The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1858-12-22

Sustained BY its Mothers BIeod.
We yesterday heard of case Of desti-
tuition which we believe TO be unparalcl-
ed in the annals Of want and misery A
serving girlin the family Of Mr., McGrew,
Of the firm Of McGrew' 4 Co., the we'll
known jewellers, and who reside on Eighth
street, between Cutter and Linn, on We'd
nesday afternoon last threw some garbaec
into an alley in the rear Of the house,.
She observed a couple of little children,
girls, the eldest not over twelve years old,
rush at the pile Of refuse, and, selecting
portions of it, put il TO their months and
eat it most rayenouslyS Struck with this
exhibition Of extreme hunger on Che part
Of the children, She asked them if they
would like to have some bread, 70 which
they eagerly replied in the affirmative,
intimating that they would be glad to
take any thing that would keep them
from starving. Sne then took them into
the kitchen and gave to each portion Of
load. When the children left she
watched them and observed them enter
an old an quite dilapidated stable on the
opposite side Of the alley. The servant
girl then informed Mr.. McGrew of what
had happened, and that gentleman, in
company with neighbor, visited the sta
bic, and there witnessed scene which
beggars description. Stretched upon the
floor on some damp and mouldy straw
were number of children, huddled To-
gether, seeking warmth by contact with
each other, and some clothed with ut
single garment, and that of the thinnest
texture. In a corner was seated wo-
man
I" Clothed in mwomnnly rags"
budding to her bosom child, apparently
about two months old, and vainly Gu
deavoriug to give it sustenancc, but in
stead of it drew nothing bit blood from
her exhausted breasts.
The woman was apparently not more
than thirty-fye years old, although the
mother of seven children, all of whom
were with her in the miserable howell where
she was found. Her story was soon told.
She had been well raised and had seen
better days, much better-she could not
have seen worse-days, and, until pc
Rod Of two years after her marriage, had
known no want. But her husband yield
ed 10 an appetite for liquor, became first
drunkard, then a sot, and finally aban-
doned her. Three or four days previous
TO her being found by Mr. McGrew, her
landlord had turned her out of house and
home for non-payment of rent. She then,
with her little ones, wandered about the
streets until she found the deserted sta
ble and had remained there ever since,
absolutely without food. Her babe had
soon exhausted the maier..ai nourishment
rs I-'S1177iich -nature supplied.
mr. bfv6rvw and his friend, whose
name we regret TO have been unable to
learn, set to work vigorously to make
them comfortable as possible under the
circumstances. A couple of dollars worth
Of provisions were purchased and present
ed. Mrs. McGrew and other ladies fur
nished them with clothing, and they were
soon made comfortable for the night.
Yesterday morning renewed exertions
were made for their welfare. A shoe
maker was sent for and the children were
measured for shoes--and here scene
rather ludicrous occurred, if any thing
ludicrous conld occur amid so much DESC
lation and misery; the little fellows UNI
used to having their feet thus encased,
fought manfully against having shoes put
on them and il was with difficulty they
could be reconciled 10 wear them. In
the evening an application was made to
have the family removed to the City In.
Urinary, and we presume this morning
they will be taken to that institution.
The woman is named Sheppard; she
is an American, and traces of beauty and
Intelligence still linger around her worn
and haggard features.
[Cincinnati Enquirer.
What sad picture eff restitution and
misery is here presented! Truly intern
perance is monster vice! It's victims
number millions.