The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-03-31
"Halloa, there Have you got any

mo, dear, not mouthtul sa1d the
woman, in pleading voice, hastily set
ting the saucepan under the stove.
"Whats that you say? Are you
lying to me? I can smell something
you've been cooking. What is that you
are putting under the stove? You're
hiding it from me, are you? Fetch it
out this minute"
He sat on the edge of the bed and
glared at her angrily.
"James, it's only little broth for
Harry. Remember he's sick and has
had nothing to eat since yesterday"
The anguish-wrung words fell from
her lips in piteous, pleading tones that
must have moved any one not insane
with liquor.
"Confound you and your child" cried
the man, "you do nothing but cuddle
him and he does nothing but whine.
Why don't you send him out to beg or
work He's old enough to. But no, he
must sit in the house feeding on dam
ties, while 1 starve. Bring that sauce
pan here
"James, the child is starvingl Look
at him !" cried the mother, in despair
With an oath the man got up and ap-
prOdcneu une Sraue'
Husband, you must not take it..
Oh, you cannot. Our child is dying
dying of hunger-and that is all have
to give him."
"We'll see what l can do. Stand
aside, tell you"
With an oath he struck her to the
floor, and picked up the saucepan and
deliberately ate its contents.
"We'n see who is master of this
house." said the brute. "That's only a
beginning. Now this brat has got to go
out and beg. He's played the drone
long enough. Here, sir, come out of
that bed"
And seizing the frightened boy by
the shoulder he dragged him out.
"James, James what are you going
to do?" screamed the mother, throwing
herself on her knees and catching her
child in her arms.
"Take him out to the street corner
and make him beg"
"No, no; the child will freeze to
death. He is already sick and starving.
You shall not take him out into the
cold-you shall not |! "
Desperately she clung to the boy,
while his father wrenched at his arm,
until the child tainted with grief and
pain.
Then with an oath at his weakness,
the father hurled the limp body back
upon her.
"Have you got any money!" he
demanded.
"No. James. The last penny went to
buy the broth of which you deprived
our starving child. Oh, my husband
how could you?'
q wonder if these things would
fetch anything in the pawnshop?" And
he tossed over the ragged bedclothes
to find something that would bring the
price of single drink.
"The whole lot wouldn't fetch q
shilling" he growled, and then walked
ont of the room, slamming the ricketty
door, angrily.
Then the mother rose with her un.
conscious boy and laid him on the bed
There was terrible look on her face as
she drew from closet a pan of charcoal
and set it on a stove. With an icy calm
she walked about the room, stuffing
rags in all the crevices, and when this
was done, ignited the charcoal. She
bent over the child to take q last long
look-a look Of devouring love and pity
She kissed his lips, brow and emaciatet
hands. Then she laid down and gath
cred him to her heart.
Good cannot Judge me harshly fol
this" she said. "It will end his misery
and mine"
But throb of anguish convulsed her
as she thought that she would never see
her child again in this world, never heal
his voice, never feel the clasp of his
arms nor the touch of his lips. As i
her clasp awakened him, he moved anG
cried:
Mamma, mammal
Then the poisonous vapors that rost
from the charcoal seemed to clear away
and the voice became more distant, re
solving itself into the words:
"Mabel Mabel! what is the matter
with you?"
Mabel Aberdeen shook off the night
mare that held her in thrall. She wa.
no longer starving wretch, courtine
death for herself and child, but young
lady in the full bloom of health anc
happiness, surrounded by every comfor
and luxury. And it was only Cousin
Grace she held in such convulsivt
grasp, while she trembled from head t.
foot and cold perspiration oozed from
every pore in her body.
And this morning James Burton, ne
wrecked drunkard, but her noble James
so strong and good, would be there
and she was to decide whether he should
drink wine or coffee.
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