Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-09-10

him to himself. As soon rs she could,
she gained his side and called him by
name
Edward! Edwardr
He turned and stood unsteadily looking
at her. in bcwildcred way.
You! he said. You ought to be at
home this time of night
so ought we both,' said Ruth. Come
dear
| He threw her hand off.
I'm my own MASTER he said; I'm not
tied to any woman's apron string and
staggered away again, Ruth following.
through the long street, with every face
turned toward them as they passed
some laughing, some econtemptuous, some
terrified, until at last the besot'ed man
sat down upon the wharves. more stupi-
fed by the rum he had swallowed, in that
fresh, cold air. Ruth was thinly clad
the chill of the sea breeze seemed to reach
her very heart. She thought OF the babe
at home, and tears coursed down her
cheeks. Again and again she pleaded
with the mad man at her side. Again
and again she tried to bring to his mind
some lingering memory of the past days
when his love and protection had been
hers. In vain; wild fancies filled his
brain demons, born Of the fumes ofrum,
held possession ofhis senses. Sometimes
he thrust her from him, sometimes he
gave her maudlin embrace. and bade
her bring more liquor. but go home he
would not. The distant hum Of the city
died out at last all was still with the
strange stiffness of city. The frosty
stars twinklcd overhead. Now and then
a night boat passed up the river. with
measured beat and throb. Once aruffan-
" looking fellow passed them on the pier;
but though he flung her nm insolent word
and yet more insolent laugh, and went
away singing yet more insolcntly, he did
not approach them. So benumbed had
Ruth grown, SO cold to the very heart
was she, that the power of motion had al
most deserted her, when at last rs the
church clock not far away tolled the hour
of four, the degraded man staggered to
his feet and reeled homeward. She fol
lowed icebly only by clinging to the bal
ustrade could she mount the wrctched
stairs. II was bitter cold within as with
out but she was glad to find herself at
last under shelter. Her baby slumbered
and she did not waken it. Her frozen
bosom could only have chilled the little
creature. There were few bits OF bro
ken wood In corner, and with these she
made fire in the old stove. and crouch
ed over it, striving 10 gain some little
warmth. while her husband slumbercd
heavily upon the bed in the corner to
which he had staggered on his entrance.
Thus an hour passed by, and Ruth also
I
warmth at her feet, the fancy that all her
trouble was over for the night. lulled her
TO pleasant dreams. From them she was
awakened by the loud ringing OF the fac
tory bell, and by The sound of cries and
shouts in the streets below. She cast her
eve toward the bcd-her husband was not
there toward the cradlc-it was empty.
She flew TO the window-the street below
was full Of factory boys, with their tin
kettles. Some great jest amused them
nightly. They roared, they danced,
they shrieked in unmusical laughter, and
the object of this mad niirth was only too
evident.
On the steps Of the liquor store opposite
stood Edward Holley, his child in his
arms, and exhibiting for the benefit ofthe
delighted crowd all those antics of which
an intoxicated man alone is capable! lie
called on the grinning master of he gin.
cellar TO "givc his child some brandy
and turned the screaming infant about in
manner that left no doubt that it would
end by dropping itupon the broken pave
ment.
Wild with terror, Ruth rushed out into
into the street, and made her way through
the crowd to the spot where her husband
stood but beforc she reached him, the
scene had changed
Some boy, more brutal than the rest.
had thrown handful of mud in Edward
Holley's face, and he, reeling and bias
pheming, had dashed forward to revenge
the act.
The child had been flung away at the
first step, but. fortunately. had been
caught by an old negress. who, though
degraded creature herself. had enough of
the woman remaining to save an infant
from injury.
And now the whole horde of boys beset
the drunken man, pelting him with sticks
and stones, and dccayed vegetables from
the kennel, and reveling in brutal delight
with which such a scene always seems
to inspire boys of the lower classes.
Ruth saw that her babe was safe and
that her husband WAS in danger. and for
oetful of all else, flew toward him. She
cared nothing for the jeers of the mob;
before them all. she flung her arms
about him, and interposed her beautiful
person between him and his assailants.
The head that had carried itself little
proudly in the presence Of the highest in