The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-21
Two Dollars a Year.

she would be- And then she thought of
the river yet To be forded and every
breath was prayer. She determined
not 10 let him have the child when they
came to the crossing, but to trust to her
own arm end courage to carry herself
and the babe through. She hoped he
would not think to ask for the child. and
was nerviug herself for a refusal in case
he should, VIXEN they came in sight of
the water.
The moon shone down, making it al
most as bright as day Virge thanked
heaven for that But she shuddered rs
the sweep of the waters fell on her ear
and she saw it foaming white in the
the moonlight, as it swept on in strong
current.
Charles aroused himself.
Where's the boy:" he asked.
''Never mind, dear he's asleep, and
| don't like to disturb him. | can carry
him over. I'm strong enough for it."
"What is the woman thinking Of?
You carry him over indeed Give him
to me-"
''But, Charles, you are not in condi-
ton to hold him. | shall be thankful If
you can guide your horse over safely, as
you are
"Ha What do you mean by that"
iShe made no answer
do you take me tor a fool?" he said,
roughly and angrily.
"Now, Charles, don't do so You
know your arm is very unsteady, just
now. 1t is, indeed !"
"Ah, L understand you row. So,
madam, l suppose you think l am
drunk ?"
Again she was silent.
"Give me my child!" he said, fierce
ly.
go, Charles For Gods sake"
"Give him to me, | say ! Do you
think to brave me so? Give him here
this minute"
Resistance, she knew, was useless. 1t
would only serve to infuriate him, and
what will not drunken man do?
Uncovering the little sleeping face, she
kissed 1t Once-then drawing the thick
shawl which enveloped the little figure.
she covered the face again, and gave him
into her husbands arms.
''Charles! For the love of heaven be
careful"
So they plunged ii, and she did not
take her eyes from the other two until
they had reached the opposite bank
Then her horse stepped on a stone,
and, slipping, nearly precipitated her
into the water. When her attention
was again free they had reached the OPP
poste bank.
"There he is said Charles triumph
antly, as he placed the bundle in her
arms. ''What a simpleton you were to
think ! couldn't bring him over safely"
How very light it was Good heaven (!
She moved it about in her arms, pressed
it closer, and then uttered an awful
shrek.
"My child My little child! My Char
lie! Q, my child"
Both turned simultaneously back to
the water. The quick eye of the mother
was just in time to catch one last brief
glimpse of little rosy, pitiful, upturned
tace-and then it disappeared down the
current, AMI the rapid waters flowed on
In his drunken Inconsistencies Charles
had let the sleeping infant slip out Of the
shawls, and nothing could be heard
above the noise Of the waters. He did
not know it until the mother screamed.
There was no help. Oh it was pitiful,
heartbreaking Poor young motherl
x X 4; 4; =.
The home of the Gales is very still now.
Virgie's pale face seems paler yet, from
contrast with her black dress. The
cradle looks so desolate, standing always
back i'll one corner of the nursery. She
never passes it without having her heart
wrung anew; and she will sit for hours,
folding and unfolding the little clothes,
and her hands linger lovingly among
them. There is pair Of tiny worn
shoes in the drawer of her work. table and
lock of fair, soft baby hair in the great
bible.
Let US hope that Charles Gale il a
better man.