and thin she was. knew she must be
dying knew it by her cheeks and her wild
ewes. She stopped all at once't as we went by
| her. and looked at Michael with strange sort OF
look.
He turned pale and tried to hurry past; and
when we had the woman fell against the house,
and Michael would mt let me go back 10 her,much
as felt for her.
cit wasn't week after that, ma'am," added
Betty much agitated, ''that poor sick cruthure
came to my room in the house where | lived
She hadn't strength 10 move any further,s took
her in and made her rest on my bed. What dc
| you think she told me? that she was his wife
married in oud Ireland years ago?
ssOh! ifGod had taken me to Himself that day
as He did her. wouldn't have been happy wo
man? Bat He didn't! lived till Michael came
home, though thought shouldn't; and pointed
to his dead wife, and made him tell me whole
truth. And there left him that night, tho
loved him so deary-eft him without knowing
where | was going though it almost broke my
heart and | hav'nt seen him snce-four years
come St. Patricks day.
s.Would you live with him if you should fine
him better man, and yet single asked eur
Gus to test her feelings
"No, ma'am! He deceived me and killed one
poor woman; /; how will have faith in him again
But he was such jewel Of a handsome man yor
couldn't help liking him yourself if you once
looked in his eyes, 'am."
This speech was enough to provoke mirth, bu
the tears still stood upon poor Betty's rount
cheeks, and restrained my smiles. She begged
that would keep her without wages, for she wa
happier there than she had ever been since; and
consented, telling her that the moment she wish
ed for wages or a place elsewhere,she was at per
feet liberty to 90.
Since Betty told me her little history, she ha
been more cheerful than before. | am convinced
that she loves the children, and can leave then
with her and feel that she will not harm them
either by conversation or practice.