Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-11-27
ASHTABULA, o. SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER ~ 1858l


together had made matters so bad that in
justice TO their own townsfoIk, they ought
not to have giyen me even that, and that
mustn't trouble them again.
On mention Of a shilling, Ally ouietly
filed the snfall tin Kettle, and set IL on the
now sparkling FIRE, slipped on his overcoat
aud cap, and then nodded to mother. who
of course understood him to mean, Pm
ready to go to the shop She popped the
coin into his hand, and away he trotted ON
his joyful errand. During his short alb.
sence, what preparations Midgkins and Lou.
cy made how they hustled about: how
they set ont the old cracked cups and sau.
GERS, the two battered leaden teaspoons,
and the old broken spouted brown tea potl
Father meantime recouuted the partnlars
OF Mrs. Niggs's visit, which grieved his
wife, although it did not surprise her
Laden with loaf tea sugar, and two red
herrngs, Alfy returned and the whole fami-
ly-in spite of landlades and turn.outs.
and the cold weather-enjoyed hearty
meal; babkms (baby, mean) tucking i'm
wonderful quantities Of weak tea aud sopp.
ng bread. Poor fellow the maternal
nourishment must needs have been bu,
scanty.
Breakfast over, everybody looks more
lively; father thinks that after all the suow
mayn't come to-day; mother fancies that
the weaiher's mildcr than it was two hours
ago;' and the boys button on their coats.
Well, well, we must even try our luck
says the mountebank; we mnst see if we
can't get as far ms EgInthorpe; there's
ialr held there Tomorrow It's no use try.
ing the town again; what with the strike
and the dearness of food, poor folks can't
give, and rich ones never stop to look at US
Keep up your spirits, Agnes; perhaps we
may make pitch at some village on the
road; and If we do I'll send you half of
whatever we get; so look out for a letter.
80 saying, he strapped drum round his
waist, over miserable ragged grey coat,
and pinned little square of worn carpet
ing over Mi1gkins shoulders; Agnes tied
her own cotton shawl round Alfy, kissed
her boys, said good.by to them and father,
but still seemed to linger about them; and
when they were quite ready for "a start, she
laid baby on the bed, followed them down
stairs, kissed them once more, thrust the re-
mains of the loaf into Afy's pocket, and
whispered to him: BE kind to little Midg-
kinsP Mother watched her treasures in
their progress down the street; and when
they were quite out of sight, she turned
away with a heavy heart to her infant
charge in the garret. Poor mother! why
was her heart so heavy2 Often and often
had she been separated from her husband
aud the boys for three and four days at a
time, willie they pursued their calling
Why, then. was her heart SO heavyY
II. THE MOOR.
On they went-the mountebank and his
boys-through dirty, po, o,erty-stricken lanes
ON, on, through dark, detected looking
courts and narrow alleys where father
thought it just possible they might raise a
few pence. In front streets aud bustling
thoroughfares, he was aware that none
would be tempted to stop and admire their
performance. Indeed, had q few specta-
tors been, by some wonderful chance, col
lected in any such locality, the police would
certainly have interfered with the customa-
ry gruH move on there 7 After thread
ing innumerable intricate passages, and tor
t1OuS by-ways, with which the mountebank
seemed perfectly familiar, our little party
emerged into large open sqare-in former
times, used as a y-murket-whch, being
surrounded by worxmen's cottages, was a
place where, perhaps, an audience might
assemble; so father beat the drum with all
his might, Alfred startled the neghborhood
with the clash of cymbals, and little Midg.
kinS shook and spread his:tiny square of car
pet, Ly way of giving note of preparation
to paSserS by. The drum and cymbal over
ture continued for full ten minutes before
any one condescended to notice the efforts
of the performers.
Three or four workuien, having just dined,
then sauntered to the doors of their respec-
tive dwellings, where they stood while
leisurely smoking their pipes aud enjoying
the fresh air; few children, too, attracted
by the noise, formed into group to witness
the proceedings of the professionals; and
a young woman with an infant in her arms
leaned out Of the upstairs window of one
of the adjacent Cottages. Father cast his
practiced eyes around, counted heads, and
his shoulders He drummed away
for another five minutes, aud then took
second survey of his audience, but without
any satisfactory result, II one might judge
from the rueful expression of his couutc-
nance; however, he muttered to himself
we must make the best of it, l suppose;
it's the only likely place for pitch at this
end Of the town.
Giving a sort of sideways nod to the boys,
they took the cue from him with great alac-
rity, divested themselves uf their coats, aud
to dazzle and delight all beholders
with the splendOr Of their wardrobe, and
the combined grace and agility of their
Unluckilyi just us these pre-
parations were completed, ding dong, ding
doug, went the large bell of the nearest
factory, and, Obedient to its summons, away
walked the workmen. A moment after
was heard the tinklng of q school-bell,
whereupon, with unwilling steps and slow,
as If sorry to be thus deprived OF the ex-
pectet sight, the adniring scholars moved
of. Father and boys, perceiVing that no
chance remained of earning even the small;
esI pittance, made ready for their depart
ure. just as they were walking sadly away,
the young woman at the window called out
'Bide a bit I've Summat for the little lads
ID tl,, y.,.f 4 A. q