The Tipton advertiser., 1876-06-01

Bright, hazel-eved, hve-year-old
Launcelot was the star OF my night.
He was more like his grandfather
Beech than his own father, of whom
he had no resemblance; black
paper profile found at my fathers
being my only likeness of absent
Oliver.
It was May-sunny, scented May
and Chester race-week. Matty
and were busy as bees from morn
ing until night. Launce went to
school. The second race-day, a party
of ladies and gentlemen came into
the shop, talking and laughing as they
came.
| screamed and tainted. When l
came to myself he was gone. After
nightfall he came again, and abused
me for "making scene and COM
promising him with his friends" But
finding me in comfortable circum-
stances he took up his abode with me
professed to have exhausted all his
means in trying to discover US, and
was lavish Of caresses both to Launcee
and myself.
had never ceased to love him, and
l hailed the prodigal's return. Yet
as of old, he came and ere long began
to drain my resources. He took from
my pocket and from my till the mon
ey with which ! should preserved my
credit and gambled it away. The
climax came when my little Mary was
about four months old.
"My stock got low, had no mon
ey to give him. Half drunk, he
brought the broker on to the premi-
ses, sold to him the stock, fixtures
and furniture, regardless Of my tears
and entreaties; and whilst the goods
were being hurried away, put the
proceeds in his pockets and, carpet
bag in hand, turned on his heel, and
coarsely telling me old David Beech
would make home for me and the
squallers. The children were both
crying. At this moment Launcelot
raised his little fist and struck at his
unnatural father.
Iike a savage he turned upon the
child to strike at him. On the i'm.
pulse Of the moment | interposed and
the blow meant for Launcelot came
down on myself and the baby in my
arms. ] dropped, and little Mary
never cried again.
''They tell me ! was frantic for
months. At all events l was spared
the pain of giving evidence against
my own husband. Matty and the
brokers' men sufficed.
1--WE had fallen against piece of
furniture in the way, and there was a
suggestion that the babe had been
kicked in the fall.
"The charge of murder was aban-
doned but Oliver was found guilty
of manslaughter and condemned to
seven years transportation.
"Mrs. Matthews, good soul! took
charge Of Launcee during my illness,
and with Matty's help Leath nursed
me at my fathers, grumbling all the
while at the trouble, the cost and the
disgrace.
81 tried to shut my eyes to the fu-
ture-to hope we might remain un-
disturbed, and to train my boy to
better things. Meanwhile my father
died. He had secured shop for me
by a small annuity, to be paid quar-
terly.
Eight years passed away. Laun-
celot, my pride and joy, was fifteen
"a frank, good -nstured and high
spirited youth, whose mother was all
in all to him.
"Snddenly the avalanche came
down upon US. A fierce, dark scowl-
ing reprobate came in at our door,
and claimed as my husband right to
share my means. My heart sank
This was not the man had sworn to
love and obey.
81 was powerless to resist, and he
stayed. Goaded by the thought that
whilst he had been in captivity we
had prospered, he tortured me in ev-
cry way he could devise, and Laun-
celot became my champion. Then he
made the boy his butt to wound me
surest.
"At last Launcelot seeing only
shame and disgrace before him, con.
ceiving that he was only cause of
outrage on me, as many q good son
had done before, ran off to sea, and |
was left to cope with Oliver Marbury
alone.
zone night-shall | never forget
it?-a man clambered over the out
housing in at my chamber window
1t was he, haggard, foot-sore, bloody;
he had wounded man, and sought
concealment. He threatened to kill
me if | 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 I sat
white with terror.
81 was told that, in an atfray with
poachers on his preserves Captain
Thornton and keeper had been kill.
ed; and | was questioned until my