The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-12-07

any description. On the mantle piece
stood beer bottle with half burnt can
die in its nose. A few broken, dirty dish
es stood upon the shelf, and quantity OF
nlthy rags lay scattered round in the
floor.
lhe grandmother was holding by the
hand a sweet child Of ci lht years, with
large, bright eyes, and auburn hair (Iike
poor Mary's) falling about her neck. Au
older girl of twelve, with a sweet, Madon-
ma face Chat seemed to light up even that
wretched place with beam Of Ieaven)
stood near bearing in her arms babe Of
sixteen months, (Which was not so large
as one Of eight months should have been)
whose little hands looked like birds claws
and whose little bones seemed almost pier
cling the skin.
The old lady went up to her daughter
saying, Mary, dear, this is the gentleman
who is willing to take you to his house, if
you will try to be good"
"G"t out Of the room, you old hypo.
crItc," snarled the intoxicated woman, "or
Ill land she clutched hatchet be.
side hcr)-l'Il show you'll You are the
worst old woman ever knew, except the
one yon brought in here the other dav,
and she is devil outright. Talk to me
about being good od!-lla-ha"-and she
laughed an ediot laugh.
"Mother," said the eldest child, sweet.
ly Lying her little hand upon her arm,-
"dcor mother, don't please--dou't hurt
grandmother. She is good and kind to
us; she only wants to get you out Of this
bad place, where you will be treated kind.
IT,"
"lcs--dear mother" chimed in the
younger sister, bending her little curly
head over her, "mothcr you said once you
T0uM go. Don't keep us here any long
er, mother. We are cold and hungry
Please get up and take us away; we are
afraid to stay here, mother, dear"
"fes, Mary" said the old lady, hand.
ing her down faded, ragged gown,
"here is your dress; put it on, won't
your,
Mary raised herself on the pile Of rags
on which she was lying, and pushing the
eldest girl across tho room, screamed out.
"Get away, you inpudent little thing -
you are just like your old grandmother.
| tell you dH,, said she, raising herself on
one elbow, and tossing back her auburn
hair from her broad white forehead.-"I
tell you all, | ncrer will 60 from here,
nerer T.! lore this place. So many fine
people come hero, and we have such good
times. There is n gentleman who takes
care Of me he brought me some cam
dies last night, and he says that shan't
want for anything If will only get rid Of
these troublesome children-myh husband's
chiIdren.,' And she hid her face in her
hands and laughed convulsivcly.
"You may have Mem," she continued,
lust as soon as you like-haby and all :;
bit | never will go from this place.
lore it. a great many fine people come
here to see me-"
The poor old lady wrung her hands
aud wept while the children clung round
their grandmother, with half averted faces,
trembling and silent.
Mr.. Pease said to her, MARY you may
either 90 with me or I'll send for an Of.
ficcr and lave you carried to the station
house. Which will you do?"
Mary cursed and raved, but finally put
on the dress the old lady handed her, and
consented to go with them. a carriage
was soon procured and Mary helped in.
side; Mr.. Pease lifting in the baby and
the two little girls, and away they started
for the Five Points House Of Industry.
"Oh, mother ~ exclaimed the younger
Of the girls, show very pleasant it is to
ride in this nice carriage, and to get away
from that dirty place; we shall be so hap
py now, mother; and Edith and the baby
too; see, he is laughing; he likes to ride.
You will love sister Edith and the ba-
by, and me, now, won't you dear moth
err and you won't frighten US with the
hatchet any more, or hurt dear grandma
ther, will youl
Arriving at Mr.. Pease's house, the de.
light of the little creatures was unbound
ed. They caught bold Of their mothers
ayes, sir; Mary was good child to me
once; she respected riligion and religions
people, and used TO love 10 go to chorcll
but lately sir, God knows she has almost
broke my heart, Last spring ! rook hes
home, and the three dear children; bul
she would not listen to me and len with.