Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-01-19
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAl

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
Where in fiction is there anything more strange
than this fact, related in the Mlisicat World. by
r. Storrs Willis!
The following strange incident happened
while was living in Germany. In the neigh
borhood of Vienna there dwelt young peasant
woman who supported herself by the cultivation
of vegetables which she disposed Of in the Vien-
na market. She inhabited small house, at
tached to which was her vegetable garden.
Young as she was, she had been married but
her husband had died, leaving her little girl,
who was now just old enough to run about and
play with the other children in the neiehbor-
hood The mother was handsome, and desir
GUS of second marriage. About this time in
deed, there was visiting her young man for
whom she had conceived an affection. and whose
proposition of marriage she was now beginning
impatiently to await. But no proposal was
made. A dark thought finally crossed the young
wenan's. mind that thsre must u sgne obstacle
in the way, and that this obstacle was, in all
probability, the child An unnatural struggle
of jealousy took place, which resulted in a fear
full detcrmination--sho would make way with
the child Beneath her house was deep cell
lar where she occasionally stored her vegetables.
Taking her child by the hand one day, she
led it down stairs, and thrusting it inside, clos
ed the door; locked it, and hurried up srairs.
The same evening her lover came; they sat
chatting together, but no mention was made of
the little absentee The next day, after the de-
sertion of twenty-four hours, the mother went
softly down and listened at the door. The quick
ear of the child caught her mother step. and
she implorcd her to take her out of that dark
placc-she was so cold and hungry. No answer
was returned, and the mother crept quietly up
stairs. In the evening the lover came again.
They took supper together, and passed social
evening. After the second twenty-tour hours
had passed, the mother made another visit to
the child Again the little sufferer heard her,
and with feeble voice begged for crust of bread
only one crust of bread. This pulled little
upon the mothers heart, but her purpose was
fixed. Another day passed,-She went quietly
down stairs and listened All was silent. She
opened softly the door-the child lay dead.
Taking swiftly the body up stairs, she laid it on
a bed and Immediately making great outcry,
called the neighbors together, telling them that
her child had suddenly died. And so it seemed.
The child was lying in its coffin bcstrewn with
flowers brought by the little playmates in the
neighborhood, who and come to attend the lune-
raj of their lost favorite. The procession moved
towards the quiet Gotcs-achcr, Goods acre,)
where was to be planted this little seed Of an
immortal flower A clergyman was in attend
anc,. The mother stood looking down udon
the grave, over which the holy man was repeat
ing. with solemn voice, Our Father who art
in Heaven, hallowed be Gay nssfcSs ivy kingdom
come thy will be done on earth ash is in Hea-
ven. Gire us this day oar daily bread'--' \
piercing shrek, and the mother fell with a groan
to the earth. Looking wildly around her, she
then, in gibbering accents, related to the shud-
dering throng at the grave the very deed her
own hands had committed. She lived not long
after. Crazed and smitten by the hand of God
she miscrably died--a signal instance of retri-
button, and sterling lesson upon the words
Giro us this day our daily bread.