The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-01-21
RICHARD HOFFMA N.
TALE or LOVE AND RErnIBUTroY.

TALE OF LOVE AND RETRBUTIoN.
Rachel Bently, the lovely daughter Of one Of the
riChcstmerchants of London, having married George
Hoffman, one Of her fathers clerks, during the old
mans absence in India, he on his return dsiuheri-
ed her and discharged George The latter being
| overwhelmed by disappointment, took to drink, and
in few years bocamea habtual drunkard, his wife
supporting herself and two children-Richard, now
tuo boy i'll his thirteenth year, and Mary a sweet
child Of sixby selling, one after another, the
remnants Of her once costly wardrobe and jewelry.
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 mourning for bread, and crying
with cold.
The drunken father was at the dram-shOp.
The agonized mother had but one more article Of
value leit-a locket containing IL lock Of her faith
| er's hair. She had hoped to be able to save this,
the last mementO Of her once happy home. But
goaded by little Marys cries for food she seized the
lOcket, rushed to q pawnbrokers, obtained few
5hlings, put by the amount of the rent and with
the rost purchased little bread and milk for her
children, and then set out, with them, to visit the
old confidential clerk Of her father Peter Mangos
who had ever been kind to her to consult him
about sending Richard away from the communicating
influences wigh which he was surrounded.
On returning home late on New Years eve from
her frutless visit for the old clerk not at hOne
Rachel discovered that her hu u;band had boen home
and stolen the sum she had put by for the rent from
the place whore she had concealed it, and gone off
again to "The Crown and Ma5pie" tavern to waste
it in drunkenness Litte Mary, chilled and hun
cry began to cry for food, and the suffering mother
in hopes Of regaininga portion Of the money taken
by her husband, set ont with her children to the
haunt Of vice whittier George Hoffman had gone.
1vig pr, al ut 10 Il nf 'rnWn
and Magpic." The lanilady-a stout vulgar-0Ok
ing woman, with red ribbons on her cap, proruson
Of false curs, a heavy gold chain around her neck,
and numerous rings ON her fat tlngerS-was busily
engaged in pouring out gin for her customers; the
regular ones she was treating-fort it must not bc
forgotten that it was New-l cars eve.
such was the scene of vice and dissipation which
met tho eye and sickened the heart Of Rachel when,
with little Mary in her arms, and protected by the
presence of her son, she vontured into the house.
"ls Mr.. Hoffman hereY she inquired family.
The question had to be repeated several times
before she could get an answer.
Cant tell the names Of any of my customers"
replied tho mistress Of"The Crown and Magpie,'
snappishy.
"i'arhaps you will oblige me oy asccrtanins."
"Too busy, miami Hot water Sally! Three and
eight.pen,c, sir. lIalfand-halG directly!
you cant go in there" shouted the andlady, as
Rachel was making her way towards the parlor.--
"Mino is n respectable house, laliow no females be-
yonl tho bar"
"ButI nm Mr.. HoiTman's Wife"
"SHy they nil SAY" answered the woman with a
sncer.
There was a course, mOciing laugh from the
crowd Of half ifdrun.en wretches standing near. Tho
eyes of Richard fla she'd angrily; but the voice, and
still more, tho implorins look his mother restrain
cd him.
"Let us return home, said she, in a dispairing
tone. 81 feel faint and sick at heart"
And leaning on the arm Of her sou, the unhappy
wife tottered rathnr than walked from the place.
The keen, frosty airpqrtially restored her strength
and Rachel proceeded with het children till she
reached the tlroroughfaro leading through ST. Mar
gnret hurch yard towards the AlmOnry when |
faint mourfrfTom Mary whom she still carried in |
her arms, arresteA bis steps She placed her hand
under the thin faded shawl which covered her; the
child was cold as ice, and shyering, as if seized with
an ague lit.
she is dying" groancd tho terror.strickon par
ent-"dyng for the want of foodP' st'a...., D.
The heart of her 10y could endure no moro-t |
was breaking. The cup Of misery and endurance
had been filed to overlooking. His brain was on
Grc-tears could not quench it.
"Takc her homc mother!" he criod--"tako her
home never fear but will bring you food! Mary
shant die! I'll beg--beg," he added; anything to
save her!"
"Richa,i! Richard do not leave mel" shrieked
his agonized parent. "Lct me not lose both my
children! ifyOu love your mother, return-for PHYS
sake return"
Thcappeal camo too late Her son. stung, mad
denod beohnd endurance by the suherings Of those
SO dear to him. had broken from her feeble grasp,
darted down the thoroughfare, and was already be-
yol d the reach of her vOiee.
Rachel clung to the raings Of the churchyard for
support, till second mourn, still fainter than the
first, sGnta pang through her maternal breast.
"Sho must not die in the street," murmured llach-
el. "llome-home! if | have strength to reach il"
"0h, GOd!' she cried with sudden burst Of an
guish, protect my boy Shield him from crime;
guardnim against vices and the hdeous snnreSwhich
in thousand forms assNil unfriended youth; or take
him" she added solcmny, "take him in Thy mercy"
Clasping her porishngchild yet closer to her ach-
ing bosom, the drunkard's wife fastened TO her
home.
As Richard Hoffman rushed along tho street,
scarce knowing whtherhe went, and only intent on
the ono idea Of getting by SOME means food for his
famished mother and sister, he was hailed by Jack
ManderS, an impish Acquaintance who lived near
Richards home, and to whom ho told the desperate |
state in which he had left those so dear to him.
Jack listened with much interest, and at once pro-
posed to Richard to help him to pick the pocket of
an old gentleman. who was staring into window
on the opposite side of the street. Richard refused
with horror, although jack urged the necessity. OF
at one getting something to save the life OF ms
mother and ittc Mary. Jack then undertook tho
business alone, and just he had relieved the old
gentleman of his pooket-book, policeman sprang
from doorway to arrest him; 1nt Jack made goPd
iseacnpe Not 50 Rchaed, who was at once seized
.by the polieeman.as an aceopplico Of the escaped
piokpoeket 49,
4Iapi no thief, si9.'' cried Richard breaking from
the strong grasp that heldhm, and throwing him,
self atthe faet Of the old gentleman, who'hed just
como to the spot "though poverty and hunger
tcmpted me to become one. My mother and sister
The future history and trials Of this poor boy will
bo given in the New York Ledger of January 10,
which Il for sale at all tho BOOKSTORES and news
oHeos.
r-The woman who paints her face, offers
an unmstakable insult to nature-and also "
the lips.of maa- VI
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U-TThe worthy men is decreet he may notice
n - k,,k l.. anaaka nf |