South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-23
Ais Well That Ends Well.

just back OF Bristol avenue, where
the palatial stores lowered skyward,
where the richly-clad walked to and fro,
making costly purchases amid the fasci-
nations of brilliant lights and well filed
purses. runs q narrow. wretched street
called Dirks Lane. but 'Scarecrow
Row" would be more appropriate, for
the cottages were falling to pieces. the
steps decaying, the rickety, broken him
ged blinds beating back and forth in the
gusty wind, the weather-beaten fences
dilapidated, clapboards swinging, and
the old broken window-panes stuffed
with rags. old hats, etc. Can this be an
artery of the great city? Yes the living
tide flows freely here, although pale, sad
countenances are seen; faces furrowed.
scantily-cleaned forms gliding despair.
ingly through the streets, Children
look pinched and spectral their thinly-
clothed arms and bare hands purple
with cold as they hurry along. as fast
as their numb feet will allow, to their
wretched homes.
AS we enter one Of the crazy tene-
ments, we find that the snow has been
before us, and an involuntary chill
shakes us as we see the line Of cold
Wilderness which has been sifted through
the cracks of tie door. A fire burns
feebly in an old grate-so feebly, that
all but stony hearts must sigh for the
human woe here enshrined upon
the neatly-swept hearth three children
sit talking. The lamp-light, Pickering
TO its wane, reveals by its sickly flame
the mother kneeling beside an old broken
cradle, in which sick child of two years
lay asleep. The little hands held one
Of hers in tight clasp, and unwilling to
disturb the child, she left her hair just
as it had fallen from its fastenings-al!
about her shoulders-a ha 10 Of beauty.
She was fearful that the night Of death
was gathering DER her only daughter. the
little child Of four short summers, and
as she looked at The guileless, baby face,
she thought. poor mother. that it might
be best SO, for HE who loves little
ones, carries the lambs i'm his bosom, and
Father she prayed, ''save her from
such stormy pathway as her mothers
has been!''
Finally. as-the child moves in her
sleep. the little hands loosen their hold,
and the mother joins the boy by the
hearth. "Mother, dear mother, is there
any breadg" asked Harry, the youngest;
''or anything. mother, dom tcare what ~
added Fred. while Frank, the eldest.
said nothing, only taking his mothers
hand and rubbed his thin little face
against it.
The mother went to the pantry and
brought out three slices Of stale bread
and pint basin of cold broth. "rhis
will have to do for tonight" she said !;
mot adding that there was not another
mouthful in the house) and bending
down, she held the basin over the flame
until it was hot, and then poured it over
the bread.
''Oh. mother, it is so good" said liar
ry tastes like more" added Fred. with
q faint attempt ut a joke.
The weary mother talked with the
boys for weary half hour endeavoriny
to put brightness in her words that
her poor hear: never knew, and then
said, boys, il would be warmer for you
in bed, mother will tuck you up, for it
is bitter night" and she shivcred IA
she spoke. Their bed was only an old
mattress, spread in one corner; but as
their mother tucked the wooden spread
around them, and they were still clothed
with coats and pants, they began to feel
quite comfortable.
They talked in low whispers, but the
mother heard all. Frank spoke first.
"Oh, boys, saw such a Jolly shawl
sold to-day at O'Connor's auction! 1t
was SO red and so warm, OH my, and it.
only cost one dollar; if only could
have bought it for mother"
where is your money you earned
holding horses, I'd like to know" que
ried Fred.
Gone TO pay for medicine and broth
for Baby May" answered Frank and
then added in lower voice. Fred, I'm
afraid Baby May is going to Heaven"
Dom to Heaven, echoed Harry IF
! wis | toud do. too, dere's everysin'
bootiful deere : trismas presents and all -
Let us pray TO God TO take us too
let US tell him--we're SO cold and hun
gry," added Fred.
and have dot nosin but an old wus-
ty knife" chmed in Harry
Frank laughed at this speech. but tho
listening mother sighed. "Oh, my God.
aid US in our extremity, or my darlings
will soon get their wish and then she
took from her bosom thin kid case.
and opening it took from it a note which
read My wife, am sober now, but I
came near killing you in my last drunk
EN- spree. and | cannot tell what 1 may
do next. ! cannot give up the terrible
cup. j cannot pray. may be doomed.
but you may pray if you choose-per-
haps--God knows. And now goodbye,
go 70 your father ; he will be To you what
| am not-a protector" baby May
was only six months old then," she
unused, and l have prayed all these
years for Donald, dear Donald. dear
Donald" and the tears fell thick and
fast.
Down at the wharf vessel had JUS:
dropped anchor and furled her damp
sails. The passengers left the deck
with quick tread but with sober faces.