Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-01-15
RICHARD HOFFMAN.
A TALE OF LOVE AND KETErEUTIoy.

having married George Hoffman, one of
her fathers clerks, during the old mans
absence in India, he on his return dIsin-
herited her aud discharged George. The
latter being overwhelmed by disappoint-
ment, took to drink, and in few years
became a habitual drunkard his wife
supporting herself and two children
Richard, now fine boy in his thirteenth
year, and Mary, sweet child Of six-by
selling, one after another, the remnants Of
her once costly wardrobe and jewelry.
On the las. 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 dram
shop.
! The agonized mother, had but one more
article of value left-a locket containing
lock of her fathers hair. She had hop
ed to be able to save this, the last memen-
to of her once happy home. But goaded
by little Mary's cries for food she seized
the locket, rushed to pawnbroker's, OBJ
tained few shillings, put by the amount
Of the rent and with the rest purchased 4
little bread and milk for her children, and
then set out, with them, to visit the old
confidential clerk Of her father, Peter
Manrles. who had .a.n- boon 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 Years
eve from her fruitless visit, for the old
clerk was not at home, Rachel discovered
that her husband had been home and sto-
len the sum she had put by for the rent
from the place where she had concealed it,
and gone of again TO "The Crown aud
Magpie" 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 tho bar of
"The Crown and Maggie" The laDdla-
dy-a stout, vulgar-looking woman, with
red ribbons in her cap, profusion of false
curls, heavy gold chain round her neck,
and numerous rings on her fat fingers
was busily engaged in pouring out gin for
her customers the regular ones she was
treating-for it must not be forgotten that
it was New Years eve.
Such was the scene of vice and dissipa-
ton which met the eye and sickencd the
heart of Rachel when, with little Mary in
her arms, and protected by the presence
of her son, she venturcd into the house.
sIs Mr.. Hoffman here p she inquired,
family.
The question had to be repeated sever
al times before she could get an answer
"Can't tell the names of any of my Gus
TONER'S" replied the mistress of "The
Crown and Magpie," snappishly.
"Perhaps you will obligc me by ascer-
tainiDg"
"Too busy, ma'am. Hot water, Sally.
Three and eight-peuce, sir. Halfand-
half directly
"lou can't go in there ~ shouted the
landlady, as Rachel was making way to-
wards the parlor. "Mine is a respectable
house; allow no females beyond the bar"
"But am Mr. Hoffman's wife"
$50 they all SAY" answered the woman.
with sneer.
There was coarse mocking laugh from
the crowd of half drunken wretches stand
ing near. The eyes of Richard flashed
angrily; but the voice, and still more, the
imploring look of his mother restrained
him.
"Let US return home" she said in a
despairing tone. 81 feel faint and sick at
heart"
And leaning on the arm of her son, the
unhappy wife tOttered rather than walked
from the place.
The keen, frosty air partially restored
her strength, and Rachel proceeded with
her children till she reached the thorough.
fare leading through St. Margarct's church
yard towards the Almonry, when a faint
moan from Mary, whom she still carried
in her arms, arrested her steps She
placed her hand under the thin faded
shawl which covered her; the child was
cold as ice, and shivering, as if seized
with an ague fit
"She is DYING groaned the terror
stricken parent-"dyiDg for the want Of
food :"
The heart Of her boy could endure no
more-i, was breaking. The cup of mis-.
cry and endurance had been filed to over
flowing. His brain was on fre-tears
could not quench it.
"Take her home mother" :" he cried
utala ber home mayor fear but | will