Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-11
But where. ARE you going?'
To Wa.t's1

10 waits.
Oh the Watts. I've heard enough
about the paupers,' he retorted, snatching
the basket from her hand, the contents fall |
ing upon the steps.
What now !1clothing, too, Ell? A fire
pass if I've got to clothe and feed all the
paupers in the country
Clothing for the dead, father; this is a
shroud for little Bernard Watt. He's deadp
Pity they want all dead 7 muttered the
thoroughly brutal dealer, as he turned away.
Unseen by Minnie. Bertha Watt had en-
tered the home from the other street, and
met Hermon as he left his daughter in the
/ hall. Watt had taken ham which Doctor
Howard had sent to the children, and upon
the pawn money was deadly drunk in the
bar-room Boiled turnips and salt, with
out any thing else-had constituted their
breakfast. From the table, Bertha, with
but thin handkerchief upon her head, her
heart running over with injuries inflicted,
started for the Home.
As Hermon entered his bar-room. he star
ted at the thread bare and shivering appari-
ton before him. Bertha caught him by the
hand, and poured into his ear tale which a
damned one would dread to hear-a tale of
grief, hunger, neglect and abuse. Sheknelt
before the man and wet his hand, in spite of
himself, with scalding tears, as she bcsought
him for her mothers Bible, and that he
would not sell her father rum. With an
eoquence which is only woman's under SIM
liar circumstances, she told the history o.
cruelty in drunkard's home.
Don't CONE here to blubber, bold Miss
This is no place for woman, Better tend tc
your own business, and go 70 wo'I ''l11e'''
Of begging round the neighborhood. You
fa.beT can take care of himself Better leave
7 saw and Hermon put his hand rude y uPo
the shoulder of the girl, and crowded he
towards the door.
That's (hic)-right, Miz-zor Hermo'
turn the (hic)-hussy ont, by -! M
coor;yhed the shameless father, as ), he MAJ a
oousi oOag = sam his chair, and thrust
aged 10 rise lt0esaan<,a-
hands into his pockets" -h5.ss>, threshold II
AS Bertha stepped over thgSrm.s. 4erm
on the steps, slippery with frost, -Df>
passionately slammed the door together
Striking her feet as she fingered, they wei
knocked from under her, and she fell qucl
ly and heavily at full length upon the stone
shivered as the limbs exten led, and lay sti
the blood running freely from the nose an
open mouth upon the steps.
God Almighty curse upon ye, murde
er Of the innocent, AMI robber of men III
gibbct would scorn such carrion, and HI
vomt you from its bowels, John Hermon
literally howled Crazy Alf between his fierc
y set teeth, as. he bounded over the pro
trate body, and planted crushing blow u
der the ear Of the now sobered landlor
which would have felled a trio of such nae
Strike woman, you cowardly savage!'
Kissed, and ground his heel into the face
the PROSTATE wretch.
Alf had seen her fall, and supposing th
Hermon had struck her, his halfmaniac n
ture boiled at the act.
Marderers not all hung yetr he MI
tered, as he glanced upon the landlord th
taking Bertha in his arms, he carried b
to Doctor Howard's.
: Minnie made another shroud, and anot
er grave was dug in potter's field. Bert
was with little Bernard at rest. The dc
of Heaven was not shut against them,
the prayer answered with curse.
The Watt family were scattered. TIL
graves are wide apart in this land to-ds
Three years ago, in - county, Jan
Watt died paupeI by the roadside, and
!, the public expense was buried in potte
field.
> The Pilgrim blood of the Watt fami
i freighted with bitter memories, beats in
ing hearts, who with prayers of hope a
faith await the day when a righteous ena
I ment shall crush the evil which scoure
them, and avenge their wrongs.