The Van Buren press., 1876-04-18
VAN BUREN,, ARK, APRIL IS, 1876. :

| Charlie. who curled up in q warm nest.
fast asleep, with one little fat thumb in
his mouth.
IL wonder what makes Charlie SO
late ?" she said, at last, impatientIy.
"Aunt Lizzie, will you please seLd for
him, and say I'm waiting 7"
He came at length. But the hrst word
he spoke told her all She knew at once
he was intoxicated, though to others only
a very slight excitement was all that ap-
pearcd unusual about him. IN
Oh the shame She hardly dared speak
to him. All her thought was to get him
away before he betrayed his condition to
other eyes. sz5sr@ .s5=.+..-. b
"Give me the child" he said.
And as she did so, she felt that his arm
was unsteady. 81
"Oh! dare not trust the baby to
him." was her thought, but she was 81
lent.
She could not bear that those around
should know the mortifying truth.
~ do wish you Houlyi atay ali night
Virgie," spoke Aunt Liszie. renewing her
ehtreaties. "It is so late and it is grow
ing colder" rs4 Lz5 :.
Virgie thought of the dreary i've miles
ride with drunken husband--and then
the river! She had refused to stay, but
now she thought better Of it.
What do you think Of 1t Charles !?
Hadn't We better stay ?" she asked, per-
suasively. lss.=#5zs
But liquor had made him sullen.
"No, we must GO home," he said sur
lily. ~
She knew it would avail nothing to ar.
que the matter with him. but only be lead
ing him to a painful exposure, so she
commenced paying her adieux.
BY dint Of gentle coaxing she induced
him to give the babe to her before they
started.
As they rode away Uncle Logan shout
ed out to them:
"Look out for the river!"
Virgic's heart was too heavy for reply
but Charles shouted back with maudlin
cheerfulness ~ .=@..
"All rightr
As they rode on she saw thai ile was
sinking into drunken stupor. Oh, if
they we're only safe at home how glad she
would be. And then she thought of the
river yet to be forded, and every breath
was a prayer. She determined not to let
him have the child when they were cross
ing. but to trust to her own arm and
courage to carry herself and the babe
through. She hoped be would not think
to ask her for the child, and was nerving
herself 70, a refusal in case he should,
when they came in sight Of the water.
The moon shone down. making it al
most as bright as day. Virgie thanked
heaven for that! But she shuddered as
the sweep of the water fell on her car
and she saw it foaming in the moonlight.
tbaiIess bIss' rcssed &, la liaMiasaeRqe iaiaaRe
Where's the boy ?" he asked. f.
"Neyer mind, dear He's asleep, and
l don't like to disturb him. l can carry
him over. I'm strong enough for it."
whats the woman thinking Of? You
carry him over, indeed Give him to me"
but, Charles, you are not in condi
ton to hold him. l shall be thankful II
you can guide your horse over safely as
you are" s.s..4+ss
"Ha! What do you mean by that p
She made him no answer
"Do you take u for q fool p he said
roughly and angrily. -.
"Now. Charles, don't do SO! You
know your arm is very unsteady just now.
1t is, indeed" /" 4.s
"Ah, understand younow. So, mad.
am, suppose you think I'm drunk p
Again she was silent.
"Give me the child! !! he said fiercely,
40, Charles For Gods sake"
"Give him to me, say Do you think
to brave me SO Give him to me this
minute"
Resistance, she knew. was useless. 1t
would only serve to infuriate him, and
what will not drunken man do tH
Uncovcring the little sleeping face, she
kissed it oncc-then drawing the thick
shawl which snveloped the little figure,
she covered the face again, and gave him
into her husbands arms. i, .-,..
/" Charles, for the love Of heaven be
careful" @.
Don't be fool"
So they plunged in, and she did not
take her eyes from the other two until
they had nearly reached the opposite
bank. Then her horse stepped on stone,
and, slipping, nearly precipitated her in
to the water When her attention was
again free they had reached the oppa site
bank. faa@s pa
"There be is p said Charlie, triumph
antly, as he placed the bundle in her arms.
"What simpleton you are to think
couldn't bring him over safely"
How very light it was Good heavsn
She moved it about in her arms, pressed
it closer, and then uttered an awful shrek.
my child! My little child My Char
lie! o, my cbild!' t .G
Both turned simultaneously back to
the water. The quick eye Of the mother
was Just in time to catch one last brief
glimpse of "a little, rosy, ptiful, upturned
face--and then it disappeared down the
current, and the rapid water flowed on
In his drunken Inconsistencies Charles
had let the sleeping infant drop out OF
the shawls, and nothing could be heard
above the noise of the waters. He did
not know it till the mother screamed.
There was no help! Oh it was pitiful,
heartbreaking Poor, young mother! -