Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/216

 if I part with ye, before I have bared your bones—I'll teach ye to be always dipping in my dish, ye devil's dam, ye!"

So saying, he tumbled out of bed: at the first step he struck his head against the bedpost; but setting himself upright, he staggered towards the spot where I stood: some new obstacle occurred—he stumbled and fell at his length upon the floor.

To encounter or expostulate with a man in this state, was plainly absurd: I turned and issued forth, with an aching heart, into the court before the house. The miseries which a debauched husband or father inflicts upon all whom their evil destiny allies to him, were pictured by my fancy, and wrung from me tears of anguish: these images, however, quickly yielded to reflections on my own state: no expedient now remained, but to seek the barn, and find a covering and a bed of straw.

I had scarcely set foot within the barn-yard when I heard a sound as of the crying of an infant: it appeared to issue from the barn; I approached softly and listened at the door. The cries of the babe continued, but were accompanied by entreaties of a nurse or a mother to be quiet: these entreaties were mingled with heart—breaking sobs and exclamations of—"Ah, me! my babe, canst thou not sleep, and afford thy unhappy mother some peace? Thou art cold, and I have not sufficient warmth to cherish thee! What will become of us? Thy deluded father cares not if we both perish."

A glimpse of the true nature of the scene seemed to be imparted by these words. I now likewise recollected incidents that afforded additional light.—Somewhere on this bank of the river, there formerly resided one by name Selby; he was an aged person, who united science and taste to the simple and laborious habits of a husbandman. He had a son, who resided several years in Europe; but on the death of his father, returned home, accompanied by a wife: he had succeeded to the occupation of the farm; but rumour had whispered many tales to the disadvantage of his morals. His wife was affirmed to be of delicate and polished manners, and much unlike her companion.