The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-12
"A WOMAN IN THE CASE"
A WOman's Influence Not Away
PerniciOus.

PerniciOus.
ITO tell the TRUTH" said John Haviland,
as he threw aside the evening paper and
faced the little group in the parlor, al am
fast growing out of patience with this text
"A woman at the bottom of it. 1t
would be strange in this world, made up
as far as we are aware of nothing but the
two sexes, if a woman would not occa-
sionally be found at the bottom OF any
thing good. 1t is the injustice of the
thing that makes me angry. Now there
are hundred Of US 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
ne spoke very warmly and feelingly, so
much SO that his wife, rocking her baby
to sleep in the further corner OF the room,
inquired
"But why should you care, John 1t
has always been SO, and always will be SO.
We don't think much about it now, be-
cause we have been taught to expect it"
"But you should care and you should
light for each other more than you do.
There is one chapter in my lifes history
that | have always kept locked in my
heart but tonight l feel as if it were my
duty to open it for your inspection and |
do it for the love of woman-for the love
Of woman who made me what l am
worthy to be, the husband of good wo-
man"
why John P'said Mrs. Haviland, soft
ly approaching-babe still held tight to
her bosom-"you absolutely frighten me-"
"Let's have the story" said the rest of the
group, certain that something good might
be anticipated ; and John commenced, at
first a little timid, but gaining confidence
rs he proceeded.
"When first came to New York, at the
age Of IL years, to seek my fortune, can
cali myself precocious chap without dan
ger of being accused of an unusual de-
gree Of self appreciation. was quick to
learn everything, the bad as well as the
good My employer used prolane Ian
guage picked up the oaths that he
dropped with a naturalness that surprised
even myself The boys in the Office all
chewed tobacco. This was the hardest lob
ever attempted, but, after two weeks OF
nausea and indescribable stomach wrench
ings came off victorious, and could get
away with my paper day with the best
Of EN-.
"'rrue every word of it," said the speak.
er. "Ons afternoon l was sent with
note from my employer to house in the
upper part of the citJ::' hadn't anything
to read,bu l had plenty OF tobacco ; and
with that proposed to entertain myself
during the passage. For some distance l
did not notice who were beside me, but by
and by lady said, very softly and pleas.
antly: Would you please, little boy, be
more careful. am going to party this
afternoon, and should hate to have nv
dress spoiled
81 looked into her face. 1t was the
sweetest face I ever saw. Pale earnest
and loving, to my boyish heart it was the
countenance of an angel"
"What in the world did you say ?" In
teTnpted Mrs. Haviland, her bright eyes
filling with tears, as she saw how the
memory Of this beautiful woman affected
her husband.
@Say There was very little / could
say. think all | did for some time was
to look"
"I managed to dispose OF the tobacco,
however, and wiped my mouth very care
fully, all of which 1 felt certain she saw
and mentally commented upon"
"Haye you mother, little boy? She
next asked, in the same low tone
mNo, ma'am, | answered, and felt my
throat filling up,and l knew l must swal-
ow mighty fast to keep from sobbing.
~You have father, then, l suppose?
"No. ma am; no father
"BrotherS and sisters p
"Neither, ma'am.'
"Then you are alone in the worIdr
"All alone, a'am.'
"Ilow long has your mother been dead"
and the dear woman looked away from
my face, and waited till could speak.
"'rwo years. ! answered
"And you loved her ? came next.
"Deariy,' was all could say.
"She was silent for moment, and then
she said so sweetiy-oh | shall never
Sorget tt
"And what do you think your dear
mother would say-how do you think she
would feel know that her little boy
was guilty of such disgusting habit as
this" pointing to my cheek, where the
tell,tale quid had vainly tried to stand its
ground.
'"l must leave now,' she continued, but
here is my card, and if you come to me
most any evening I shall he Glad IN coo