Litchfield enquirer., 1842-01-20

to aid them. I descended the tottering stairs, by the aid of the boy; and was soon again braving the fury ofthe storm, which still ragged with unabated violence. Wrap ping my cloak more closely around mo, and q"ickening my pace, soon reached my home, and when, on retiring to rest list ened to the pa:tering of the snow and hail against the window, and the now whistlng, now hollow sound of tho wind, as it swept along, shuddered to think of the poor w"- man and her children; with their scanty clothing and untenantable home.
 Next morning, acquainted my wife with the circumstances of the case, and she immediately set about preparing some arti- cles of apparel, and other necessaries, whilst set out 10 visit my patients, and procure some medicine for the sick woman, whose name learned was Mrs. Williams.
 By the time I returned. she had them prepared, and ordering the carriage, we proceeded to find our way to the street in which the poor woman lived. Driving to the place where had met the boy on the preceding evening, we followed, as well as l could remember, tho route that he had led me, turning up one street and down an- other, till at last we arrived at the house, or fabric, which could only remember from its dilapidated looks.
 We were welcomed at the door by the smiling face of the little fellow, who was beautiful even in his rags, and on entering the room, we passed the girl, who ex- claimed,
 Oh, sir, how glad am you've come We were afraid you had forsaken US, too, like eur'--but look from her mother prevented her from expressing herself, and she coDcluded-' had Eorsaken us too.'
 Struck with the beauty and naive of the gIrl, my wife had not observed the look that arrested her expression. l had, and | determined to fathom the painful secret, for such it appeared to be to the woman, whose eyes filled with tears as the girl was about to disclose it. concluded, however, to let 1t rest till some other time, and &C., cordingly leaving my wife ,Rere, and giv- ing some directions as to administering the medicine, took my leave. In about half an hour sent the carriage and my wife re- turned. She told me that she had given the medicine to Mrs. Williams, and had cloth- ed the children. She had also purchased some things at grocery, on her way home, i, which she had ordered to be sent to them as soon as possible. 2@
 And I hope,' she added, 'that they are now more comfortable.' , D" ..a following morning ! ag".n :s' s''ns t.1 them, anu Iuund them, as my wIle had hoped, much more comfortable, and Mrs. Williams somewhat better. On leaving them, beckoned the little girl to fellow me, and when we had got down stairs, ! asked her who she alluded to on the pre- ceding day. At first she seemed to hesi- tate, but upon my promising not to let her mother know that she told me, she an- Swered:
 It was our grandfather, sir
 Your grandfa,her' |
 Yes, sir. it was our grandfather. And mother says he is very rich and has great many ships; but mother does not like US to mention it,
 And why not, my girl? Why does he not help your mother2 ? ! asked.
 O, sir, mother says that it is because she married poor father, who is dead now!
 The truth at once flashed upon my mind. Mrs. Williams had been deserted by her father for marrying the man she loved. asked the girl her grandfalher's name. and she mentioned one that made me start it was the name of one of our most weakhy merchants. I was somewhat acquainted with him, and knew him to be an open hearted and generous man. had even known him to visit in person the abodes of the poor and needy, and determined il should not be long ere he should be made acquainted with the wants of one whose near relationship claimed his care, let her fault be what it naight. l knew from what the little girl told me, that he had been in- cxorablc, and that if he knew for whom 1 solicited, he would refuse {; for long and deep is a fathers dislike for a child who has disobeyed him. l therefore resolved moi to mention the name of the object Of my solicitations, but simply to represent her case, and get him 10 accompany me to her residence.
 On the second day following that on which the h,ile girl had told me of her erandfather's circumstances and name, l drove up to the door of his elegant man sion. situated in one Of the most Gsshi0na- ble streets of the city. I inquired if he was at home, and was answered tn the af- frmaiive. l was shown into his library, where he sat reading, at his leisure. the papers of the day.
 sMr. D. said I, as l entered, q have presumed upon oar acquaintance, knowing you to be man Of bsnevolence and feeliRg, to solicit your aid in bei,alf of poor sick widow, who, with her two chl- dren, reside in the lower part ofihe city.