The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-28
IN THE DARKNESS.
BY MRS. SALLIE A. RAMAGE.


"It is a shame" one OF the neighbors
said, as Henry Richmond went reeling by
on his way home; "he ought to be ar
rested, and made to understand that men
can not abuse their families, fail to pro-
vide for them, take from them ANYTHING
they may chance to earn, and still be al
lowed freedom. No. il had my way, I'd
give them q month or two at the work
house, and see if that would not learn
them lesson. That fellow five years ago
was one of the best mechanics in this city,
getting splendid wages, holding first class
positions. and living nicely. 1 used to
every sense of the word, Nettie Lord did
when she took Henry Richmond. He
was so devoted to her, and she has made
him good wife, bat poor soul, guess she
never hears a kind word now, and he
| looks as If blows instead of kisses
were what she might expect from her
husband. My wife used to 60 and see her,
and try to cheer her up some, but they
have moved so tar away she never gets
there now. Henry has taken her away
| from everybody that ever knew her, so he
can act as mean as he wants to without
| lear. | spoke 20 him one DAY about his
conduct, but he excused himself by plead
| ing hard times, no work, and that he must
take something to keep him up. / begged
him for the sake OF his wife and child to
stop before it was too late. What pretty
boy he hss-just as old as our baby, and she
is about two years and half. would like
70 hear how Nettie gets along. The father
opposed the marriage because Henry used
to take a social q lass, but before he died he
tried to treat him like a son, but he never
seemed easy about his daughters future"
AS indifferent to the censure
of the world as he was to
its praise, Henry reeled on homewsrd, with
but one thought in his brain, to get some
where and 60 10 sleep. No remembrance
of his wife or boy, no care as to where they
would get food and clothing crossed his
mind-heeding nothing but the gratifica-
ton OF his own intolerable appetite. Bur,
though outwsrdly quiet, he was a demon
when aroused, and his vile dared not say
or do the least thing to awaken his anger,
knowing full we'll that his blows and curses
would fall equally upon her baby and her.
self. Before he had fallen so low his boy
lad been his pride, but of late he seemed
to hate him above everything else, and
would delight to watch the fear and terror
that made the child shun his
presence. For two or three months
out weak anc delicate, and his mothers
anxiety and care were redouhled endesv-
nriDg TO bring him back to strength and
| b saith. The doctor gave her soma simple
remedies, but the food and clothing he
needed she could not supply, and ne daily
grsw thinner, and the veins that netted the
white brow with thin blue threads pulsed
lsst with the fever heated blood. He
would fly to his mother when ever be
caught the sound of his fathers step, and
J would cover his eyes with his slender
/ fingers as il to shut out the blOated face
and poisoned breA Ath. But when he was
quiet and asleep he would 81 cal to the bed
side and look long and steadily at him, as
If waiting to catch pleasant word or
smile. Mrs. Richmond worked whenever
she could obtain employment, though
her husband greedily would clutch every
/ cent he could wiring from her
| by menace or force. To-day she was more
| duwn-hearted than ever before, for she
vas hungry, and weary and yet she had
nei, her lood nCr money. All that she bad
worked so hard for a week TO earn, her
| husband mad taken from her, and for her
oaby's sake she had begged cup of milk
rom a woman nearly as poor as herself,
but she had had not a mOrsel all day.
| She mad sung Willie to sleep, aud the
tears fell fast as she felt how sill 2ht and frsii
he had grown, and how quick and tss
came bis breath. "My darling baby boy,
must mother let you suffer and die with
out word? No, will gain enough cour-
age to p'ead with your father tonight, 1or
your sake, to be better man. Then all
| would be well, and we would be happy.
Kiss mama, and tell her you love her,
You are the only one that
ever kisses me now, Willie, and you are
fading so fast. o, my baby, you
sre all have to make me
want to live, fer Henry does not want me
now. 0 God, save my husband and nv
boy - nd hushiDg her sobs lest they should
-frignten her child, she he'd him closer ss
sne sang the soft gentle strain that sootheo
him I'd rest.
She was sitting there in the twilight, hel
baoy pressed close TO her breast, when her
husband staggered iutO the room, angry
because there was no light, and bidding
her give him something TO eat.
"I nave not q mouthfui for you, Henry
have not eaten anything to-day, myself
Please don't hit me Henry; on! do not
| nave given you every cent; would give
YOU the last muIs9l in the house, ana go
hunIry myself rather than you should
strike me. have Willie in my
arms; plead with you co not
fit me again, you might hur'
went to sleep ne kissed me good night foI
papa. Will you not let me kiss you fol
hin? My husband, dear Henry, stop just
8 moment-let me talk tc you, like L used
20 when you were so proud of our boy and
our home. Indeed, thereis nothing 10 tbe
house to eat; but you can look yourself
o Henry, do not take that. 1t is WIllie's
cup of milk, and IL is all there is for him
tomorrow But do not strike me. Take
ir, bur, o please, 90 not abuse me So" Fol
the nesvy nand was falling in brutal blows
upon the shrinking form, as the mother
tried to shield her child from them. And
this happens not only In this home but in
many a home where druDksrds, iniuri'
a. ed and maddened by liquor, dare to mis-
treat and iDjure those tney should protect
Sometimes the law interposes and pun
shes them, but quite as often they go on
uotil wife or child falls a victim to their
cruelty. He drank some of the milk, and
then fell across the bed to sleep OH In
heavy slumber the beastly intoxica,ion