Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-29

Launcelot raised his little fist, and struck
at his unnatural father.
Like a savage he turned upon the child,
to strike at him. On the impulse OF the
moment interposed, and the blow meant
for Launcelot came down on myself and
the baby in my arms. / dropped and lii
tie Mary never cried again.
They tell me | was frantic Tor months.
At all events, was spared the pain OF
giving evidence against my own husband
Matty and the brokers' men sufiiced.
We had fallen against piece OF Iurni-
ture in the way, and there was sugges-
tion that the babe had been killed III the
fall. The charge of murder was aban-
doned. put Oliver was found guilty OF
manslaughter. and condemned to seven
wears transportation. Mrs. Mathews,
good soul! took charge OF Launce during
nv Illness, and with Matty's lheip Leah
nursed me at my fathers, grumbing all
the while at the trouble, the cost, and the
disgrace.
tried to shut my eyes ON the future
to hope we might remain undisturbed,
and to train my boy to better things.
Meanwhile my father died. He had Sc
cured a shop for me, and left me a small
annuity, to be paid quarterly.
Eight years passed away. LauDcelot,
nv pride and joy, was tifteen-a frank,
good-na,ured, and high-spirted youth,
whose mother was all in ali to him.
Suddenly the avalanche came down up
on us. A fierce, dark, scowling rebrobate
came in at the door, and claimed as my
husband right lie share my means. My
heart sank. This was not the man
had sworn to love and obey
Twas powerIess to resist, and he stayed.
Goaded by the thought that whilst he had
been in captivity we had prospered, he
tortured me in every way he could devise,
and Launcelot became my champion.
Then he made the boy lis butt to wound
me sorest.
At last Laupcelot, seeing only shame
and disgrace before him, conceving that
he was only cause of outrage on me, as
many a good son has done before, run of
to sea, and was left to cope with Oliver
Marbury alone.
One night-shall / ever forget it pa
man clamoered over the out-housing in at
my chamber window. 1t was he. bag
gard, footsore, bloody; he had wounded IA
man. and sought concealment. He threat
ened to kill me if / spoke word. What
money had he took. ate greedily some
bread and cheese, changed his clothes, and
then fed as he came.
Men were on the watch, and he was
taken. His blood-stained clothes We're
found in my room, where | sat white with
terror.
was told that in an affray with poachers
ON his preserves, Captain Thornton and a
keeper had been killed; and | was ques-
toned until my very brain began to reel
thought | should be called upon to
evidence against him. l had loved him
once. He was the father OF my children.
To avoid such contingency, / fled
whittier l neither knew nor cared.
had no money-never thought OF it.
/ went along lanes, through fields, avoid
ing the high roads, excitement keeping
me up, though had no food. The first
night took shelter in barn. stealing off
like culprit at daybreak. | must have
looked hungry, for lad. swinging on
gate, with great piece OF bread in his
hand, broke it in two, and offered me part
of it.
That night dropped on stone by the
wayside and fell asleep. ! was aroused
by some one calling to me. A gentleman
in gig offered me seat II | was going
his way. The moon shone full on his
face. and III my surprise calculated, "Mr.
Smithson -
know not whose surprise was the
greatest. My father had dealt with him
for years, and he had called on Amos
Bradley only the day before. My troubles
were not unknown to him. Told him all
He took me home to Redditch, to his wife
and there remained
My husbands sentence was now for life.
There was no fear of his breaking in upon
me, they said; but, alb thought and men,
DRY did that.
Mr.. Smithson would have had me
change my name, but dared not destroy
the only clue by which Launce might seek
his mother. From time to time heard OF
him through Mrs. Mathews. Once went
to meet him in Liverpool-only once.
expected him home from California last
Christmas, but looking over newspaper
few days since / saw that the Rosicru-
clan had foundered off Cape Verde, and
all hands gone down with her. 1t was
my sons ship, and my last hope went
down with the Rosicrucian ,-CaSseFS
Monthly.