Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-05-03

away. The climax came when my lit
tie Mary was four months old.
My stock got low; had no money
to give him. Half drunk, he brought,
a broker on the premises, sold to him
stock, fixtures and furniture, regardless
Of my tears and entreaties; and, whilst
the goods We're being hurried away, put
the proceeds in his pocket, and carpet
bag in hand, turned on his heel, coarse
ly telling me old David Beech would
make home for me and the squallers.
The children were both crying. At this
Launcelot raised his little fist and
struck at his unnatural father.
Like savage he turned upon the
child, to strike at him. On the impulse
of the momont | interposed, and the
blow meant for Louncelot came down
on myself and the baby in my arms.
l dropped, and little Mary never cried
again.
They tell me was frantic for
months At all events, I was spared
the pain of giving evidence against my
own husband. Elatty and the brokers'
men sufficed.
Wehad fallen against piece of furni-
ture in the way, and there was sug-
gestion that the babe had been killed
in the fall. The charge of murder had
been abandoned, but Oliver was found
guilty of manslaughter, and condemned
to seven years transportation.
tried to shut my eyes on the future
to hope we might remain undis-
turbed, and to train my boy to better
things. Meanwhile my father died.
He had secured a shop for me, and left
me small annuity, to be paid quar-
terly.
Eight years passed away. Launce-
lot, my pride and joy, was ffteen-a
frank, good natured and high-spirited
youth, whose mother was all in all to
him.
Suddenly the avalanche came down
upon us. A fierce, dark, scowling
reprobate came in at our door, and
claimed as my husband a right to
share my means. My heart sunk.
This was not the man whom / had
sworn to love and obey.
I was powerless to resist, and he
stayed. Goaded by the thought that
whilst he was in captivity we had
prospered, he tortured me in every
way he could devise, and Launcelot be-
came my champion. Then he made
the boy his butt to wound me surest.
AT last Launcelot, seeing only dis
grace and shame before him, conceiv-
ing that he was only cause of out
rage on me, as many a good son has
done before, ran off to sea, and was
left to cope with Oliver Marbury alone
One night-shall | ever forget ia
man clambered over the outhousing in
at my chamber window. It was he,
haggard, foot-sore, bloody. He had
wounded man and sought conceal
spoke word. What money [ had he
took, ate greedily some bread and
cheese, changed his clothes, and then
fled as he came.
Men were on the watch, and he was
taken. His blood-stained clothes were
found in my room, where [ sat white
with terror.
was told that in an affray with
poachers on his premises, Captain
Thornton and a keeper had been killed,
and | was questioned until my brain
| began to reel.
T thought should be called upon to
give evidence against him. [ had
loved him once. He was the father of
my children. To avoid such a contin-
gency fled, whittier [ neither knew or
cared.
| had no money-nevcr thought of
it. [ went along lanes, through fields,
avoiding the highroads, excitement
keeping me up though | had no food
The first night took shelter in barn,
stealing off like culprit at daybieak.
L must have looked hungry, for lad
swinging on a gate, with great bunch
of bread In his hand, broke it in two
and offered half to me.
| That night | dropped on stoneby
the wayside and fell asleep. | was
reused by some one calling to me. A
gentleman in gig offered me a seat if
| was going his way. The moon shone
full on his face and in my surprise |
CALCULATED: Mr.. Smithson My
father had dealt with him for years.
Ny troubles were yet unknown to him.
| told him all He took me home to
Redditch, to his wife, and there [ re-
manned.
/ My husbands sentence was now for
life. There was no fear of his breaking
In upon me, they said; but all thought
and memory did that.
Mr. Smithson would have me change
my name, but dared not destroy the
only clue by which Launce might seek
MS mother. From time to time /
heard of him through Mrs. Matthews.
Once | went to meet him in Liverpool
only once. | expected him home
from California last Christmas.
When | went home from the shop,
Mrs. Chappell, last November, [ bought
newspaper to read over my tea. [
read that the Rosicrucian had founder
ed off Cape Verde, and all hands gone
down with her. 1t was my sons Ship.
Mrs. Chsppell, my last hope went
down in the Rosicrucian. It matters
nothing now who knows my story, or
who does not"
The Japanese Army.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.