Litchfield enquirer., 1841-12-30
THE BENEVOLENT WIDOW.


 Empire City of New York. She lived in the enjoyment of all the inxuries which could be procured by an ample fortune, which her deceased husband had amassed by long course of successful industry.- He married in advanced life, and shortly afterward left his young wife, to enjoy that fortune for which she had sacrificed her person. Although surrounded by wealth, aud foremost in the ranks of fashion, Mrs. Spangle was not insensibie to the feeling of humanity, or the claims of the poor on the rich-for her name was to be found on the subscription list of the Assistance Soce- ty," for the benefit ofpoor and pious Wid- ows, for the sum of five dollars annually and she had been known to take her stand at one of the tables at Lady's Fair held for the same benevolent object, where she was greatly admired for her beauty and el egant manners.
 IL was in the winter of -, memorable for its intense cold and abundance ofSnow, that Mrs. Spangle was amusing herself by looking out of her window, after taking hearty breakfast of coffee, hot rolls and sau- sages, and as she beheld the busy crowd, passing in pleasure sleighs of every variety of fashion, and listening to the music of ten thousand sleigh-bells, her heart, which was very susceptible, caught tka infection, and she determined to join the rOute-apd forthwith sent message to two or three of her fashionable friends to accompany her in sleigh drive-and while Josiah, who of1iciated in the double capacity of coach- man and waiter, was preparing the horses, putting on their harnesses, dress blankets aud sleigh-bells, her Ladyship arrayed her self in her fur cloak, huff, tippet and over shoes, and then waited impatiently for the arrival of her companions. They were soon seated in a capacious and we'll cushion- ed sleigh-and as the sleighing was fine and the horses mettleson,e, they soon passed many of their competitors in the pursuit of pleasure. There was no time for rccogni- ton, or salutation, for they went at Rail- road speed, and hardly left moment of time for the beholders to admire the elegant trappings of the horses. These appendages and appearances served to inf1ame the pride of the owner, but they could not keep her body warm, and in despite of furs and fash ion, she soon began to shiver !-" Bless me ," exclaimed Mrs. Spangle, "I had no idea it was SO exceedingly cold do Josiah, drive little faster, and 1 think we had bet ter shorten our drive" After short pause Mrs. Spangle resumed !" o Josiah, what will the poor widow Constant do with her train ofliltle ones in this bitter weather?' " Bad enough madam, fear" said Josiah, " for when l went this morning for your LaLyship's eorsets, she said she had not been able to finish them last night for the wan, of candle; aud when assisted her iu building a fire 10 dress her children by, who were still in bed, to keep .hem from freezing, discovered that she had but two or three sticks of wood left" Is it pos- sible, Josiah?" said the shivering Lady, with most touching emphasis. Do Jo- siah, the moment we get home, call cart and take the poor widow load of wood out of my vault" "I will, madam" said Josiah, with look which expressed the be- nevolence of his heart. "l vii" in which feeling his horses seemed to sympa,hize, for they instantly increased thcir speed, and in few minutes they were in front of the Lady's splendid mansion. Mrs. Spangle had just finished a most pathetic
 
 the obligations the rich were under to on- tribute to the necessities of the poor in such distressing season of the year, to which the Ladies smiled assent, and took their leave.
 As soon as Mrs. Spanele had seated her self in her dining room, Josiah asked whether he should go immediately and call cart to take the widow Constant her wood! Y" "Josiah," said Mrs. S., {" am perishing with cold, and you must first make me up good fire ov l shall absolutely freeze !" The fire being made and burning brightly, Josiah renewed the inquiry, Madam, shall call cart now to take the wood 2" 70 :" said the Lady, shiverng and at the same time looking at her watch, it is now near our dining hour, and you know yon have to wait a, the table, you may therefore postpone calling a cart until after dinner, and in the mean time do you step down to the kitchen and hurry the cook" Josiah returned in few minutes and informed his Lady tha, dinner would be served up in half an hour then proceeded according to custom to place bottle ofporter and d de- canter of wine at the fire 10 take off the chillness. The cloth was soon laid, and the table spread with the choicest viands the market afforded, and Mrs. Spangle sat down with an unusual appetite. acquired by the invigorating effect of exercise and fresh air. "Then sated hunger bade his broth- CT thirst produce the capacious gOblet."- When the cork was drawn and the brown stout foamed in the glass, which was follow ed at intervals by two glasses of Old Maderia,'' and dessert of tar,s, cus'a'ds,