Litchfield enquirer., 1837-07-13
THE WIDOW

l perceived her as she slowly turned tie corner of the street, 10 stop and wipe away the tears that were fast coursing each oth- CT down her feeble cheek, and my heart took an interest in her affliction, though, knew net the cause.
 ! followed her, unnoticed, led by my feelings, to her humble habitation. I saw her enter, and heard her bestow a benedic- ton or three shvering infants who hailed her return with clamorous joy. She divi- ded among them the scanty portion of food which her days labor had been able to pro- cure. saw her turn away and weep in silence that it was SO little. 1 resolved to inquire her history, for she appeared like one who had seen better days: She had entered life with fair prospects, had marri- cd early, and lost husband whom she ten- derly loved he had been unfortunate in his business, and at his death was unable to leave her an adequate support for herself aud three children misfortunes had con- tinued to pursue her. She had talents, but poverty and i'll health had prevented her from exercising them. She had industry, but could find little to employ it. She called at the houses of the rich, but they " could not afford to employ her." She was too delicate for hard labor, and her feelings were too remote to allow her be- ing imporlunate. She bore her sorrows. her privations, her hardships, and the mor- tifca.ons attendant on condition like hers, in silence. The friends of her pros- perly had forgotten her in her misfortunes. She had nothing to attach her to life except these dcsolaie infants their sakes she | tried to support her miseries, and struggle on little longer. Tho thoughts of leav- ] ing them exposed to world which sho had found so pitiess, sometimes shook her forti- l Jude her religion would then come to her aid, and she remembered that they had Father in heaven, and she knew that God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.'
 4 Highland Echo.-In the course oflast summer, some strangers of distinction were induced to visit wild and unfrequented retreat in distant part of Highlands, chief ly from the report they had heard of an echo, remarkable for the clear and distinct nature of its reverberation. On reaching the spot from whence the trial of its powers is usually made, their guide put his hand to the side of his mouth, and bawled out with the lungs of Stentor, salutation in Gae- lie, which was repeated with precision that seemed beyond the expectation of the party. One of the gentlemen, by way of trying the strength of his voice, put his hand 10 the side of his mouth, in the samo manner as the guide, and called out, How farare we from home 2 These words, much Co the surprise of their conductor, were also repeated, when poor Donald, with simplicity that brought smile over the fea,uies of all present, observed, You may think it strange, gentlemen, but this is the first time ever heard our echo speak English Il have no doubt said the gen- :lenaR, but it can repeat other languages if put to the test, and instantly bawled out some French, Spanish, and Italian. Do- nald looked more bewildered than ever.- 'Weel, must say, that's very queer; my own father and my own self have known that echo lor more than seventy years. and we nevcr know it use no language but the
 Gaelic language beiofe.' 'Your echo ls
 more learned iben, than you supposod.'
 said tho gentleman. Ianehine, thoneh at C
 Inaslwhoiher Co iNpule Donaldt remarks i0
 nveIness or simplicity. 'YOU may say that.
 bni can you tOll ne, Sir,' said ilIe poor lal. lnw, win aA eNpFessi0n Ofenrnesiness that nppeaFed highly amusing Co ih0se present, : aa lhe eelO has never baen 0ai Of lho ennRiEy, WhsFO eaA she have RsI aii Aer | ssI.azIia.. D. aiad af fAaas