Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-07
AWOman at the Bottom OF IL.

per, ana laceu the lllIle group III Ine par
lor. / am fast growing out Of patience
with tins text: "A woman at the bot
tom of it, 1t would be strange in this
world, made up as we are aware OF two
sexes, ifa woman would not occasional
ly be found at the bottom Of any good
thing! 1t is the injustice Of the thing
that makes me angry. Now there are
hundred ofus poor fellows who owe all
we are, all we have, and all we can
hope to become, In this world or the
next, to the unselfsh love of woman
The gentleman's face was flushed,
and he spoke very warmly and feeling
ly, so much so that his wife rocking her
baby to sleep In the farther corner ofthe
room, inquired
But why should you care John? 1t
always has been 80, and always will be
so. We don't think much about it now,
because we have been taught to expect
it,
But you should care, and you should
fight for each other more than you do.
There is one chapter in my life's hsto-
ry that 1 have always kept locked III
my heart, but tonight l feel 1t is my
duty to open it for your inspection +; and
I do it for the love OF woman-fOr the
love Of one woman who made me what
1 am worthy TO be, the husbrnd Of a
good woman
why, John' said Mrs. Havilaud,
softly approaching-babe still held tight
to her bosom-'you absolutely frightcn
me-
Let's have the story said the rest of
the group, certain that something good
might be anticipated, and John COM
menced at first a little timid, but gain
lag confidence as he proceeded.
when | first came to New York. at
the age Of twelve years to seek my for
tune, 1 can call myself a precocious
chap without danger Of being accused
of an unusual degree ofselt-aprreciation.
l was quick to learn anything, the bad
as well as the good. My employer used
profane language. l picked up oaths he
dropped with naturalness that surpris-
ed even myself The boys in the office
all chewed tobacco. This was a little
the hardest job 1 ever attempted, but
after two weeks of nausea and indescrib-
able stomach-wrenchings, L came off
victorious, and got away with my paper
a day with the best of 'em.'
True, every word OF it, continued
the speaker.
'One afternoon was sent with a note
from my employer TO house in the up
per end Of the city. hadn't any thing
to read but l had plenty of oftobacco, and
with that l proposed to entertain myself
during the two or three hours l must
spend in the passage. For some dis
tance l did not notice who were beside
me, but by and By a lady said, very
softly and pleasantly, Would you
please little boy, be more careful? l
am going to party this afternoon, and
l should hate to have my dress spoiled
Il looked into her face. 1t was the
sweetest face | ever saw. Pale, earn
est and loving, to my boyish heart it was
the countenance ofan angel
What in the world did you say:' in
terrupted Mrs. Havlland, her bright
eyes filed with tears, as she saw how
the memory of this beautiful woman af-
fected her husband.
Say! There was very little that 1
could say. think all did for some
time was to look, | managed to dis
pose Of the tobacco, however, and wiped
my mouth very carefully, all Of which
felt she saw and mentally commented
upon.
Have you a mother, little boy?' she
next asked in the same tone.
No, ma'am, 1 answered, and l felt
nay throat filling up, and l knew | must
swallow mighty fast to keep from Sob
bing.
You have father then l suppose?'
she kept on.
No, ma'am, no father
Brother and sister?'
Neither ma'am.'
Then the little boy is all alone in the
world?"
All alone, ma'am.'
How long has your mother been
deadr and the dear woman looked
away from my face, and waited till l
could speak.
Two years. l answered.
And you loved her?' came next.
Dearly was all could say.
she was silent moment, and then
said so sweetly-oh! l shall never for
get it -
And what do you think your dear
mother would say-how do you think
she would feel-to know that her little
boy was gull ty of such disgusting hab-
it as this y pointing to my cheek, where
the tell-tale quid had yalnly tried to
stand its ground.
Il must leave now,' she continued
but here is my card, and if You come
to me most any evening, | shall be glad
To see you, and perhaps We can be of
service to each other.'
SHE gave me her little gloved hand,
and to my dying day shall never for
get the sensation of that moment. |
could not bear to part with her with
out her l felt that l could do nothing;
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