Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-15
RICHARD HOFFMAN.



Rachel Benty the lovely daughter of one of the richest
merchants OF London, having married George Hoffman,
one Other fathers clerks during the old mans absence in
India, lac his return dsinheIed her and discharged
George The latter being overwhelmed by disappointment
took tn drink and in few years becne hnlusl drunk
ard his wife supporting herself and two children-Rich
ard fine boy in his thirteenth year. and Mary, a
sweet child of six-by selling, after another, the
nsnts Of her once costly wardrobe and iewelry.
On the lsst day of December of the year which sto
ry opens Rachel was without food, light or fire. and that
very day the rentm must be paid.
Little Mary moaning Tor broad, and crying with cold
The drunken lather was at the dram-shop.
The agonzsd mother h I'd but article Of value
Iea locket containing lock of her fathers hair She
had hoped to be able TO this the last nemonto Of her
once happy home But goadcd by little Marys cries for
food she seized the locket rushed to pawnbrnkera OBJ
taiped few shngs put by the amount Of the rent and
with the rest purchased little bresd and milk for her
children and then set out, with them TO visit the old con-
fdeniia clerk of her father Peter Msnges who bad
been kind to er, consult him about sending Richard
away from the communicating influences with which he
was surrounded.
On returning home late on New-Year's eve from her
fruteEs visit for the old clerk not at home Rachel
discovered that her husband had been at home and stolen
the she had put by for the rent from the place where
she had conccaedit and gone OF again to the Crown
aud Magpie" tavern to waste ii in drunkenness Little
Mary, chilled and hungry, began to cry for food and the
suffering mother, in hopes of reganng portion Of the
money taken by her husband set cut with her children to
the haunt of vice whittier George lofniqn had gone
There great crowd at tho bar of the Crown and
Magpie" Tho landlsdy-a stout, vugar-looking woman,
with red ribbons Ia her cap, proison Of false cura
heavy gold chain around her neck and rings
her fat fingers busily engaged in pouring cut gin for
must not be eforgotten that it was New Years eve.
such was the scene Of vice and dissipation which met
the eye and scened the heart Of Rachel when with little
Mary in her arms and protected by the presence OF her
son, she ventnred into the house;
"Is Mr.. Hoffman hese?" she inquired. family.
The question had TO be repeated several times sos se
could get
Cant tell the of any Of my crstomers, replied
the mis- ress of the "Crown and Magpie" sHFppshly
"Perhaps you will ollige me BY ascertaining."
"Too busy ma'aml Hot water saly Three and eight
pence sir. IIalf-and-hsf directly!
"Iou can't thcreI shouted the andlady, Rach-
el making her way to the parlor Mns is respect
| able house; allow no females beyond the bar"
| "But am Mr.. Aofiman'S Wife"
ESQ they all SAY" answered the woman, with sneer
| There was coarse mockng laugh from the crowd II
hafdrunken wretehes standing The OF Rchstd
flashed nngiy but the voice, sni still mo the impor-
ing look olhis mother restrained him
"Le us return home, Sue said in adespsirng tone-
81 feel faint and sick at heart"
And leaning upon the of her son. the unhappy wifi
tottered rather than walked from the place.
The keen frosty air partially restored her strength anf
Rachel proceeded with her children till she reached th'
horougfarc lelhg through St. hsrEarets chureh-yar'
towards the Almonry when faint from Mary, WHOM
she still carried in her arms arrested her srps She plsc
ed her hand under the thin faded shawl which covered her
the child cold ice and shivcring as seized will
an ague fit.
"she is dyngl" groancd the terror-stricken parent
"dying for the want ol foOd"
The heart Of her boy could endure more-it VA
breaking The cup of misery and endurance had been I'LL
cd to oycrlowing. His brain on nretsSrscould no
| quench it.
| .'Takc her home mother." he cred-"tske her home
never fear but will bring you fooil Mary shsnt die-
",
"Rchard! Rciardi do not leave me' shreked hia ago
nzed parent Let me not lose both childrsnl if yo
love your mother return-for PHYS sake return"
The appeal came too late Her son, stung, Inaddene
beyond endurance by the suerings of those 40 deart
n, had broken from her feeble grasp dnrted down tn
thoroughtre and was already beyond the reach oil he
voice.
Rachel cung to the railings Of the for sup
port til second moan, still fainter than the first, sent
pang through her maternal breast.
She must not die in the stroetr' mirmured Rachel.-
"IIone-home! i'll have strength TO reach IT,"
'Oh, God!" she cried with sudden burst of anSasf
"protect my boyl Shield him from crime; guard hin
against vices and the hideous which in thousan
solemnly stake him in Thy mercy"
1t was christans prayer wrung from mothers hear
uttered in faith in agony and tears and angels bore II
the mercy y-seat on high.
Claspny her persng child still closer to her achin
bosom, the drunkards wife hastenel to her honln.
As Richard Hoffman rushed along the street, scare
knowing whittier he went and only intent the one dc
of getting by MEANS food for his famished motht
and sister, he was hailed by Jack Manders, an impsh az
quaintance who lived Richards home, and 20 who
he told the desperate state in which he had left those
dear to him. Jack listened with much interest," ana
proposed to Richard to help him pick the pockets
an old gentleman, who was staring into window on U
opposite side Of the Richard refused with horro
although Jack argued the necessity of getting som
thing to the life of his mother and little Mary Ja'
then undertook the business alone and just he had
lieved the old gentleman of his pocket-book pocem
spraDg from door way arrest him; but Jack made
escape. Not Richard, who at once seized by q
policeman accompice of the escaped pickpocket,
81 am thief, sir" cried Richard breaking from 7
strong grasp that held him, and throwing himsefat
feet of the old gentleman who had just to the
"thoagh poverty and hunger tempted mo TO become or
Ny mother and sister starving"
The future history and trials of this poor boy will be q
en- tine New York Ledger of january 10, which is
sale at all thebook stores and news Offices.