Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-01-03

"HOw long has he been 50 :" asked the
teamstcr.
"IiOw dye mean? ?"
"Wby, how long both vaysT How long
he took to drink, an how long he's been drunk
now ?"
"WelI he's took drunk more or less ever
since he caule from college; but it's about a
year that he's.beeu down hard at it. Ye see
folks began to find out how slack he was in his
business, aud they WOuldU't give him any job
of consequence TO do. l 'spose that sort O.
set him sgoin' in this fashion. Aud as for
this drunk, should say he had been on it a
fortnight. He's got down now as low as he
can got aud live, aud guess he'll get sober
in day or two"
''But where does be get his liquor ?" asked
the questiOner.
"YOu must ask Nike Finsal that question:"
was the others answer.
Alleges were turned upoG the landlord who
now stood behind the bar. He was evidently
troubled a; this turn, and moved uneasily upon
his high stool.
mike Fingal," spoke the teamstor, edo
you sell that man rum !?
''YeS, do" the fellow replied, with an Of.
fort, ',Dout l sellyou the same when you call
for it 2"
.'But aru't poor drunEard, and you
know it. That arn't no excuse, Mike, /
shouldn't think you'd do it."
''But when lie wants run he's bound to
have it. aud if didu't let him have it some.
body else would" the hos, replied.
''Now, that's odd,"' theoretically pursued
the toamsteF. 'Ou the same ground yOu
might nike a pistol aud 20 out and rob folks.
because If you didn't somebody else would-
But that isu't here or there. The thing is, |
npFa'f yrh nd Of l.
to do It,"
The conversation was here interrupted by
sound from the street. The wind was still
hOwling madly, aud the snow was driving
against the window, but above the voice of the
storm came the wailiug OF some ous in dis
tresS. II was surely the cry of child for
help We were all upon our feet in a mo.
meut and the lantern was quickly lighted
My hat was already on my head-or my cap
rather-aud | went out with the rest. All
went but the landlord aud his Nretched GUS
toner who occupied the settee. 1t was some
moments before | could sec at all. the snow
came driving into my face SO but I soon
managed TO turn my head, and then went on.
The wind, as it came sweeping out through
the stable, had piled up huge bank of snow
Scross the street, aud iu this bank We found
f.mllc with child in her arms. She
her child. The mau who carried the lantern
held it up to her face. The features were
half covered with snow, but the momentary
glare of the lantern was sufficient TO reveal TO
me fact o! more than ordBsry beauty
"Iieaveusw 20 uttered the man, as he lowered
the lantern. aud caught the woman in his arms.
"Kste I.ockland. is this you?" But without
waiting for a reply. he tnrncd to the rest of
Us aud cried, "here, take the child some of
You. and I'll carry the mother"
The child was quickly taken, and ere many
minutes We were back in the bar room with
our burden. The two were taken TO the FIRE
aud the snow brushed from them.
who's them ?" asked the host
Only Kate LOckland aud her child"
answered the fat man.
"What dye bring 'em in here for ?" the
host uttered angrily. "Why didm't ye take
'em TO your own house. Jim Drake ?"
Cause my own house is too far"
The host was coming arouDd the bar and
his eye was flashing with mingled shame aud
anger, but before he got fairly ont, the stout.
buTly teamster who had said so m ch started up.
Mike FinGal," he uttered. in tones such
as only = mau confident of his own physical
power can command. "Don't ye tAlt a finger
on that woman. Don't We do it, live do.
III crush yc as I would pizen spider!"
Fingal looked at the speaker in the eve for
a moment, and then muttering something about
a man having n right to do a. he pleased in
his own house, he sluuk away behind his bar
again
now turned my attention to the woman
and her child The former was surely no. vet
thirty years Of age, and she was truly beau,
,iful woman-only she was pale and wan, and
her eyes were swollen. She trembIed fearful
ly. and l could see her bosom heave as she
tried to choke the sobs that were bursting
forth. The child was a girl about four wears
old She clung close to her mother, and
seemed frightened into forgetfulness of her
cold fingers and feet.
"kate Lockland, what in Heavens name
are &c doin' ont this night?" asked Jim Drake.
'Oh was trying to find your own house,
Jim Drake, for l knew you'd give me shelter.
But got los; in the snow. wouldn't have
cried ou: in from; Of this place. but my poor
child did. Jim Drake, have ye seen George
Oh, Goa, have mercy on him Poor dear
George! lie don't know We are freezing.
starving in our own house No fuel-nO-
food-no-no."
She stopped and bust into tears. and in a
moment more George Lockland Ieaped to his
feet.
"Who called ne ?" he cried, gazing wildly
around
Kate sprarg M ins'inc'ively, but ere she
reached her husband she stopped. The man
saw her. and for a while stood rivited 20 the
spot. Soon he Ga-ed around upon the scene
about him, and gradually look Of intelligence
relieved the utter blank of his hitherto pale
and maniac face.
''No fuel! no food - he whispered, gazing
upon his wife. Starving, God have mercy
Who was it said those words Where am I?'
George! George" cried the wife. now
rushing forward and fingiug her arms about
her husbands neck. Don't you know me :"
kate no fire '-there's fire ~