The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-03-20
DREAM of the RUM-sELLER's WIFE.


leisurely through the streets. dressed
with care, as | usually am when walking
out for pleasure; and as | intended
making some trilling purchases by the
way, | recollect / had the beautiful
purse which was my Christmas present,
in my hand. Mrs. B was walking
few rods ahead of me. and | was won
dering how she got every new fashion so
soon. and whether she used her cast off
things to pay her help with, or sold them
to the china peddlers, or whether it
could be really true that she gave them
to the poor. Well, just as this foolish
train of thought was passing through
my mind, all at once II woman advanced
towards me, with no bonnet, and n mis-
erable shawl drawn over her head. /
thought she was going to beg. and was
beginning to tell her that had nothing
TO give, when she seized the strings of
my hat, and with resolute hand. and a
look that almost petrified me, took it
off and put it on her own head and
walked away! l looked after her with
astoniShment, but what could | dO-go
i'll at the first doOrl The people were
strangers, and what would they think!
There was no milliners shop AT hand.
and was quite distance from home.
As could do nothing, in my turn drew
my shawl over my head, and tried to
quicken my steps; but my feet seemed
paralyized, and l made little progress.
Just then, / saw a woman in the dis
tanee. coming toward me. Oh, if |
could only walk as she does thought |.
The woman was very meagre, poorly
dressed, and with nothing about her
shoulders, though the air was quite keen.
The moment We met she stopped,
looked lie sternly in the face, and eX-
claimed in a voice as stern as the look,
''Give me my shawl, madame" and
without waiting for reply or resistance,
stripped it from me, and wrapping 1T
about her shoulders, went on. ..
Scarcely had began to cast about i'll
my mind what to do next, when another
of these wretched beings came upon me.
She wore the tattered resIains of an old
cloak about her, but as Sle raised her
arm, l saw that she had 40 dress be
meath it, or rather but the remnant of
one.
For mercy's sake" said !, as she laid
her hand heavily ON my shoulder, what
do you want of me? l have met with
robbers enough already" Robbers.
cried she, in voice that went through ne
like a sword. Robbers, Take back that
lie, base thief Thou art the rObber.
Give he my own" So saying, she tore
from me my dress-that splendid silk one
you have so often admired-and putting
it on, disappeared.
In utter diSnay and confusion, there
/ stood, not knowing which way TO turn,
or what to think But | was not al
lowed much time for reflection. Immedi-
ately felt my hand grasped 10y the cold,
bony fingers of three ragged children,
who We're crying, and clinging to her
clothes. ''Give me my money! said
she, as she wrenched the purse from my
trembling hand. There, it will buy
you some bread, poor things" she add
ed in a softer tone, as she flung it into
the ger..hands of the children, 1T will
buy you some bread" / looked after
her, as she followed the tattered group;
but my tongue was dumb, my feet were
glued TO the earth, and my whole frame
was shivering with cold and terror.
This woman had only gone. when her
place was taken by another, who was
very delicate and pale, her dress, though
much disordered, bearing evident marks
of good taste. Her eyes were red as II
she had been weeping, but they bright
ened up when they saw the watch and
chain, which, strange TO say. were still
upon my person. Yes, thank Cod
exclaimed she, this will save him.-my
own beautiful watch; my father gave NE
Onmy marriage day-the self same one
| know it we'll! Give me my watch"
An rr-ifl OF ar pn sh
seized upon the watch ami hurried away,
repeating wildly to herself, YES, this
will save him-this will take him out of
prison-my own beautiful watch
Next was disrobed of INV elaborately
quilted silk skirt by a squalid IrishwO-
man, who went away muttering a sort
of apology for her rudeness, Poor crii-
ther. it's not that would harm ye, TO
be sure; and may be we've got as much
left upon you now as many poor thing
that deserves more! Wasn't it Patrick's
wages that bought the quiltl And isn't
it ones own he takes, wherever he finds
it,
Then three pallid creatures, from diff
ferent directions, surrounded me, as |
stood like a marble statue, hardly know
ing whether / was dead or alive. One
Immediately Invested me of my jewelry.
saying cOntemptuously, as she turned
away, Il care not for the trash, but ii is
mine. 1t was pawned for rum; now it
shall keep alive my starving ones lit
tie longer The second took my scarf.
gloves, richly embroidered cuffs, under
sleeves and handkerchief. saying with a
bitter smile. How exquisite how
beautiful Yes, | will put them OIL
will adorn myself once more, and see if
my husband will recognize me. | used
TO wear such things once when he loved
me better than rum. What have done,
that l should be clothed in rags, and see