Smyrna times., 1858-01-21

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[ brokers', obtained few shillings, put by the
amount of the rent and with the rest purchased
8 a little bread 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 contamnating
influences with which he was surrounded.
On returning home late on New-Year' 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 1t, and gone offagain TO The Crown
and Magpe" tavern TO waste it in drunken
ness. Little Mary, chilled and hungry, began
to cry Tor 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 landlady-a stout,
vulSar-looklng woman, with red ribbons in h:r
cap, protuslOn of false curls, heavy gold
chain round her neck, and numerous rings on her
lat hngers-waS busIly engaged in pouring out
i gin for her customers; the regular ones she
Ireating-for it must not be forgotten that il
was New years eve.
Such was the scene of vice and dissipation
which met the eye and sickened the hear OF
Rachel when, with little Mary in her arms,
and protected by the presence of her son, she
ventured into the house.
"ls MIR. Hoffman here!" she inquired faint
ly. =.
The question had to be repeated several
times before she could get an answer.
"Can't tell the names of any of my custom
ers," replied the mistress of 3" The Crown and
Maspic," snapp SHY.
Perhaps ycu Will Oblige me by ascertain
ing" -
"Too busy, ma'am! Hot water Sally Three
and eIght-pence, sir. Halfand- half directly |
You can't 60 in tbere!" shouted the land !
lady, as Rachel was making her way towards |
the parior. Mine is a respectable house | |
allow no females beyond the bar"
But am Mr.. Hofman's wife !''
$50 they all SAY" answered the woman,
with sneer.
There was coarse, mocking laugh from the |
crowd of half drunken wretches standing near.
The eyes of R;cl ard flashed angrily; but the !
v"lce and still II ore, the implorng look of his
mother restraint d him.
"Let US return home," she said in despair. !
ing tone. :" feel faint and sick at heart"
And leaning on the arm of her son, the un-
happy wife totlered rather than walked from
the place.
The keen, frosty air partially restored her
strength and Rachel proceeded with her chill !
dren I'LL she reached the thoroughfare leading
through st Margaret's church yard towards the
Amonry, when a faint moan from Mary, whom
she still carried in her arms arrested her steps.
Sac placed her hand under the thin faded shawl
which covered her; the child was cold as ice,
and shivering, os if seized with an ague fit.
"She is dying!' groaned the terror-stricken
l,,g eIN. q ~
The heart her boy could endure no more
it was breaking. The cup of misery.an endu-
rance had been filed TO overfowing. His brain
was on fre-tears could not quench it.
"Take her home mother!" he cried-"take
her home never fear but will bring you food
Mary shan't die! I'll beg--beg," be added
" anything to save her! ~ IA
"Richard! r chard do not leave mel"
shriekcd his agonized parent. "Let me not
lose both my children if you love your mother,
return-fUr PHYS sake return!''
The appeal came too late. Her son, stung,
maddened beyond endurance by the sufferings
of those SO dear to him, had broken from her
feeble grasp, darted down the thoroughfare, and
was already beyond the reach of her voice. !
Rachel cIung to the ratings of the church ;
yard for support, till a second moan still fainter
than the first, sent a pang through her mater
nal breast. ,
"She must not die in the street ~ murmered r
Rachel. "HOme--home! if have strength to /
each it," IL
"Oh, God /" she cried with a sudden burst of f
lnguish, "protecl my boy Shield him from I
rhine, guard him against vices and the hideous o
nares which in a thousand forms assail un- b
riended youth; or take him." she added SOL
'mnly, stake him in Thy mercy"
1t was Christians prayer wrung from a mo. ::
hers beart uttered in faith, in agong, and -
ears; and angels bore it to the mercy-seat on
Ugh. ;,
Ciasping her perishing child yet closer to y
Ter aching bosom, the drunkard's wife hastened y
o her home.
AS Richard Hoffman rushed along the street, n
carce knowing whittier he went, aud only in
ent on the one idea OF getting, by SOME means,
ood for his famished mother and sister, he was
allied by Jack Manders, an impish acquain. OF
aimee who lived near Richards home, and to
whom he told the desperate state in which he u
ad left those so dear to him. Jack listened %
With much interest, and at4once proposed TO
Iichard to help him to pick the pocket of an %
Id gentleman, who was staring into a window III
n the opposite side of the street Richard re- 10
used with horror, although Jack urged the ne.
essity of at once getting something to ave the
ife of his mother and little mary. Jack then %
Undertook the business alone, and Just as he ul
ad relieved the old gentleman Of his pocket v,
ook. a policemuif sprang from a doorway to u
rrest him; but Jack made good his esca pe.-
Iot 20 Richard, who was at once seized by, the .
oliceman as an aOeomplice of the escaped pick 81
ocket .yHt' 3us 4-r4a - a. | or
alan no thief, sry cried Richard, breaking ot
rom the,strong graspthat held him, and throw us
1g himselfa& the feet of the old gentleman, pl
tho hadjast come TO the spot, /" though, ,pqger- IN
y'and hunger tempted me to- become one.-- -.
D. mother and sister are starving, -, ,,., IN
The fnture history and trials of this poor how an
,ill be viyeniinLhe New York Ledger of Jann- Ilhl
ry a6swhich is for sale at all abe booksellers ih
nd news, Offices. a -, ltu
d, an Iva - - .,'l' ID
= .a..aafl., - M
~ nn hiaoaIna eutor, ~ 9Very swehing fa