Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-01-16
RICHARD HOFFMAN.
A TALE OF LOVE AND RErnIBurro.

Rachel Bcntly, the lovely daughter of one Of the
richest merchants of London having married George
Hoffman, OF her fathers clerks, during the old
mans absence in India, he on his return dsinherited
her and discharged George. The latter being over
wielmed BY disappointment, took to drink and in II
few years became habitual drunkard: his wife sun
porting herself and two children-Richard, now ane
boy in his thirteenth year, and Mary -weet child
sixby selling one after another the remnants of her
once costly wardrobe and ewelry.
On the last day OF December of the year in which
story opens Rachel without Cood light or fire
and that very day the rent must be pad.
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 article Of
value left-a locket continuing lock of her father's
hair. She had hoped TO be able to save this the las,
memento of her once happy home. But goaded by
little Mary cries for food she seized the ocke rushed
to pawnbrokers, obtained few shilling put bv the
amount Of the rent and with the rest purchased little
bread and milk for her children and then set ont with
them to visit the old confidential clerk of her father
Peter Mangles, who had ever been kind TO her M
consult him about sending Richard away from the
communicating influences with which he was sur.
rounded.
On returning home late on New Years eve from bo,
fruitless visit, for the old clerk was not nj home
Rachel discovered that her husband had been home
and stolen the she had put by for the rent from
the place where she had concealed IT, and gone on
again to "rhe Crown and Magpie" tavern TO waste !,
in drunkenness Little Mary, chilled and hungry
began 10 cry 'or iOod, anu tho suffering mother /,
hopes of regaining portion of the money taken by he,
husband set out with her children to the haunt Of vic,
whittier George Hoffman had gone
There was n great crowd Mt the bar of "The Crown
and Magple' The landady-a stout vugar-lookine
woman, with ed ribbons IN her cap, A pro(nsion u
false curls, heavy gold chain around her neck nd
numerous rings on her fat ingers-was busilv en- ~
ged in pouring out gin for her customers; the regular
that it was New-Year's eve.
such was the scene Of vice and dissipation which
met the eye and sickened the heart of Rachel wbsn
win h'tie Mary III nor arms, and protected by the
presence OF her son, she yentured into the house
as Mr., Hoffman here" she inquired. family
The question had to be repeated several times befor,
she could get nm answer
Cant tell the names Of any of my customers" re-
pishly. ofN' '"'P
Perhaps You will oblige inc by asceraining"
TOO busy na'am! Hot water Sally! Three nm,
eight-pence, sir. Halfand-half directly,
"Y0u can't go in there!' shouted the land,d,. NJ
Rachel was making her way towards the parlor-
"Mne Is respectable house | allow no females be
yOnd the bar" ~
"But am Mr. Hofinan's wife"
$50 they all SAY" answered the woman. with
sneer. ' wa"
There was coarse, hooking laugh from tho crow,
OF nan drunken wretches standing near. The eyes o
MORE the imploring look of his mother restrained
him. '''"''
Let us return home,' she said, in despairr,
| tone u feel faint and sick at heart"
And leaning on the arm of her SON. the unhann,
wife tottered rather than walked from the place
The keen frosty air partially restored her strength
and Rachel proceeded with her children till she reach
ed the thoIoughiare leading through ST. Margret'
| church yard towards the Almony. when faint moa,
from Mary, whom she still carried in her arms, arrest
cd her steps. She placed her hand under the hi,
csed ssaWl which covered hcr the child was cold
"She is dyingr' groaned the terror-s1icke en- norsn
| -"dying for the want Of food I"
The heart Of her boy could endure no more-it wa
breaking Tho cup misery and endurano. had be-,