The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-01-28
A TALE OF LOVE AND RETRIBUTIcN.

Rachel Bently, the lovely daughter of
one of the richest merchants Of London,
having married George Hoffman, one of
her fathers clerks, during the old mans
abcence in India. he on his return dis
inherited her and discharged George. The
latter being overwhelmed by disappoint-
ment, took to drink, and in few years
became habitual drunkard his wife sup
porting herself and two childrcn-Rich-
ard, now fine boy in his thirteenth year,
and Mary, sweet child of six-by sell
ing, one after another, the remnants Of
her once costly wardrobe and jewelry.
On the last day of December of the year
in which our story opens, Rachel was
without food, light or fire, and that very
day the rent must be paid
Little Mary was moaning for bread, and
crying with cold.
The drunken father was at the draw
shop. ~ .s
The agonized mother had but one more
article OF value lett-a locket containing
alock of her fathers hair. She had hoped
of her once happy home. But goaded by
little Marys cries for food she seized the
locket, rushed to pawnbroker's, obtained
few shillings, put by the amount of the
rent, and with the rest purchased little
baead and milk for her children. and then
set out, with them, to visit the old conf
dental clerk of her father, Peter Mangles,
who had ever been kind to her, to consult
him about sending Richard away from the
contaminating influences with which he
was surrounded
On returning home late on New ears
eve from her fruitless visit, for the old
clerk was not at home, Rachel discovered
that her husband had been home and stolen
the sum she had put by for the rent from
the place where she had concealed it, and
gone OFF again to The Crown and Mag
pie tavern to waste it in drunkenness.
Little Mary, chilled and hungry, began to
cry for food, and the suffering mother, in
hopes of regaining portion Of the money
taken by her husband, set out with her
children to the haunt of vice whittier
George Hoffman had gone.
There was great crowd at the bar. Of
" The Crown and Magpie." The land
lady-a stout, vulgar-looking woman, with
red ribbons in her cap, a profusion of
false curls, heavy gold chain round her
neck, and numerous rings on her fat fin
gers-was busily engaged in pouring out
gin for her customers the regular ones
she was trcating-for it must not be for
gotten that it was Newly ears eve
Such was the scene of vice and dissipa-
ton which met the eye and sickened the
heart of Rachel when, with little Mary in
her arms, and protected by the presence
ef her son, she ventured into tho house.
Is Mr. Hoffman here" she inquired,
family.
The question had to be repeated several
times before she could get an answer
Can't tell the names ofany of my cur
TONER'S, replied the mistress of "The
Grown and Magpie," snappishly. .7-
Perhaps you will oblige me by ascer-
tanning" .t .f.r.
''Too busy, ma'am. Hot water Sally !
Three and eight-pence, sir. Half-and-
half directly.
You cant go in there" shouted the
landlady, as Rachel WAS making her way
towards the parlor. " Mine is respecta-
bic house ; | allow no females beyond the
bar" -,
But am Mr.. Hofman's wife. "
$50 they all SAY" answered the wo-
man, with sneer.
There was coarse, mocking laugh
from the crowd of half drunken wretches
standing near. The eyes of Richard fash
ed angrily; but the voice, and still more,
the imploring look of his mother restrain
ed him.
Let US return home," she said, in
despairing tone. q feel faint and sick
at heart"
. .r re .aya-v