Spirit of the age., 1858-07-14
3listslIaneous,
Fov tire Spirit of the Age.
The Heroine.


Several years ago, while on tour in
the far west. l was travelling one v,ry
warm, sultry day in the month of August
through a thinly settled portion of the
state Of A, Being much fatigued, was
very anxious to reach some point where
could get relroshWent for myself and my
horse. After travelling several long miles,
almost starved frSn extreme thirst and
hunger, without scetgg any house, or any
thing in human shape, at length reached
small cabin on the roadside. The ap-
pearauce was a very bad one, and | did
not expect to find many "goOd things"
there bat being 90 feInt aud weariedsI de-
termiucd to halt and rest a while at least
After halooing two or three times, the
lady OF the house made her appearance at
the door. "hladam," said !, 81 would like
TO have accommodations for myself and
horse" "Sir" says she, "the chance is
very bad for you to be accommodated as a
traveller sdoald be-" | told her that had
travelled great distance without any food
for myself or horse, and was almost past
travelling, and that would receive it as an
act of great kindness if she would prepare
me bite of dinner aud bundle of oats
or fodder fer my horse. "Weil, Sir
She replied, II hardy know what to say
to you. My husband is not at home,
and not only that, we have but little
to cat. But however, you may light
and we will try to do the best we can,"
she called her little son Willie aud told
him to 90 with mo 10 the barn and get
some oats for my horse. The little bright
eyed boy trotted along before me to the
barn. said to him. "Willie, where is
your Pa to-day ?" "Papa got up soon
this morning aud went of, said be, "aud
Mama says she is afraid he has gone to the
grog.shop agaio, where he goes to so often
and comes iogle 20 mad aud scolds Mama
and Inc so bad"
After feeding my horse, we returned to
the house the Lady invited ME in and af-
ter giving ME cool drink of water she
said she was very busy scalding and scour-
ing and could not stop work herself, but
had sent her daughter to the little cook
house to get ne some DINNER. Very
WELL says |, de not neglect your business
She told me that she was very anxious tc
to finish her work before her husbands re
turn, for he was given to the intoxicating
cup and that he often returned home il
such a rage, that she was compelled to La
aside her work, whatever it might be, anC
gather up her children and resort to tn,
woods for their safety aud that she ha
frequently received severe punishment q
his hands. While sue was relating he
lamentable story, 1 remained in silence. -
Seeing the poor woman in such a sad col
dition and the tears trickling down b,
face while she kept busily engaged at h,
work, caused me to almost forget my hui
ger.
This was kiad hearted woman, wi
had for many years been u slave to a me
ciless and cruel husband. But this seel
ed to be the day when she was to becor
the heroine of one among the noblest
deeds, as the sequel of this story will sho
The hastily prepared dinner was NJ
announced, and after partaking heartily
it, learned that 1t would require eve
minute of my time to reach the next hot
by night, so was compelled to pursue
journey. inquired what should D.
her for my dinner, &c. She answer
that It was hardly worth any thing, but
thought it not too much | might pay |
twenty-five cents. l replied that | '
willing to pay her double that amor
for her kindness So l gave her b
dollar and another to little Willie "
was standing in readiness to acconps
me to the stable for my horse. Just at
moment the gate opened aud we hear,
gross, grumbling voice. The poor wen
on looking out, exclaimed, /" There's
bert, my drunken husband vii
what shall we do there is your p
drunk again. o, dear children, "
shall we do-what shalt we do ?-he lc
70 furious" lie came staggering ale
cursiDg the gate as he left it, bare. hea
and his shirt collar laid open, with