Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-01-26


father, Peter Mangles whohad ever been I
kind toshsrfto consult him abont sending |
Richard away from the contaminating in |
fInences with which he was surrounded
Onreturning home late on New Years
eve from her ruthless visit, for the old
clerk was not at home, Rachel discov-
cred that her husband had been at home
and stolen the sum she had put by for the
rent from the place where she had con-
cealed it, aud gone off again to "The Crown
and Magpie'' tavern to waste it in drunk
enness. Little Mary, chilled and hum
CRY, began TO cry for food, and the suf.
ferirg mother. in hopes of regaining
portion of the money taken by her hus
band. set out with her children to the
haunt of vice whittier George Hof.
man had gone. .eA
There was great crowd at the bar of
.sThe Crown and Magpie." The land
lady--a stout, vulsar-looking woman,
with red ribbons in her cap, profusion of
false curls, II heavy gold chain round her
neck, and numerous rings on her fat
6ngers-was busily engaged in pouring
gin for her customers; the regular ones
she was treating-for it must not be for
gotten that it was New Years eve.
Such was the scene of vice and dis
sipation which met the eye and sickened
the heart Of Rachel when, with little
Mary in her arzns, and projected by the
lpresence other son, she yentured into the
house. 1881
..Is Mr.. Hoffman here?'' she inquired.
family. asa.
The question had to be repeated sew
eral times before she could get, an an
swer. Af.a
5, Cant tell thes names of any of my
4 customers" replied the mistress of
"Crown and Magpie,'' snappishly.
"Perhaps you will oblige me by ascer-
taining.''. ,sr,. 4 ..+is..,. ~
.sToo busy, ma'aml Hot water Sally!
Three and eight-pence, sir. Half-and half
directly!
s.You can't go in therep' shouted the
land lady, as Rachel was making her way
Towards the parlor. t'Mine is a respec-
table house, allow no females beyond
the BARN aA sga tS@
.sBut ana Mr. Hofman's wife"
$50 they say" answered the woman,
with a sneer.
There was a coarse, mocking laugh
from the crowd of half drunken wretches
standing near. The eyes of Richard
more, the imploring look of his mother
t.Let us return home," she said in
despairing tone. 81 feel faint aud 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 restofed her
ond Ponbal r,r0caadad with her
children till she reached the thoroughfare
leading through ST. Margaret's churchyard
towards the Almonry when faint moan
from Mary, whom she still carried in her
arms arrested her steps. She placed her
4 hand underthe thin faded shawl which Gov
cred her; the child was cold as ice, and shil-
ering, as if seized with an ague fit.
'.She is dyingl' groaned the terror
sickeni parent dying for the want p Of
The heart of her boy could endure NO
more it was breaking. The cup of mis-
cry and endurance had been filledto over
flowing His brain was on fre-teaFs
could notquench it.
Take her home, mother!'' he cried
"take her homel Never fear but / will
, bring you food! Mary shan't die! I'll
beg-beg," he added; anything to save
her!''
e "Richard! Richardl do not leave mel
t shnelxed his agonized parent. ''Let me
+ not lose both my children! If you love
d your mother, return-for PHYS sake re
8 turnp'
e The appeal came too late. Her SON
II stung, maddened beyond endurance BY
d the sufferings of those so dear to him
g thad broken from her feeble grasp, darteo
If down the thorou ghfare, and was already
+ beyond the reach of her voice.:
il Rachel clung to the ratings of tn
5. churehyard forsupport, till second moan
8, still fainter than the first, sent a pans
|. through her maternal breast.
, seShe must not die in the street!'' mur
is mured Rachel. sss Home if Ihav
n strength reach it, ~ &
u aOh, God!' she cried with sudde
- burst of anguish, ssprotect my boyl Shiel
= him from crime; guard him against vice
and the hideous snares which in thou
:. sand forms assail unfriended youth; G
~ =, take him." she added solemnly, ''take hir
9 in Thy mercy
,e 1t was Christlan's prayer wrung fror
a mother heart, uttered in faith. in age
ny, and tears; and angels bore is to th
mercy seat on high.
Clasping her perishing child yet close
to her aching bosom, the drunkard's vii
FASTENED to her home. sAs t4F&
AS Richard Hoffman rushed along tn
street, scarce knowing whittier he wen
and only intent on the one idea of getting
by come means, food for his famishe
of mother and sister, he was hailed by JAG
n, Manders, an impish acquaintance VIII
of lived near Richards home, and to whol
IS he told the desperate state in which h
n had Loft thnen 90 dnar To him Lack Lis