The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-02-18
AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE

Idleness, vice and intemperance had
done their miserable work, and the dead
mother lay cold and stark amid her wretch
ed children She had fallen upon the
threshold of her own. door in a drunken
fit, and died in the presence of her frigh-
tened little ones.
Death touches the spring of our common
humanity. This woman had been despised,
scotfed at, and angrily denounced by near
ly every man, woman and child in the vii
slase; butn as the fact of her death was
passed from lip to lip, in subdued tones,
pity took the place of anger, and sorrow
of denunciation Neighbors went hastily
to the old tumble-down hut, in which she
had secured little more than place of shell
ter from summer heats and winter colds,
some with grave clothes for decent inter
ment of the body, and some with food for
the half-starving children, three in num-
ber. One Of these, John, the eldest, boy
of twelve, was stout lad, and able to earn
his living with any farmer. Kate, between
ten and eleven, was bright, active girl,
out of whom something clever might be
made, if in good hands; but poor little
Maggy, the youngest, was hopelessly littly
diseased. Two years before, q fall from
the window had injured her spine, and she
had not been able to leave her bed since
Except when lifted in the arms of her moth
!! er.
"What was to be done with the children?'
That was the question now. The deae
mother would go under ground, and b
forever from all care or concern of the vii
layers. But the children must not be lef
to starye. After considering the matter
and talking it over his wife, Farmer Jones
said that he would take John and do vel
by him, now that his mother was out o
! 1.-THE way; and Mrs. Ellis, who had bee,
looking out for a bound girl concluded
, that it would be charitable in her to max,
choice1of Katy, even though she was to-
: young to be of'much use for several years
zzsI could do much better, know, sal,
Mrs. Ellis, shut as no one seems inclinet
9 to take her, / must act from sense Of duty
I expect to have trouble with tho child
for she's an undisciplined thing-used +
having her own way"
Z But no one said, "I'n take Maggie.
Plying glances were east on her wan an
wasted form, and thoughts were trouble
Ou ucF dCCouHSs NVotuCfo DKOuS he cdce-o
garments, and removing her soiled an
ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire
= The sad eyes and patient face of the littl
one touched many hearts, and even knock
ed at them for entrance. But none woul
open to take her in. Who wanted . bed
hidden child? s 4s 5,siss sisss s.. al 3
) ..Take her to the poorshouse," said
rough man of whom the question sW hat
to be done with Maggie?" was asket
"A sNo-body's going to be bothered wit
= her. -
1.-THE poor house is sad place for
5 [sick, helpless child" answered one.
.For your child or mine, said Il
!. other, lightly speaking; but for this br,
it will prove a blessed change. She wi
be kept clean, have healthy food, and
2 doctored, which is more than can be sal
!, of her past condition" saaI ats
There was reason in that, but still
didn't satisfy. The day following the da
4 Of death was mad the day Of burial.
8 few neighbors were at the miserable hove
Ebut none followed the dead cart as its bo
al the unhonored remains to its paupcr grav
Farmer Jones, after the coffin was take
out, placed John in his wagon and dro-
5 laway, satisfied that he had dene his pal
Mrs. Ellis spoke to Kate with hurri,
TO air Bid your sister good bye, and DIRE
!, the fearful children apart ere scarce
- their lips had touched in sobbing far
well. Hastily others went out, some gla