Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-11-27

mn'Sm,' said the father, walking to the win.
dow, and rubbing pane Of glass with his
arm, to make thOroughfare for his eye.
sight, it doesn't raih, but il looks terribly
dark, as II there'd be downfall 6f Some
sort--either rain or snow, and-looking
apprehensively towards his thinly clad chill
drtn--'ts bitter, bitter cold
'Coldp retorted Niggs; cold do you say7
Well, Pm sure, dou't find 1t cold.' (She
had on warm cloth dress, a large wooden
shawl handkerchief, and thick doublc-soled
boots Indeed II amt cold for the time
o. year, fine bracing weather, call it
make the boys hardy to be ont iu it,
But said the father, they haven't broke
their fast yet; and
It's only twelve O'clock interrupted the
humane landady, 'an' many the good Chris
tyin as hasn't had their breakfast yet, let
alone mOuntebanks au' the like meddicated
scum, which ! look on as hathingsl What
matters whether you takes your lads out
ufOre breakfasses or arteri You shouldn't
indulge their Nppetites overmuch.'
Here the father glanced ut the attenua-
ted forms of his Young ones and replied
only by n mOurnful shake of his hcad-the
children staring earnestly at Mrs NiggS, as
If wondering what her notions of indul-
gcnce might he. A sixpeuuy loaf and a
jug of water had been the only provision
within the walls of their wretched garret
for the last four-uHd-twenty; the last morsel
Of the bread had been demolished for sup.
per the night previous.
There added Niggs. as single dab
was heard at the street door-there's the
gal with my shoulder and taters from the
bakers. / must be going, for hate my
victuals cSld. Now, you mind what I've
said, Mr.. Thingnmy-if you don't pay up
like mao, afore Thursday, out you 90 !!
take them little creeters into the streets, an
gee if they cant earn a trhe, as l call it;
either way, the moneys as good. Grumble
about the weather, indeedl Why, for the
time Of year-Drat that gal! she's left the
street door ajar, an the draught comes up
them stairs enough to cut body in two
u ugh
Grumbling and shivering, Mrs Niggs
Jumped heavily down stairs TO scold the
gal and afterwards, to Solace herself with
q pint of hot ale and a good substantial
dinner, the steam and appetizing smell
whereof ascending to the mountebank's
garret. brought tears into his eyes, as he
turned away from his hungry children, not
daring to meet their looks. So he paced
the room, as people do when excited, or
impatient, or unhappy, or hungry, per-
haps: poor fellow, he was oil these at
once. First he walked to the dingy
window aforesaid, gazed up at the heavy
clouds, then down at the pavement, saying
mournfully to himself: There's sure to be
a downfall, for the pavement's quite damp,
and that's always sign Then be went
to the almost empty crate, put on the last
remaining morseI of coal, famed it with
his breadth into tiny fame, then back a.
gain to the window, then again to the
then again to the cheeress fire.
place, fdgeting about and busying himself
with such little matters as sweeping the
hearth, busting the shaky mantle.piece
with remnant of an old clowns cap; and
finally, setting low, rcketty wooden chair
before the miserable attempt at fire, say
ing, in as cheerful tone as he could muster:
Mother'll be coming in soon, my lads and
then
And then, will there be bretfas, daddyr
asked the youngest boy.
Yes, yes, Midgklnsj at least / hope
there will
Here the poor fellow took the boy on his
knee, drew Alfy towards him also, aud tried
to beguile the time until mother shonld
come, by hearing them repeat the little
songs and hymns which that mother loved
10 teach them.
Now, Midgkins, it's yonr turn said the
ather, after Ally had gone through his
little hoard of knowledge, and yet no mo-
ther, and no breakfast
Accordingly, the child began to recite, and
1rettiIy too that infant iavorite, The Busv
Bee; but when he came to with the sweet
ood,' &c, his voice failed him, the tears
started into his eyes, and he wept loudly
md bitterly, with his pale, tiny face hidden
n his fathers breast. At this moment,
weary step was heard slowly ascending the
tracking stairs.
Mother motherP shouted Ally, who
Iprang to open tie door. Little Midgkin's
,yes frightened up his father set him gent
y down, and hastened to meet his wife and
release her from the burden of q baby some
zen months old, which she carried with
great difficulty, for the woman was slight
and pale, hall-starved, and haIf-ciothed. -
The most cursory glance might serve to in
'orm you that she was indeed the mother
20 anxiously waited for; she was so like her
boys. The same expression of patient en-
lurance was ON her long thin face aud in
ler meek blue eyes. A girl, who might
lave seen two s6hhinerS, toddled in, cling
ng to her gown. The chid's nose was red,
ler cheeks blue, and her eyes were filed
with water; it was evident, indeed, from the
appearance of both children, and of moth
er TOO, that the morning was intensely cold.
Alfy met his sister, took of her lilac cot
Ion bonnet, which, lohg innocent of starch,
tapped uneasily over her forehead He next
1iVested her Of an old coarse, brown over
coat, made originally by mother for Midg-
kins TO wear over his feshings, but which
Lucy had on because her own green stuff
DelSse had last week been converted into
a dinner. Strangely enough, the fire SEEM
I'd to burn brighter as sootl as mother en-
Tered the rooml She sat down, and Midg-
Sins climbed on her lap; Ally took posses
sion Of low stool, seated Lucy on his