Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-07-05
From the Newburvport Herald.

From the Newburyport Herald
IN affecting Incidcnt.-A discourse
was delivered on Wednesday evening, in
the Pleasant st. Church, before the Socie.
ty for the Relief of Aged Females, by the
Rev. Mr.. Stevens, of Boston. Prayers
were offered by the Rev. MIR. Williams, of
this town. The annual report of the So
ciety was read, and collection taken up
in aid of the funds of the society.
The discourse of Mr.. Stevens was
production glowing with warm and eleva-
ted feeling, chaste and energetic in Ian
guage, and fully sustained the reputa-
tion which had preceded him here.
In concluding his remarks, Mr.. Stevens
said he would relate part of the history
Of a family in Philadelphia, with which
he was intimately acquainted. Itconsist-
cd Of the parents and four children. The
husband was in an employment which en-.
abled him to maintain his family comfort
ably, and lay by something as provision
for his old age.
In the midst Of usefulness he was seized
with consumption, and during pro-
tracted illness, the little estate which he
had acquired was chiefly expended. After
his death the mother tasked herself to sup.
port her little family. Night after night
was she engaged in laboring with her
needle for their support, the children sit
ting by her side endeavoring to comfort
and encourage her. Her arduous exer-
ton shortly brought on the same disease
which had taken away her husband.
The support of the family was thus en-
tirely cut of. At this crisis, the oldest
boy, then not over seven years OF age,
went from door to door, begging for some
employment, to keep the family from star
vation. Those upon whom he thus called
were too busy to listen to the story of
child. Finally, by dint of perseverance,
he succeeded in obtaining situation in the
Globe Cotton Mill, in Philadelphia, re-
ceiving for his services Is cents per week.
He succeeded in getting a younger brother
into the same establishment, who was paid
SO cents per week. Their united wages
S1,25 per week-served TO sustain the
sick mother and the family. Things
went on this way for some time--the
mother was fastening to the end of her
earthly career. None interested them
selves in the fate Of these obscure individ-
uals. Their neighbors were vicious,
degraded people, as poor as themselves.
For a long period roasted potatoes we're
their only food-and the small pieces Of
wood which they could collect in the
streets their only fuel.
Finally, female who had been a
bridesmaid to the mother, heard Of her dis.
trcsses and sought her out. Her assis-
tance and personal services were freely
giyen--but alas it was nov too late she
could but smooth the pillow of death. The
mother was laid in her grave by the side
of her husband, and the children were left
orphans. The kind lady remained by,
of what little furniture was left,
and obtained situations for the remnant of
this afflicted family. Their prospects be-
gan to assume brighter hue. At their
meeting at the end of the year, they could
say that the past year had been more
prosperous than any before it. Finally,
an opening was made for the Older boy in
the christian ministry, and that boy, said
Mr.. Stevens, is the indtidual uho now ad
dres ses yoa.
We have rarely witnessed more pow
erful effect than the announcement of this
fact produced. 1t was as though an elec-
trio shock had gone through the whole au-
dance. So entirely unprepared were the
assembly for such termination, so COM
pletely had their sympathies been given to
the sufferers, whom they had supposed
were at that time many miles distant, that
the declaration that one, who had passed
through the scenes in which their feelings
had been so strongly enlisted, stood be-
fore them, was unexpected and startling in
the highest degfee.
"WHY D1Es'T You CALL NE BACK
/" Why didn't you call me back. mama!
Why didn't YOU make me come back!"
said little Virginia Ann, as she came |
crying into the house, her mouth all bleed
ing from fall upon the ice. This was
the ,eproof oi a child four yeats cd ~ ;