Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-12-03

spoonfuls of molasses. Mother baked
the meal into bread, and told me to
feed the baby when she woke, and to
keep a sharp lookout for father; he was
in town on n big spree ; he was awful
cross when he was drinking; it was not
safe for him to get his hands on US, so
we always hid when we saw him COM
ing, if mother was not at home. Little
Bess would nearly 20 into fits when she
saw him coming home drunk. Don't
let Bess cry if you can help it, Willie !;
| I'm afraid won't get home until after
dark to might. Mrs. Gray always has
such large washings, but will come as
soon as I can, and will bring home
some provisions, for must have some
money to night, or we starve.' She
kissed Baby Bess, as she lay asleep and
then kissed me at the door. BE good
boy, Willie, and take care of little Sis
ter Bessie slept long time that
morning, and | passed the time in sit
ting by her and going to the door to
watch for father. When she woke up
she said the first thing, Baby is S"
hungry, Willie, get something to eat
Get up, Bessie, and let me dress you,
and then we will have breakfast |
had not eaten mouthful, nor had
mother tasted food before leaving
home, and was awful hungry myself.
She got up, and dressed, washed and
combed her; but when we sat down 10
the table, Bessie looked at the food
and then she just dropped her curly
head right down on the table, and Sob
bed out Is: 'Oh, Willie, am so tired of
corn bread and molasses, can't eat it,
want some meat aud putter.' Don't
cry, Baby said, stroking her curls,
mot her will bring homs something to-
night But it is so long TO wait-:his
is Mrs. .Gray's day and mother is always
late when she washes for her. Try
to eat, said, aud put spoonful of
molasses on her plate, and she did try
but she only swallowed few mouth.
fuls, and then she left the table. ate
a small piece of dry bread, thought
maybe she would eat the molasses, so [
did not touch it. All day she kept
saying she was hungry, but refused to
eat what we had. 1t was long day
to both OF US. Father had not come
home, and it was nearly dark; we were
both sitting on the door step, Bessie
laid her head against my arm, and be
gan to cry, Pm so hungry, Willie.
mother stays so late tonight Don't
cry, Baby, mother will soon be home
OF course she will exclaimed George
Anderson; he lived mile beyond up,
and as he spoke he tossed bunch or
Llue-bells intu Bessie's lap. oh, how
pretty = she exclaimed, while the tears
dropped from her sweet blue eyes down
on the pretty blue bells. Come, Bessie
| said, let me fasten them among your
curls.' She got up and stood on the
door step with her face toward the
house I stood behind hel and tied the
blue-bells in her golden .curls. l had
Just fastened the last one when some
one jerked me off the bottom step. IL
was father; he was drunk, and l knew
by mis- looks that he was almost crazy
with drink. He pushed me aside and
stood between little Bessie and me.
| Bessie turned to run, but he caught
| her and said, you have been crying;
| what did Willie do to you p She was
so white and scared that I thought she
would faint. Willie didn't do any
thing,' she gasped out. Father left
her go and grasped me; he commenced
| to shake me awful. You rascal, what
did you do to Bessie Tell me or I'll
shake the breath out Of you He shook
| me so I could not answer. Then little
Bessie caught him by the arm, Please,
father, don't hurt Willie; I was so hun
cry it made me cry He looked in at
the table and saw the bread and molass.
es. you little white-faced liar, you
are not hungry !; look in at that tatle,
there is plenty to eat and good enough,
too, for such brat as you,' and he
shook her roughly. She began to cry
and tried to put my arm about her,
but my father pushed me away. IF you
can't eat anything, will give you
something to drink. and he caught her
up in his arms and started down the
path that led to the pond where we
got wash-water. 1t was not a frog
hole, the water was as clear as lake
and it was surrounded by green grass
and several large trees grew near the
bank. It was lovely place in summer
and a glorious place for skating in the
winter. 1t was only a short distance
from the house. Bessie hnshed crying
but she looked so awful scared I fol.
lowed close behind father. 'I'll give
you something to drink, he exclaimed
when he reached the edge Of the water
and I followed, scarcely knowing what
was doing. was so frightened He