Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-09


sbilty, trusting to the old mans honor, and GER
tain that the delcacy and beauty of the work
would more than satisfy him. After his failure.
though we should not properly call it such-the
debt was thrown upon him, and that, with his con-
tinued struggles for decent livelihood, injured
his spirits, and made inroads upon his health
sc You are not sober again tonight, Hail. said
Winnie, drawing her child closer to her side. The
little fellow had usual gone to his father for his
evening froic, but in lieu of the gentle embrace,
or rough caress, had received an angry reproof.
The room in which they sat was the smallest
in the house. No carpet of bright color and neat
pattern covered the floor. The chairs were of the
poorest and cheapest kind +; the table, pine, with
dark cloth instead of the beautiful linen covers
that Winnie's mother had left her. Scant half
curtains. hung at two small windows-a loaf of
coarse bread-some milk in an earthen Jug, with
few cups and saucers of delft, were all that gar-
nished the humble supper table-poverty was
painted upon the walls. Three years had passed, !,
and left Hal utterly discouraged. They had left
the house-for such was the tenor of possession.
it could not be sold-for two years back, and oc-
cupied only the meanest part. But now it was
empty for, as i'll other things, they had had poor
luck with their tenants, two of whom had left
them without paying farthng of rent.
And worse and more discouraging, for several
weeks past, Hal had taken to drink, and sometimes
came home disguised, that his wife and child
stood in fear of him. s
10 Wnne's exclamation, he answered 81
know it, little woman-but I'm just good for moth
ing now, and I can't tell whatll become of you or
the boy. can't stand it to 60 about doing loose
jobs when | know what's in me-and to look at
you, wearing yourself out with fine stitching and
sewing till mdnight-and to think of that villain
- he hissed between his shut teeth-ss bounding
me from day to day-ay, and he'd follow us to the
end of the world. God forgive me-but some
time when my bad blood's up, nothing but rope
will 60 between me and the consequences
:" You must leave the village, Hail. said Win
ME, sorrowfuly; I" leave it in such way that the
wicked Rodney can get no clue to your departure
It's no saving up any longer for the debt-take
what there is can trust you-go and work else
where can get along with the boy, ond next
month, please God, we are to have two good ten
ants-never fear for me--but o, Hal-that fear
! tul habit - -. ~ ----. .&
Long was the conference that night of the gen.
! tie wife and discouraged husband. Hal, with
many tears, and manly tears too, made the resolve
to abstain from strong drink. 1t was arranged
that he should go in the morning-take what lit
tie money there was in the drawer, and try the
different towns seeking for employment If he
could establish himself, as hope began to whisper
he might, he was to send for Winnie and the boy
Morning came-and beautiful morning it was
fresh, fair, and gay" For the first time for
many weeks, Winnie had prepared a warm break
fast, and though tears were in her heart, smiles
for the sake Of her husband, sat in her eyes AT
/ ter the meal, Winnie stood leaning her hand on
her husbands shoulder. He had his arms. about
her slight form-they were whispering the half
choked {" goodbye when a sudden knock came
at the door, and before Winnie could answer it, it
was flung wide open. In the entrance stood Rod
ney Barker, striving to conceal the malignant tri-
umph that flushed in his hard eyes-and by his
side an officer. .-.
Hal sprang forward, crazy with passion. &c How
dare yon enter my house, cold blooded villain I! ,
he cried, his voice hoarse and shaking. =
care you ready to pay this debt - asked Rod
ney, calmly showing the carver's bill. &c tYester-
day it was made over to me with all the fees and
costs, and if the money is not forthcoming imme-
diately, you go to jail.''
With wild shrek, Winnie hurried to her hus-
; bands side. He stood motionless, like one turn
ed to stone. Rodney Barker - she cried, turn
ing upon him her beautiful eyes, shining through
tears, have you the heart the soul, to further in
: jure one you have already ruined by the vilest
: ISLANDERS God will repay you for your wicked
t acts, though you may prosper Hal shall
: aever 60 to jail-take him if you dare
"And how will you help it /" asked the domon
with cold and heartless smile the words were
scarcely out of his mouth, when a loud crash star
4 tied them, overhead, succeeded by a thrilling
scream 1t was the voice of their child. Casting
one despairing look upon her husband, Winnie al
0 most flew from the room, Hal sank down il
his seat, overcome with this and greatest tri
d al.
" 1t was scarcely moment before rapid footsteps
e were heard retracing their way down stairs anc
+ through the passage, and voice strained, unnat
: ural, and yet wild with joy, shouted with laugh
+ ter it is ours, all ours-dear old grandfer-look
Hal :" shouted Winnie, bursting into the room
y 8" all ours, ours you shall not GO to Jail. Leave
u my house, wicked man !! - she cried. turning t.
Rodney, and stamping her foot with all her wo
d mans strength. "Here is gold, plenty-we art
it rch-go-and when we please, we will pay you.
IS She ungathered her apron-it was glitterine
5. with gold. Rodney held low conference will
:, the officer, and with face pallid, and venemous
= malice could make it's expression slowly left tht
Il house. -++ "@A"'