Year: 1864

three small children. Their rude, un-


finished cottage was several miles from


any other dwelling, and seven from the
nearest settlement, or village. I
mother who had been religiously educat-
ed, and was most respectfully connected


strove to make the best of her situation


but the father was miserable drunkard


To many OF the good woman's friends, il


was matter of surprise that she should


consent to live in such lonely and ''out


of the way" place. but those who pos.


sessed her confidence, knew that b {


cherished hopes that her husband, being


so far removed from temptation, might


become sober and Industrious. Her


hopes, alas, were vain. A distance oi


seven miles is nothing to a man thirsting


for strong drink, and the poor woman


with hopes crushed. struggled on in de-
stitution and loneliness, suffering more
than pen can tell.


1t was mid-winter, and great depth
Of snow already covered the ground,


with a violent storm evidently approach
ing Thedast handful of meal had been
cooked for breakfast, and the besotted
father started for the village to apply to
the town authorities for provisions.
With almost agonizing pleadings, did the
poor wife stand at the door, and entreat
him not to taste anything Intoxicating,
lest their little ones might perish for
want of food. II e promised WELL and
no doubt sincerely, but when he came to
the little shop at the entrance of the viii
lage, appetite too long INDUCED, over
came all good desires. He entered and
l need not tell how soon his senses were
stupefed, and bis suffering family forgot
ten.


Meanwhile the storm commenced, and
the hungry children watched at the one
window of their wretched abode, and
"wished father would come" An ear or
two of corn that was saved for seed, was
parched and eaten, the last eatable thing
the house contained. Night closed in
fearfully dark, and snowy and cold.
There was, however, a large lot of wood
in the corner and that was something TO
be thankful for. The poor little children
were very hungry, and it was hard to go
to bed without one mouthful of supper,
but they prayed to God, and their dear
mother did what she could to cause them
to forget their hunger, by telling stories
and singing to them. She dared not
promise food on the morrow, for her own
heart misgaye her, but she assured them
that their Father in heaven had not for
gotten them, if their earthly parent
had, and they must endure patiently
whatever they might have to suffer.


All night the wind howled, and the
snow came as it only comes in mountain
GUS regions, and when morning dawned,
the little hut was nearly buried in snow.
How the poor mother dreaded the awak
ening of the starving children What
day of intense suffering it was T c
mother forgetting her own hunger in her
distress for her precious babies. Again
and again did she look into the deep
chest, her only closet, wishing that she
might find one little crust. Alas, nothing
nothing but little salt.


Night came again, and after reading
about Jesus fasting forty days and forty
nights, the starving family raised their
fearful petitions to Him who never slum-
bers nor sleeps. T b G children were
snugly tucked in bed, and e weary
mother had told story after story, drop
ping her voice lower and lower, until she
was quite silent, hoping the dear little
ones were asleep.


an m m a" said the eldest, "if old
Mufy was here we m ght eat her,
couldn't we ?"


"Eat my dear kitty Mufyl" exclaim-
ed the youngest, "why Johnny, then she'd
be dead! You s0ouldnt kill Muffy pus-
sy, would you Johnny?"


The poor boy evidently had a struggle
between love and hunger, for he was si-
lent moment then choking out the
words; "Oh little sissyl ITS an apfsI
thing to sta>GrUe l' he burst into a vio-
lent fit of crying; the other two Joined
him, and the three mingled their cries to-
gether. The mother wept too, though
silently. She was shocked to hear her
little son speak Of eating their little pet,
though she had many times in the day,
thought of the same horrible expedient.
But puss was not there, she disappeared
the day before, and had not since been
seen. The children had long cry, and
their mother talked and sang, until at
last they slept; and then she fell upon
her knees in very gratitude for tn t