The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-06

Little Mary was moaning for bread, ami crying with
cold

little Mary moaning for bread, and crying with
The drunken father was at the dram shop.
The agonzed mother had but one more Article Of
value AZ 01 SUH, =, nj ~. lock Of her hsr
memenso Of her once happy home. But goaded BY
little Msrys cries for food she seized the ocke rushcd
pawnproker's, obtained few shllings put by the
the rent and with the rest purchased Nsle
bread and milk for her children, and then set out with
them to visit the old confidential clerk of her father
Peter Mangles, who had been kind to her. 70 con-
suit him about sending Richard away from the contami
mating influences with which he was surrounded.
On returning home late on New Years eve nom her
fruess VISIT for the old clerk not at 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 off again TO The Crown
and Maybe" tavern, 70 waste II in drunkenness Little
suffering mother in hopes Of regainng portion Of he
money taken by her husband, set out with her children
TO the baum. Of vice whittier George Hoffman had gone
Magpie" The landlady-a stout vulgar looking woman,
with red ribbons in her cap, profuson Of false curls
heavy gold chain round her neck and rings
her fat ngerswas busiy engaged in pouring out gin for
her customers the regular she was treating-for
must not he forgotten that It was New Years eve.
Such WAS the scene Of vice and dissipation which met
the eye and sckened the heart Of Rachel when with little
Mary her arms and protected by the presence Of her
son, she ventured into the house.
us Mr. Hoffman here" she inquired, family.
The question had to be repeated several times before
"Cant tell the names of any Of my customera," re-
Piled the mistress Of The Crown and Magpie, snap
'sPerhaps you will oblige me by ascertainingf''
'Too busy marin! Hot water Sanyl Three and eight
You cant in here shouted the landSady, Rachel
was making her way towards the parlor. lMine s
spectacle house; allow no females beyond the bar"
"But am Mr.. Hofman's wife,"
$50 they all say, answered the woman, with sneer
There was a coarse knocking laugh from the crowd Of
half drunken wretchea standing near The OF Richard
flashed angerly but the voice and still more the mpor
ing look Of his mother restrained him.
US return % s,I she said in despars Tone
And leaning the arm of her son, the unhappy wife
tottered rather than walked from the place.
The Keen, frosty air partially restored her strength and
Rachel proceeded with her children till she reached the
thoroughfare leading through St. MargaIets church yard
towards the Almonry, when a faint moan from Mary,
She placed her hand under the thin, faded shawl which
covered her. the child was cold as cc and shvsring, as
''she is dyne!" grosned the terror stricken parent
"dyng for the want OF food p'
The heart Of her boy could endure more-t was
breaking. The cup OF misery and endra had been
flied to overfowing. His brain on ire-te3s could
"Take her home, mother" he cred-sake her homel
never fear but will bring you foodl Mary shant die
III beg-beg, y he added; anything to save he,p'
agonzed parent "Let me not lose both my childrenf
il you love your mother, return-for PHYS sake
The appeal came too late Her son. stung, hardened
beyond endurance by the suerngs Of those dear 70
him. had broken from he feeble grasp, darted down
horoughare and was already beyond the reach Of her
voice.
Rachel chung to the ratings Of the churchyard for sup
port, till second moan, still fainter than the frst sent
pang through her maternal breast
she not die in the street' murmured Rachel,
sHome-homel If have strength 10 reach it,"
son, Godl" she CRIED With sudden burst of anguish,
"protect my boyl Shield him from crime; guard him
against vices and the hdeous which in thousand
forms assa unrended youth, take him" she added
soleuniy, stake him In Thy mercy"
II was Christians prayer wrung from mothers
heart, uttered in ith agony and tears and angels
bore 70 the mercy seat on high.
Ciasping her pershng cbd yet closer to her aching
bosom the drunkards wife fastened TO her home.
As Richard Hoffman rushd along the street, scarce
knowing whittier he went and only intent the ono
idea OF getting by some means, food for his famished
mother and sister, he was hailed by Jack Manders
mpsh acquaintance who lived Richards home and
TO whom he told the desperate state in which he had
left those so dear 70 him. Jack listened with much
rest and at once proposed 10 Richard help him pick
the pocket OF an old gentleman who staring into q
window the opposite side Of the street Richard
fused with horror, although Jack urged the necessity Of
at once getting something TO the life Of his mother
and little Mary Jack then undertook the alone.
and just as he had relieved the old gentleman OF hs
pocketbook policeman sprang from doorway arrest
him; but Jack made good his escape. Not so Richard
who was at once seized by the policeman as an soco.
phce Of the escaped pckpocket.
81 am no thief sir !" cried Richard breaking from tina
strong grasp that held him. and throwing himself ct th
feet OF the old gentleman, Who had just come 70 the
spot, though poverty and hunger tempted " become
one. Ny mother and sister are starving
The future history and trials Of this poor boy will be
given in the New York Ledger of January le, which Il
for sale at all the bookstores and news ofhces