The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-01-20

Mary in her arms, and protected by the |
presence of her son, she ventured into the |
house.
rs 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 1.-THE
Grown and Mag ie," snappishly.
Perhaps you 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 20 in there - shouted the
landlady, as Rachel was making her way
toward the psrlor. "Mine Is a respecta
BILE house l allow no females beyond the
bar"
"But am Mr.. Hofmans wife,"
80 they all say" answered the woman
with a sneer.
There was coarse, hooking 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 des.
pairing tone. III 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 aud Rachel proceeded with
her children ii she reached the thorough
fare leading through st. Margaret's church
yard towards the Almonry, when Il faint
moan from Mary, whom sh, still carried
in her arms, arrested her steps, She pla-
ced her hand und,r the THU faded shawl
which covered her the child was cod as
ice, and shivering, 40 if seized with an
ague fit.
"She is dying" groansd the terror
stricken parent-"dying for the want of
food"
The heart Of the boy could endure no
more-it was breaking. The cup of mis-
cry and endurance had heen filed to over
flowing His brain was on fre-tears
could not quench it.
Take her home mother !" he cried
stake her home never fear but l will
bring yon food Mary shant die I'll
beg beg" he added anything to save
her -
"Richard Richard do not leave me!''
shrieked his agonized parent. LET Inc
not lose both my children if you love
your mother, return - for PHYS sake re-
turn"
The appeal came to late. Her son,
stung, madened beyond endurance by the
suferings 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 chung to the ratings of the
churchyard + support, till second moan
still fainter than the first sent pang
through her maternal breast.
"She must not die in the street !" muir.
INJURED Ra hel, Monochrome if have
strength to reach it,
"Oh, God !" she cried with sudden
burst Of anguish, protect my boy Shield
him from crime guard him against vices
and the hideous shares which in Thousand
forms assal untriended youth or take
him." she added solemnly, stake him OIL
Thy mercy"
1t was christ ian's prayer wrung from
mothers heart, uttered in faith in agony
and tears and angels bore it to the mer
cy.seat on high.
Clasping her perishing child yet closel
to her aching bosom, the drunkard's wife
FASTENED to her home.
As Richard Hoffman rushed along thu
streets, scarce knowing whittier he went
and only intent on the one idea of getting
by SOME means, food for his furnished moth
er and sister, he was hailed by Jack Man
ders. an impish acquaintance who ivec
near Ricnard's home, and to whom he tolc
the desperate state in which he had left those
10 dear 70 him. Jack listened with muct
interest, and at once proposed to Richard
to help him to pick the pocket Of an ole
gentleman, who was staring into window
on the opposite side of the street Rich
ard refused with horror, although Jacl
urged the necessity of at once getting some
thing 10 save the life Of his mother anC
little sister Mary. Jack then undertook
the business alone, and just as he had re
li,ved the old gentleman OF his pocket
book, a policeman sprang rom doorway
to arrest MIN but Jack made good hi
escape. Not so with Richard, who wa
at once seized by the policeman as an &C
complete OF the escaped pickpocket.
II anu no thief, sir 4" cried Richard
breaking from the strong grasp that helc
him, and throwing himself at the feet o
the old gentleman, who had just come tt
the spot Though poverty and hunger temp
ted me to become one. My mother and
sister are starving"
The future history and trials Of thi
poor boy will be given in the New Yorl
Ledger of January 10. which is Tor salt
at ali the bookstores and news offices.