Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-01-21
Richard Hoffman.
A TALE OF LOVE AND RETRiBuTIos

Rachel Bently, the lovely daughter of one Of
the richest merchants OF London, having MARI.
ed George Hoffman. one of her fathers clerks
during the old mans absence in India, he or bis
| return disinherited her and discharged George.
The latter being overwhelmed by disappont-
ment, took to drink. and in few years became
a habtual drunkar6; his wife supporting herself
and two chdren-R Richard. now fine boy in
his thirteenth year. and Mary, sweet child of
six-by selling, one after another, the re nlnants
OF her once costly wardrobe and jewery.
| 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 moaning for bread, and cry
ing with cold.
The drunken father was at the dram shop.
| The agonized mother had but one more article
of value left-a locket containing lock of her
father HAIR. She had hoped to be able to save
this, the last momento Of her once happy hofae
But goaded by little Mays cries for food she
seized the locket, rushed to pawnbroker's OBJ
tanned n few shiings, pnt by the amount of the
rent, with the rest purchased little bread and
milk for her children and then set out, with them
tn visit the DIN confidential clerk of her father,
] Peter Mangles, who had ever been kind to her,
to consult him about sending Richard away from
the communicating influence with which he was
surrounded
On returning home late on New Years eve from
her fruitless visit, for the old clerk was not at
home, Rachel discovered that her husband had
been home and stolen the sum she had put by
for the rent from the place where she had con-
cealed it. and gone off again to THE Grown and
Maggie tavern to waste it i'll drunkenness. Lit
tie Mary. chilled and hungry, began to cry for
food, and the suffering mother, in hopes of re-
gaining portion of the money taken by her hus-
band, set out with her children to the haunt OF
vice whittier George Hoffman had gone
| There was great crawd at the bar of The
Crown and Maggie. The andlady-a stout, vul-
| gar. looking woman, with red ribbons in hen cap,
a profnsion of false chris, q heavy gold chain
round her neck, and numerous rings on her fat
| fingers-was busily engaged in pouring out gin
for her customers: the regular she was treat
ing-fori it must not be forgotten that 1t was New
Years eve.
! Such was the scene of vice and dissipation
which met the eye and sickened the heart OF
Rachel when, with little Mary in her arms, and
projected by the presence of he- son, she ven.
tored into the house.
is Mr. Hoffman here = ste inquired family
The question was repeated several times be-
fore she could get an answer.
Cant tell the names of any of my customers
replied the mistress of The Crown and Maggie,
snappishly.
Perhaps you will oblige me by ascertaining.
Too busy, ma am! Hot water Sally! Three
and eight-pence, sir. Half and half directly
'lou can't go in there . shouted the lapdlady
as Rachel was making her way towards the par
,or. Mine is a respectable house; allow no fe
males beyond the bar
But | am Mr.. Hoifman's wife,
so they all SAY answered the woman, with
a sheer.
There was coarse, hooking laugh from the
crowd of half drunken wrciches standing near.
The eyes of Richard flashed anerily; but the
voice and still more, the impicrimg look of hi:
Imother restrained him.
Let us return home abe said in n despairipc
tone. i feel faint and sick at heart
And leaning on the arm OF her son, the un.
happy wife tottered rather than walked f.om tht
place.
The keen frosty air partially restored her
strength and Rachel proceeded with her childrer
till she reached the thoroughfare leading through
St. Margaret's churchyard towards the Almonry
when a faint moan from Mary, whom she still
carried in her arms, arrested her steps. Sh,
placed her hand under the thin faded shaw
which covered her; the lid was cold as ice anC
,, shivering, as if seized with an ague fit,
, Sac is dyiug! groaued the terror stricken
parent-'dying for the want OF food .
The heart of her boy could indure no more
1t was breaking. The cup OF misery and endur
ance had been Glled 10 overlooking HIS brazil
was on fire-;ears could not queuch it.
Take her home mother = lie cred--take he
home never fear but will bring you food =
Mary shan't die III beg-beg. he added any
thing 10 save her
Richard. Richard, DO not leave met shrieke,
, his agonized parent Let me not lose both IN,
children If you love your mother, return-fo
, PHYS sake return
The appeal came too late Her son. stune
maddened beyond endurance by the sufferings
of those so;dear 10 him, had broken fom her feebl
grasp, dsrEed Down the thoroughfare, and wa
already beyond the reach of her voice.
Rachel chung to the railing of the church var
for support, till second moan, still fainter tina
i the first, sent a paDg through her materns
! breast.
SHE must not die in the street, murmure
Rachel. Home home = if have strength
: reach it,
oh. God = she cried with a sudden burst of al
!, gush, protect my DO, Shield him from crime
guard him against vices and the hideous suarp
which in a Thousand forns assaii unfriende
voa'h; or take him she added solemnly al
him in Thy mercy
ltwas christians prayer wiring from r3o.t
Ier's heart. uttered in fas:h in agony, sas tear:
land angels bore IL 10 the m .rcys seat or ssr
CIasping her perishing child We. close 10 IL
aching bosom. the drankaTd wife FASTENED
her home.
As Richard Hoffman rushed along lie sire
scarce knowing whittier he went and only il
tent ON the one idea OF getting. by SOME mean
food for his famished mother and sister he W;
u hailed by Jack Manders. an impi-h aequaiftan,
who lived near Richards home. and to whom