Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-05-20

The place Of shop-boy with = grocer in I
neighboring village being offered him, b.
at once accepted it. This man, like mos
others in his line of business at the time
depended for his chief gains upon the sail
of ardent spirits. John had never takcl
any thought about this traffic, and accor
dingly dealt out the fre-water to his mas
ter's customers without compunction, tho
not without inward disgust. But afte
being thus engaged few weeks, he ont
day witnessed q scene which stirred al
the latent springs Of his nature. A youns
woman entered the grocery, carrying il
her arms an infant perhaps six months ole
and leading by the hand another child o.
some three years. All were poorly and
scantily dressed and their thin, wan faces
betokened pinching poverty. There was
a wild light in the others large black
eye, which made John recoil, as she swept
past him towards the owner of the shop
Yet the tones of her voice when she spoke
and something in her manner, betrayed q
character and breeding superior to her
present position.
~ have come, said she, addressing
the grocer who stood behind the counter,
-"to beg you once moro not to furnish
my husband with liquor. 1t is poison to
him, and death to US. Surely you would
not lot him have it, if you realized our
misery. I have dragged these children
along, though hardly able to come myself
in order that you may see something of il.
for yourself. Look ut theml Poor rag
ged, starved little onesl Can you believe
they are my children, Marietta Gray's
children7 But this is not the worst"
She took of the hood of the elder child,
and showed large purple lump on its
temple. "There" she continued more
wildly than before,-"that's from blow
given by its own father! by Robert STAN
hope! And he now lies at home-drunk
But how did he get the means7 l know
but too well. Last night, the only COM
Portable article of dress I had left, my
blanket shawl, was torn from these babes
as they lay asleep, and sold to make their
flther brute. o, Mr. Stone, you can
not, now you know how it is, yon cannot
have the heart"-here her voice broke
down in passionate sobs and tears.
~ haven't sold him any liquor this
month";" replied the grocer; I" if he got
auy last night, no go1 IL somewhere De-
sides here"
The woman instantly recovered her self
brushed away her tears, and
with contemptucus smile, pointed toward
a corner where her quick eye had detected
the missing article.
"Well, come now" said the grocer in
grea. confusion, which he tried to cover
by laugh" it isn't my fault, if he did
get it here. If be has mind to come
here and buy liquor, it's his lookout, not
mine. Ny lookout is to get my honest
pay"
"You will not promise me, then ?" as
ked the woman.
"Upon my word and honor, I can't"
was the reply. cts asking too much.
must make living, you sec. Every
body must take care Of Number One. Let
your husband take care of Number One,
Ind he'll do we'll enongh."
"And will you tell me" said she, chow
am to take care of Number One 7"
"I'll tell you one thing" cried he
Ingrily, ~ wont take no sarss in my own
tore; 30 clear out in quick time. You
'etter be spry" added be, advancing to-
Yards her with threatening gesture.
She looked at him steadily for moment
hen lifting her hand solemnly towards
'eaven, che prayed, in accents which froze
Tohn Lees young blood: 40 God, hear! !
venge" Without another word, she seized
he hand of her little girl and left the !
hop. John followed her.
The woman walked few rods with sur.
rising energy; then suddenly sinking
own on stone by the roadside, seemed
eady to faint. Both children began at
be same time to cry piteously. When c
ohm came up to the forlorn group he tried g
D speak but there was such a swelling I
, his throat that he could not utter q l
ound. Quickly, though with trembling
ngers, he unbuttoned his shirt-collar, and Z
rev out black ribbon from which hung Q
appended two-shilling piece. Slipping t
the coin, ho again fastened the ribbon e
,und his neck. Then holding out the 8
oney towards the woman, be asked in . a
usky voice: "Will this do you any good! n
Is all havew P
"God bless you! yes, it will keep my IL
lildren one week from starvation" she t.
Iswered, grasping it in her thin hand. II
,e started ND as if to 90 instantly in quest n