Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-11-11
MisfIlanrom.
From the New York Mercury.
THE TWO MIDNIGHTS.
BY N. 7. s.

Midnight the. hour when the ghosts
and goblins walk ab:oad-midnight!-
when the weary thief prowis around, and
the assassin commits his deed of crime,
and; adds another sin to the manifold
which has been accomplished midnight! !!
when the watcher turns wearly to the lime-
piece on the mantle-shelf, then turns to
administer something soothing to his pa
tient, and by SO doing forgets how wearl=
" time iags. The clock strikes and tells
the hour of midnight The, gambler
pauses, and raising his blood-sbot eyes, lis
tens till it is through, and then resumes his
game, forgetful Of one who is waiting his
return with breaking heart. Midnight.
when the. half famlshed child, tossing on
his bed Of rags and straw, cries for bread,
and the mother, with bursting heart, tries
to sooth that little one; but what can she
dos She canHot promise him bread for
the. morrow, for she knows not where to
get it. The last cent has gone for rum
to satisfy the cravings of a drunken hus-
bands, appetite. mai ii aau4 II
Midnight! the fire is Pickering low, and
tbe lamps she'd but a, faint light on the
beautiful things which lie in sad confusion
around. In a chair, half buried in the
cushions, sits lovely being, seemingly toe
fair for earth. But why is she sitting
there at this time Of night. We see nc
patient demanding her care. No! she is
waiting the return of one who, few shor'
months ago, told her she should neyel
know want, and who promised to cherish
her-who took her from her happy homst
to wait his return from the fashionable
club, or from an interesting tete-a-tete witt
some friend, who demands his attention
and has more right to it thar that, lar
lone bride. The clock has struck the hou
of midnight! The beggar, without home
or shelter from the pitilvss storm, cronche'
into the shelter of neighboring doorway
there to stay until the storm has spent ou
its fury. Within those mansions of wealth
all is quiet, and darkness reigns supreme
: save here and there, where a faint llgh
shows tina: there is some one demanding
the care of parents and friends. ~
Within one of those mansions Of wealth
friends are gathered around the death-be'
Of, one dear to them ALL The weeping
sad and low, tell how she was beloved
Allhold their breath, for they think tha
that struggle is the last, when suddenl
above the howl of the storm, rings out up
on the midnight, distinct and clear: 81
ois.A child tost!" 9-sos 81 r..
niThen they turn, one to another, wit
pale cheek and quivering lip for the mo
nent forgetful of the dying. The begra
starts from his place of shelter to aid.
possible, the wretched parents in the
search. In hot pursuit comes the gamble
who thinks, for the first time that night ,
his child. The drunkard is sobered in
moment, and hurries home to see if h
child is safe. The thief pauses in his worl
and the assassin's cheek Is blanched, +
he thinks of the children at home, ignc
ant Of their fathers crimes. The moth
clasps her child closer to her bosom, whl
the tears roll down her pale cheek; for s.
thinks of the little one out in tine pitile
storm, and murmurs "God help i'll" Sin
noon the child had been. gone, and t
mother waited patiently its return, un
darkness set ip, and then that mothe
fears were realized; for she knew that
child Of seven years would loiter by t
Wy when they saw storm coming
~