Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-15

me WAS tIStahAAs9 ~ -
yotton that it was New-1ear's eve.
Such was the scene Of vice and dissl-
patton which met the eye and sickened
he heart of Rachel when, with little Ma
ry in her arms, and protectedby the pre-
sence of her son, she ventured into the
house.
as Mr.. Hoffman here? ?" 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
customers" replied the mistress of "Ihe
Crown and Maybe" snappishly.
" Perhaps yov will Oblige me by ascer-
tanning"
"Too busy, ma'am! Hot water Sally
Three and eight-pence, sir. Half-and-
half directly!
"You can't go in therel'' shouted the
landlady, ar Rachel was making her way
towards the parlor. "Mine is respect
able house 1 allow no females beyond
the bar"
But am Mr.. Hofman's wife,"
So they all SAY" answered the wo-
man, with a sneer.
There was a coarse, mocking laugh
from the crowd of half drunken wretch
es standing 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 thor
oughfare leading through St. Margaret's
church yard towards the Almonry, when
faint moan from Mary, whom she still
carried in her arms, arrested her steps
She placed her hand under the thin fad
ed shaw which covered her; the chile
was cold as ice, and shiyering, as if seized
! with an ague fit.
"She is DYING groaned the terror
. stricken parent" dying for the want o
food 70
The heart of her boy could endure M
= more-it was breaking. The cup 0
misery and endurance had been filed t
II overlooking. His brain was on fire
. tears could not quench it.
take her home mother ~ he cried
:" take her home! never fear but / wi
bring yoa food Mary shan't die !" /
beg-beg," he added; " anything to say
herp'
Richard !. Richard do not leav
me r' shrieked his agonized parent
. Let me not lose both my children
you love your mother, return-for pity
IF sake returnp'
n The appeal came too late. Her sol
IF stung, maddened beyond endurance b
= the suferings of those so dear to hir
n had broken from her feeble grasp, darte
10 down the thoroughfare, and was alread
+ beyond the reach of her voice.
PC Rachel chung to the ratings of Il
fa churchyard for support, till a secor
moan, still fainter than the first, sent
III pang through her maternal breast.
"She must not die in the street." mu
NJ INJURED Rachel. Monochrome! if
nj have strength to reach it,
"Oh, Godw she cried with a su,
be den burst Of anguish, "protect my boy
,oI Shield him from crime; guard him again
-. vices and the hideous snares which in
thousand forms assail unfriended you'll
81 or take him. she added solemnly, ''ta
him in Thy mercy"
1t was a Christians prayer wru
from mothers heart, uttered in faith,
go agony, and tears; and angels bore it
~ the mercy-seat on high.
.be1 Clasping her perishing child yet clos
~ to her aching bosom, the drunkard's W
fastened to her home.
r. As Richard Hoffman rushed along +
Tho street, scarce knowing whittier he we
-. and only intent on the one idea of Q
IN ting, by SOME means, food for his fami
I'D ed mother and sister, he was hailed
INF Jack Manders, an impish acquaitar
,tol who lived near Richards home, and
,bo whom he told the desperate state
i'm which be had left those so dear TO hi
the Jack listened with much interest, and
he once proposed to Richard to help him
pick the pocket of an old gentlemn, v
was staring into window on the op
ar site side of the street. Richard reful
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