The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-07-26
TT. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.

ho" 'o'teieu oehed'h tue leaVy gusts mat
ever and anon swept whistling through the
dark and narrow street. My little guide
opened the door and we entered, cropping
our way through the dark, until we came
TO an old, broken pair of stairs, that cracked
end shook beneath our steps as we assembled
Having reached the landing, from which
the door opened into the room where the
boy informed me his mother lay, sent him
forward to acquaint his mother and sister
ofmy presence. Lifting the latch softly, he
entered, leaving the door open behind him.
| stopped back a pace or two, and stood for
a moment to contemplate the interior of
the apartment, and oh what sight was
presented to my view! Ii was E. sight that
would have melted heart of stone.
On bed, in one corner of the room, with
but single blanket as a covering, lay a
sick woman; whilst near her on the only
chair, and indeed with the exception of an
old shaking bench, the only seat that was
visible in the apartment-sat girl about
ten or eleven years of age, who had been
reading from book which she held in her
hand. The remnant of an old carpet was
upon the floor &; few cooking utensils
hung against the wall and stool, and an
old broken mirror, and kind of wooden
chest or trunk, completed the furniture of
the apartment. had in the course of my
professional career visited many scenes of
distfess-many abodes of misery and want;
but then they were almost always coupled
with filthiness and obvious neglect. Here
il was Observation-Disclosures and order pre-
vaiIing throughout the room, indeed to a
much greater extent than could have been
expected In so old a fabric, where The snow
and rain drIfted in at every gust Of wind
chilling the room to such an extent, that
the few dying embers in the chimney could
be scarcely felt.
The boy stepped out, and requested me to
enter. "This is the kind gentleman, moth
en-" said he, as we approached the bed.
The woman whispered something which
was drowned by gust of wind that shook
the house to its foundation. and drove the
snow and sleet through the cracks and crew.
ices that were visible on every side. 1t was
evident, from the expression of her counten-
ance, that it was thanks that she was whis-
pering, for CLEAN of blended melancholy
and JOY stole across the face land faint smile
played about her mouth, which was as pretty
a one as | ever had seen. Indeed from her
appearance, she had been, when in health,
extremely beautiful. Her eyes were black,
and even in sickness retained a briliancy
that is seldom seen; her hair was dark au-
burn; and her lips thin, and with a natural
curl, which, corresponding with a nose of
Grecan shape, formed model of beauty,
even amid the poverty which surrounded
Her children too inherited their mothers
beauty land, unlike the generality ofpoverty's
children, were mannerly, even to politeness.
made known to her the fact that was a
physician, and reqested her to let me feel her
pulse. 1t was low and feeble as might have
been expected, from her not having had for
a week past scarce food enough to sustain
life. was about to order some refreshment,
but suddenly recol!ected myself | babe
them be of good cheer until morning, when
the storm being somewhat abated, would
return prepared 10 aid them. | descended
the tottering stairs, by the aid ofthe boy, and
was soon again braying the fury OF the storm,
which still ragged with undated violence
Wrapping my cloak more closely around me,
and quickening my pace, | soon reached my
home; and when on entering to rest | listen
ed to the pattering of the snow and hail a
gainst the window, and the now whlstling,
now hollow sound of the wind, as it swept
alcng, ] shuddered to think of the woman
and her children, with their scanty clothing
and unetnable home.
Next morning acquainted my wife with
the circumstances fthe case, and she imme-
diately set about preparing some articles OF
apparel, and other necessaries, whilst set
out to visit my patients, and procure some
medicine for the sick woman, whose name
learned was Mrs. Williams.
By the time returned she had them pre-
pared, and ordering the carriage, we Procee
ded to find our way to the place where the
woman lived. Driving to the place where |
had met the boy on the preceding evening,
we followed, as we'll as could remember,
the route that he had led me, turning up one
street and down another, until we at last ar
rived at the house, or fabric, which | could
only remember from its diapidated looks.
Ne were welcomed at the door by the
smiling face of the little fellow, who was
beautiful even in rags; and, on entering the
room, we passed the girl who exclaimed.
ooh sir, how glad | am you've come! We
were afraid yoa had forsaken us, too, like
our'-but look from her mother prevented
her from expressing herself, and she conclu-
ded-shad forsaken us too
Struck with the beauty and naiue OF the
girl, INV wife had not observed the look that
arrested her expression. had, and deter
mined to fathom the painful secret, for such
it appeared to be the woman, whose eyes
filled with tears as the girl was about to dis
close it. | concluded, however, to let it rest
ill some other time, and accordingly leaving
nv wife there, and giving some direction as
to administering medicine, took my leave.
In about half an hour sent the carriage and
nv wife returned She told me she had
given the medicine to Mrs. Williams, and
had clothed the children. She had, also,
purchased some things at grocery, on her
way home, which she had orderei to be sent
to them as soon as possible.
sAnd hope,' she added, that they are
now more comfortable i
On the following morning again visited
them, and found them, as my wife had hoped,
much more comfortable, and Mrs. Williams
somewhat better. On leaving them. beck
oned to the little girl to follow me, and when
we had got down stairs, | asked her who she
alluded to on the preceding day. At first she
seemed to hesitate, but upon my promising |
not to let her mother know that she told me, !
she answered: