Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1872-11-09

approached me, ana OeLeTWiueQ 10 DeS
but the words choked me, and they
passed on without noticing my distress.
When they passed, | was ashamed of
having thought of begging, and yet
angry within myself that had not done
so.
l was standing at the corner Of a
street, thinking what | should do-for
| could not go home to Milly, my poor
hungry, sick wife, empty handed-when
| received a hearty slap on the should
er and turning round round saw Gid,
den, the music publisher.
"Well, Burdon," he cried, you
don't seem happy. You look as pleas
ant as if you had lost a sovereign and
found farthing."
Happyw | exclaimed, -" happy
with wife dying of consumption-and
starvation
Dear me that's very sad Why
don't you work z"
"Work! l have sought it far aud
near | have done everything, but with
out success"
"The music trade is bad, and no mis-
take bnt still think something might
be done. Your songs have succeeded
pretty we'll. Now what time would ii
take you to write me four songs?"
"That all depends upon what kind
you want" I replied.
"They must be bacchanalian-full of
life-you understand Z"
"Yes."
And I must have them the first
thing in the morning"
''That is short time"
sit is, but ready money, you know" "
he replel.
"On these terms; I agree"
Very we'll, then Now about the
price. You know the music trade is
very bad at present | can't give you
much-so We will say three guineas for
the lot"
"Whatw I exclaimed ,''three guineas
for four songs? Why you gave me
more for one 2"
fittings were different then. Three
guineas for four songs, and one guina
in advance. l can't give you penny
more"
AS he spoke he drew a sovereign
from his pocket, and held it invitingly
between his finger aud thumb. The
sight Of the money was too tempting !;
so without further demur, | ageeed to
write the songs.
"Mind | have them early tomorrow
morning." he said. "If you do not
bring to me by ten / shall send for
them"
hurried away to purchase some food
for my wife, and also to procure her
some medicine. [ dought roll and
ate it, so that | could tell her | had
dined out; for | needed a II the money for
her. Amongst the things bought was
some brandy, the doctor having ordered
Milly to drink it. Laden with these
poor things, which to me looked heaps
oil riches hurried home ard.
Poor Milly, when | reached her
bedside and showed her what I had
brought, met me with smil of patient
love that nearly broke my heart She
tasted little food and drank a small
glass of weak brandy and water, then
fell into light sleep. Illness at the
best of times terrible; but when We
sit alone, and see all we love fading fast
the disease aided by want;to see the thin
pale face, so like death in life; to know
that before long even the sad pleasure
of tending it will be lost, and that be-
fore we can give it proper comfort-this,
indeed is awful.
AS | sat watching and thinking [
became desperate my brain seemed
on fire, and my mouth parched. Seiz>
ing the brandy bottle, / poured out a
large glass of spirits, and drank it off.
1t steaded my nerves, and | sat down
to commence my songs.
For some time [ could gain no though
The dull silence of the night, broken
only by the heavy breathing of my
wife, and low rnrring sound that rat
tied at her chest, palled upon me, the
dull, glimmering light of candle, thai
threw a melan choly light over ou,
wretched room; the thin, wedge like
face, half in shade, that rcposed on the
pillow the ghost like hand that lay SO
still, stretched out on the coverlet-al
all seemed to crush me. How, with
such things around me, could | write
of mirth, drink, and joIlity.
I pressed my fingers over my eyes
and the hot tears forced themselves
through my fingers. grew historical
I felt as If / could have screamed will
laughter. ! could not write; but tn
songs must be done, or | should not &c
the money. 10 hopes of gaining mor'
calmness, | drank more brandy. Glas
after glass of the burning fluid pouro'
down my throat, | felt mad not tipsy
but deliirous, | could hear the rattle 0
glass c, ;the merry shouts OF laughter
strange tunes, such = "" } have