The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1905-09-07

On, and Yet Lis Always Hungry.
Six years ago I met Joseph Kenna.
He was a g~ood-looking young fellow.
Often / watched him pass down the
street on his ice-wagon. Every night
he came to see me. Money was moth
ing to him then. He was making $12 a
week. He bought mt everything. l
was happy.
"Oh," 1 used to say to him, you're
too good to me; I don't deserve it. All
I can do is to love you"
1 did love him with my whole soul.
I thought of him all day. Such a fine
fellow he was!
After a year he asked me to marry
him. I was the happiest woman on the
East Side. I was proud of Joe. So
we were married. and for a short time
things went we'll.
One night Joe came home late. I
thought he acted queer. He kissed me.
His breath smelled of beer. Ny heart
turned sick. / felt what was coming.
True enough, / knew there would be no
rest for me after that. Joe didn't say
much, and | didn't scold him.
The next day he told me he was
sorry. l forgave him. I hoped once
more. In 4 few nights he came in
again. It was midnight. where's
dinner?' he yelled. His eyes were
bloodshot and fierce. l vas sitting up
for him.
Here it is, Joe, DEAR" 1 said. He
giared ut me and swore a terrible oath.
Then he dashed the dishes on the floor.
1 began to cry. "Shut up" he shouted.
'I1l choke you"
trembled with fear. He fell on that
lounge there and dropped to sleep. 1t
made my heart bleed to look at him.
Oh, it was terrible! The next norm
ing he went away and never spoke to
me. 1t was the first time.
After that it got worse. Little Joe
was born. His father cursed at him
when he cried, and threatened to kill
him. He never came in till late at
night. All the neighbors were afraid
of him. They wanted to help me, but
they were scared.
For five years night after night he
came home drunk. He would slap me
sometimes and strike the children. But
I loved him in spite of it all.
Little Joe was five and Julia two
years old when baby was born. She's
thirteen months old now From that
time Joe went from bad to worse. He
lost his position on the ice wagon. He
gave US nothing to eat.
81 wish you were all dead" he would
growl.
How he got liquor, 1 don't know; but
get it he did. One cold night there was
no fire in the stove. 1 was freezing. l
wrapped my one shawl round the baby,
and Julia huddled up neal me on the
bed. Little Joe came in. His hands
were red with cold.
Mamma" he cried. there's a quar-
ter a big man gave me-" His father
stood in the doorway. He saw the
quarter. "Give there" he growled.
Il WON'T" answered little Joe, rum
ming to me.
His father picked up a chair and hit
the boy-his own son. The quarter
rolled on the floor. The little fellow
did not move.
you've killed my darlingr' 1 cried.
He muttered out an oath and skunk out.
He always had a heavy whip. With
this he beat me and his little ones.
When they cried he laughed. Poor
little dears! When they heard him
coming their faces would so all white
and they would tremble all over.
Joe's clothes got all ragged. He
didn't care. Whisky was all he want
ed. At last I got sick. I had to lie
down. 1 was trying to sleep on the
sofa. not a month ago, when in stag
gered o
"Get up" he roared, and struck me
with the butt of his whip. / shrunk
away. "Stop hitting my mamma" 1
heard little Joe cry. He turned around
and threw the boy On the floor. Then
he struck the baby and stumbled out.
My body was all black and blue where
he'd hit me. I was sore all over. I
Rugged the poor baby. 1t kept looking
at the door and screaming.
Joe didn't come back that evening.
1 kissed the children and tried to keep
awake. but my eyelids were too heavy.
eat. My head a dizzy. There was
nothing in the room. 1 was faint. 1
tried to nurse baby in vain.
Then I tried to get up. I was too
weak and sore. I looked at the picture
of the Virgin there and prayed.
l could not see clearly. I put my
hand over n eye. All was dark. My
cup was full, but I hoped for the chill
dren. / told them TO be good and hon
est and to love their poor mamma.
For five days I lay IN the bed. The
poor children cried for food. Joe came
once. "For Gods sake, DEAR" I said,
Eight the fire and give the BARNS
to eat" He Scowled at me
and broke a rocking chair on the floor.
l did not see him again.
Finally a man from some society
in. He took me and cared for the
children. The next thing I knew 1 was
in Bellevue.
Joe has gone now. I am sorry for
him. He meant to kill me. He tried
to, but that was because he was drunk. |
Perhaps he'll reform and be good after
he gets out Of jail.
Perhaps he'll be glad to see his boy
and girls growing up. I am praying
will. 1 must support them till they
get big somehow.
If only my eyes!ght would come back
to me.
This is the way a New York daily
paper winds up the trial of a man for
to his wife and three small
Children. "Ynt who ooraS. 4ha .,,o,