Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-09-25

And now the whole horde of boys beset
the drunken man, pel,ing him with sticks
and stones and decayed vegetables from the
kennel. and revcling in the brutal delight
with which such a scene alwavs seems to
inspire boys of the lower classes.
Ruth saw that her babe was safe and that
her husband was in danger, and. forgetful OF
all else, flew toward him. She cared nothing
for the jeers Of the mob; before them all.
she flung her arms about him. and interposed
her beautiful person between him and his
assailants. The head that had carried Itself
little proudly in the presence OF the high
est in the iand-that had seemed more
queen like than that Of the empress herself
at the court of France-that had awakened
the envy Of titled English women when
the young American woman dwelt among
them dropped itself low upon the bosom
of the drunken wretch who was the jeer and
scorn Of a low mob; and only in love and
pity, not in anger, did she speak to him =
Come home. Edward they'll hurt YOU,
my poor love! come home with me-"
Mad as he was-fled with the demons OF
drink To the exclusion Of the soul God had
given him-th soft, sweet voice. the fond
touch Of the white ilgers awakened some
memory Of the past in the mans breast.
go you home, girl !" he whispered an
kill them. Don't fret. III kill 'em. and"
Come home, darling" she whispered
again, and he stopped and gave her kiss
Al that the boys yelled derisively and flung
more mud and stones at them. One threw
a stone-a heavy stone. sharp pointed and
jagged. Whether he even intended to strike
the man is doubtful; but the missile flew
4lt+t - -. ~.
the golden head of the devoted wife. \
stream of blood gushed from the white
temple and poured down upon the bosom
where it dropped never 10 lift itself again
never, never more. Only with quivering
shudder of pain she felt for the face Of the
man who had sworn to love and cherish her,
and had broken that vow so utterly while
hers had been so truly kept
"Good-by, Edward" she whispered. 81
can't see YOU now-kss me. On, be good
70 baby and no word more.
The crowd was hushed to silence The
culpri,s siurk away in terror. A soberrd
man bent over the dead woman, whose
hands had dropped away from his breast
and the love and truth and tenderness Of the
heart we're all manifest to him in that terrible
moment-manfest III vain. for repentance
could not restore her life. nor blot opt thr
love which had crushed her heart through
all these weary days Of her sad married l.ft
What is the matter here 2" cried Voice.
as n portly man forced his way through
the crowd. "A woman hurt :" ~ woman
Nlllcd," said the policeman, "and that brute
! thc cause of all. and the gentleman b,a,
forward and started hack with cry of
anguish
at is Ruth :" he said M, R4,h" art
fell back into the polcemans arms in 4
death-like swoon. Forgiveness. ami repent
ance ~ come alike too late for poor Ruth
Holly. Her father could give her nothing
bui grave.
The child born amlds, want and penury.
nourished by half-siarved mother. pined
away and died in the luxurious home to
which Us grandfather bore il; and now, as
the old man sits alone in his splendid home.
IN sometimes hears q strange. wild cry IN
the street outside. through which drunken
creature reels and staggsrs, bowling ever
and anon. Ruth Ruth Ruth"
i y Edward Holly. who ever il hi>
drunken madness. searches for hismardered
wife. /, is the pitifu, horrible. heart break
ing wreck Of the once spendidly-beau,i
man Of talent, who had onhs one fault.