The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-22

of the richest merchants Of London, having
married George Hoffman, one Of her fathers
CLERKS, during the old mans absence in In
dia, he on his return disinherited her and
discharged George. The latter being over
whelmed by disappointment took to drink,
and in few years became habitual drunk
ard; his wife supporting herself and two
childrsn-Richsrd, now . fine boy in hs
thirteenth year, and Mary, sweet child OF
six-by selling, one after another, the rem
nants Of her once costly wardrobe and jew.
elry.
On the last day Of December Of the year
in which our story opens, Rachel was with
out 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 o
lock Of her fathers hair. She had hoped
to be able to save this, the last momento Of
her once happy home. But goaded by lit.
Ito Mary's cries for food she seized the lock-
ct, rushed to q pawnbroker's obtained n
few shillings, put by the amount Of the rent
and with the rest purchased little bread
and milk for her children, and then set out
with them, to visit the old confidential clerk
of her father, Peter Mangles, who had ever
been kind to her, to consult him about send.
ing Richard away from the COMMUNICATING
influences with which he was surrounded.
On returning home late on New-Year' 9
eve from her fruitless visit, for the old clerk
was not ut 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 it, and gone Oh
again to 9Th, Crown and Magpie" tavern
to waste il in drunkenness. Little Mary,
chilled and hungry, began to cry for food,
and the suffering mother, in hopes Of regain
ins 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 q great crowd ut the bar OF
"The Crown and Magpie." The landlady
IA stout. vulgar looking woman, with ret.
ribbons in her cap, q profusion OF false curls
heavy gold cham round her neck, and
numerous rings on her TAT fngers0was bu.
silly engaged In pouring out gin for her GUS
toners; the regular ones she was treating
for 1t must not be forgotten that it was New.
Years eve.
Such was the scene Of vice and dissipation
which met the eye and sickened the heart Of
Rachel when, with little Mary in her arms,
and protected by the presence Of her son
she venturcd into the house.
"Is Mr.. Hoffman here?" she inquired
family.
The question had to be repeated several
times before she could get an answer.
Cant tell the names OF any OF my Gus
TONER'S" replied the mistress OF "The Crown
and Maybe" snappishly.
4" Perhaps you will oblige me by ascer
tanning"
"Too busy, ma'am! Hot water Sally
Three and eight.pence, sir. Half-and-hal
directly.
"You can't 60 in there !" shouted the
landlady, as Rachel was making her way
towards the parlor. "Mine il u respectable
house allow no females beyond the bar. ;
"But am Mr.. Hofman's wife,"
$50 they oil say" answered the woman
with sneer.
There was u coarse, hooking laugh from
the crowd Of half drunken wretches stand
ING near. The eyes Of Richard flashed an
grily; but the voice, and still more, tn,
imploring look Of his mother restrained
him.
"Let US return home" she said, 10
despairing tone. 81 feel faint and sick q
heart.
And leaning on the arm Of her son, tn,
unhappy wife tottered rather than walkeS
from the place.
The keen, frosty air partially restored hel
strength, and Rachel proceeded with hel
children till sho reached the thoroughfar,
leading through St Margaret's church. yart
towards the Almonry, when faint moan
from Mary, whom she still carried in hel
arms, arrested her steps. She placed hel
hand under the thin faded shawl which
covered her, the child was cold as ice, ant
shiyering, rs If seized with an ague fit.
"She is dying" groaned the terror
stricken parent dying for the want o.
food ~
The heart of her boy could endure nc
more-it was breaking. The cup III misery
and endurance had been filled to overflow,
ing. His brain was on 6re-tears could moi
"Take her home mother !" he cried
stake her home, never fear but will brinp
YOU food Mary shan't die I'm beg-beg,
he added 'anything to save her ~
"Richard Richard, do not leave me y
stneked his agonized parent. "Let mo moi
,ose 10Th my children! If you love your
mo,h,r, return-for pity s sake return''
TIL appeal came too late. Her son ,stung
maddensd beyond endurance by the suffer.
ings of those - dear to him, had broken
from her feeble grasp, darted down the
thoroushflre, and was already beyond the
reach Of her voice.
Rachel chung to the ratings Of the church.
yard for support, till q second moan, still
fainter than the first, sent pang through
her maternal breast.
=. She must not die in the street" muir.
INJURED Rachel. Monochrome il have
strength to reach it."
"Oh, Cod" che cried with sudden
burst Of anguish, protect my boy Shield
him from crime; guard him against vices
and the hideous snares which in thousand
forms assail unfriended youth; or take
him" she added solcmuly, take him in
Thy mercy"
Il was & Christians prayer wrung from
n mothers heart. uttered in faith. in agony,
and tears; and angels bore 1t to the mercy
seat on high.
Claspins her per,shing child yet closer to
her aching bosom, the drunkards wife hast
ened to her home.
"A Richard Hoffman rushed along the
street, scarce knowing whittier no went,
and only intent on the one idea OF getting,
by soxk means, food for his famished moth
er and sister, he was hailed by Jack Man
ders, an impish acquaintance who lived near
Richards home, and 70 whom he told the