The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-01-14

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 aud dis-ipa-
tion which met the eye and sickened the
heart of Rachel when, with little Mary in
her arms, and protected by the presence
Of her SOD, she yentured into the house.
"ls Mr.. Hoffman herel" she inquired
family.
The question had to be repeated sever
al times before she could get an answer.
Cant tell the names of any of my
customers replied the mistress Of "The
Grown and Maybe" snappishly.
Perhaps you Will oblige me By ascer-
tanning"
"Too busy, ma'sm' Hot water Sally!
Three and eight.pencc, sir. Half and
half directly
"You can't 20 in there :" shouted the
landlady, as Rachel was making her way
towards the parlor. "Mine is respec-
table house; l allow no females beyond
the bar"
"But [ am Mr.. Hoffn an S wife
$50 they all say" answered the woman
with a sneer.
There was coarse, mocking laugh
from the crowd Of half drunken wretches
standing near. The eyes of Richard
flashed angrily; but tie voice, and still
more, the imploring look of his mother
restrained him.
"Let Us return home" she said, in a
despairing tone. 81 feel faint and sick
at besrt"
And leaning on the arm Of ser son, the
unhappy wiie tottered rather than walked
frou the place.
The keen, frosty air partially restored
her strength, aud Rachel proceeded with
her children till she reached the thorough
fare leading through ST. Margaret :
church-yard towards the Almonry, when
fsiUt moan from Mary, whom she still
carried in her arms, arrested her steps.
She placed her hand under the thin IA
ded shawl which covered her; the child
was cold as ice, and Shiyering, as if seiE-
cd with an ague fit.
"Sbe is dying" groa ned the terror
stricken enparent-"dying for want of foodp'
The heart of her boy could endure no
more-it was breaking. The cup of mis-
cry and endurance bad been filed to o.
yeIhowiag His brain was Oh fre-tears
could lot queneh it.
"Take her home mother !" be cried
"take her home never fear bet | will
bring you food Mary shan't die I'll
beg-bcg," he added; anything to save
her !"
"Richard Richard DO not leave mer'
shrieked the agOnized parent. "Let me
not loose both of my children I! if you love
your mother, return-for PHYS sake re-
turn !"
The appeal came too late. Her son,
stung, maddened be ound endurance by
the suiferings of those so dear to him, had
broken from her feeble grasp, ,darted down
the thoroughfare, and was already beyond
the reach of her voice.
Rachel cluDg to the ratings of the
churchyard for support, till a second moan
still fainter than the first sent pang
through her maternal breast.
"She must not die in the street !" mur-
INJURED Rachel. "Home --hoae if have
strength to resch it,
"Oh, Cod! !" she cried with a sadden
burst of anguish, "protect my boy :
shield him from crime; guard bm against
vices and tho hideous snares which in a
thousand forms assail unfriended youth;
or take him. she added soleWDly, take
him in Thy mercy"
1t was Christians prayer wrung from
mothers heart, uttered, in faith, in sg
ony, and tears; and angels bore it to the
mercy -se at on high.
Clasping her perishiug child yet closer
to her aching bosom, the druukard's wife
FASTENED to her home.
As Richard Iloffma all rushed along the
strset, scarce knowing wither he went and
only intent on the one idea of getting by
some means, food for bis famished mother
and sister, be was hailed by Jack Map-
ders, an impish acquaintance who lived
near Richards home, and TO whom he
told the desperate state in which he bad
left those SO dear to hin. Jack li>te ened
with much interest, ard at once proposed
to Richard to help him pick the pocket
of an old gentleman, who was staring H.
to a window on the opposite side OF the
street. Richard refused With horror, al
though Jack urged the necessity of at
once getting something to save the life o'
hi, mother and little Mary. Jack then
undertook the business alone, and just a,
be had relieved the old gentleman of hi'
pocket-book, a policeman sprang from
| doorway to arrest him; but Jack mad'
good BIZ, escape. Not so Richard, whc
was at once seized by the policeman al
an accomrliee Of the escaped riekPoeket
| sI am no thief. sir" cried RiehsrC
breaking from the strong grasp that heit
hin, aud throwing hius at the feet
the old gentleman, who had just come t.
the spot, "though poverty and hunge
tempted tosaie become one. My nioth
/ or aud sister are starving"
The future history and trais OF thl
poor boy will be given in the New Yoi
!