Ordinary sewing was all that she could do, and at this she could make but a small pittance.

The little that her husband earned was all expended in the accursed poison that had already ruined himself and beggared his family.
After having suffered every thing to sink to this condition, Lee found so little attractive in the appearance of a heart-broken wife and beggared child, and so much about them to reprove him, that he left them without a word, and went off to a neighbouring city.
How passing strange is the effect of drunkenness upon the mind and character of a man! Is it not wonderful how the tender, affectionate, and provident husband and father can become so changed into a worse than brutal insensibility to all the sacred duties of life?
Is it not wonderful how the man, who would, to-day, sacrifice even life itself for the safety of his family--who thinks nothing of toil, early and late, that he may provide for every want, can in a few years forsake them, and leave them to struggle, single-handed, with sickness and poverty?
But so it is! Instances of such heartless abandonment are familiar to every one.

"Surely," as it has been said, "strong drink is a devil!" For he that comes under its influence is transformed into a worse than brutal nature.
For a time after Lee went away, his wife was enabled, by sewing, to meet the scanty wants of herself and child.

The burden of his support had been removed, and that was something gained.

But a severe illness, during which both herself and little Jane suffered much for the want of nourishing food, left her with impaired sight.