Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-01-15
ITICIGARD HOFFMAN.


Rachel Bcntly. the loveiy deaghter Of one
of the richest merchautsoi London, having
married George Hoffman. one 81 her fathers
clerks, during the old man etsence in India,
he, on his return, disinhcrited hcr and dis
charged George. The latter being over
whclemed by disappointment, took to drink,
and in few years became an habtual drunk
ard bis wife supporting herself and two
childrcn-Richard, now a fine boy in his
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 without
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 ar
tice of value lcft--a lockct containing o. lock
of her fathers hair She had hoped to be
able to save this, the last memento of her
once happy home. But goaded by little
Mary's cries for food, she seized the locket,
rushed to pawnbroker's, obtained a few
shillings, put by the amount of the rent, and
with the rest purchased a 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 sending
Richard away from the contaminating nduen-
ces with which he was surrounded
On returning home late on New Year S eve
from her fruitlcss visit. for the old clerk was
not at home, Rachel discovered that her hus-
band had been home and stolen the sum she
had put by for the rent from the place where
she had concealed it, and gone off again to
" The Crown and Maggie tavern, to waste
it in drunkenness. Little Mary. chilled and
hungry, began to cry tor food. and the suffer-
ing mother, in hopes of regaining a 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 a great crowd at the bar of
The Crown and Magpie.' The landlady-
stout, vulgar-lookng woman, with red rib
bons in her cap, proiusion of false curls, a
heavy gold chain around her neck, and nu-
merous rings on her fat fngers-was busily
engaged in pouring out gin for her customers /;
the regular ones she was treating-for it 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
yentured into the house.
is Mr.. Hoffman here :" she inquired faint
ly.
The question had to be repeated several
times before she could get an answer.
" Can't tell the names of any of my custo-
mers replied the mistress of The Crown
and Maggie, snappishly.
ing"
TOO busy, maam Hot water. Sally
Three and eisht-penco, sir. Halfand-half
directly
" You cant go in there :" shouted the land
lady as Rachel was making her way towards
the parlor. mine is a respectable house
allow no female beyond the bar"
" But am Mr.. Hofman's wife"
- SO they all SAY answered the woman,
with a sneer.
There was coarse, mocking laugh from
the crowd Of half drunken wrotches standing
near The eyes of Richard flashed angrily:
but the voice, and still more, the implorinp
look of his mother restrained him
" Let us return home, she said in des-
pairing tone. " feel faint and sick at
heart"
And leaning on the arm Of her son. the I'M
happy 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 thorougbfare
leading through st. Margarct's church-yard
towards the Amonry, when faint moan
from Mary, whom she still carried in her
arms, arrested her steps. She placed her
hand under the thin faded shawl which COW
cred her the child was cold as ice, and shiy-
ering' as if seized with an aguc fit.
She is dying groancd the terror-stricl1
en- parent" dying for the want of food :"
The heart Of her boy could endure no moro
1t was breaking, The cup of misery and
endurance had been filled to overAowing.-
His brain was on fire-tears could not ouench
t. 1'N''
" Take her homo, mother, he cried take
her home never fear but | will bring YOU
food Mary shan't die I'll beg-beg," he
added anything to TO save her r'
" Richard Richard do not leave me 70
shrieked his agonized parent Let me NOT
loose both my children if you love your
mother, return-for PHYS sake return p
The appeal came too late. Her son. stung
maddened beyond endurance by the suiferings
of those so dear TO him. had broken from hor
feeble grasp, darted down the thoroughfarc,
and was already beyond tho reach of her
voice.
Rachel oluns to tho ratings Of the church
yard for support, till second moan, still
FAINTER than the first sent pang through her
maternal breast
- She must die in the street, murmured
Rachel Home-home if have strength
to reach IL 4"