Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-07
ML,s WELL THAT ENDS WELL,

Just back of Bristol avenue, where
the palatial stores lowered skyward,
where the richly-c!ad walked to and fro,
making costly purchases amid the fasci-
nations of brilliant lights and we'll filled
purses, runs narrow, wretched street
called Dirk's Lane,' but 'Scarecrow
Row" would be more appropriate, fol
the cottages were falling to pieces, the
steps decaylng, the rickety, broken hin
ged blinds beating back and forth in the
gusty wind, the weather. beating fences
dllapidated, clapboards swinging, and
the old broken window-panes stuffed
with rags, old hats, s,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 tie 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
whiteness which has been slited through
the cracks of the door. a fire burns
feebly in an old grate-so fecbly, that
all but stony hearts must sigh for the
human woe here enshrined- and upon
the neatly-svept hearth three children
sit talking. The lamp-light, flickering
to its wane, reveals by its sickly flame
them other kneellng 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-all
about her shoulders-a halo Of beauty.
She was fearful that the night Of death
was gathering her only daughter, the. lit
tie 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 lamb in his bo-
som, and Father she prayed, save her
from such stormy pathway as her
mothers has beer! !
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 bread:' asked Harry, the youngest;
'or anything, mother, don't care what'
added Fred, while Frank, the eldest,
said nothing, only taking his mothers
hand and rubbing 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. This
will have to do for tonight she said;
(not adding that there was not another
mothfhl IN the house, )and bending down,
she held the bas in over the flame until
it was hot, and then poured it over the
bread.
oh, mother, it is so good, said Har-
ry; tastes like more, added Fred, with
a faint attempt at joke.
The weary mother talked with the
boys for weary half hour, ,endeav voring
to,putsa brightness in her words that
her poor heart never knew, and then
said, Boys, it would be warmer for you
in bed, mother will tuck you up, for it
is bitter night and she shivered as
she spoke. Their bed was only on old
mattress, spread IN one corner; but as
their mother tucked the woolen 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. Franh spoke first.
oh, boys, 1 saw such 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 L only could
have bought 1t for mother
Where Is your money you earned
holding horses, I'd like to know?' quer-
led Fred.
Gone to pay for medicine and broth
for Baby May answered Frank, and
then added in lower voice, Fred, Pm
afraid Baby May is going to Heaven
DOM to Heaven eched Harry; i
wis toud do, too, dere's everysln'
bootiiul dere; 'trismas presents and ALL
Let US pray TO God 10 take US 100
let us tell him-we're so cold and hun
gry,' added Fred.
And have dot nosin but an old wus.
ty knife chimed IN Harry.
Frank laughed at this speech, but the
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 a thin kid case,
and opening it took from 1t a note
which read! My wife, | am sober now,
but came near killing you in my last
drunken spree, and cannot tell what
may do next. l cannot give up the
terribly cup. | cannot pray. l may
ho doomed htit voil may pray n VOu