The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1843-11-17

lie e6tcfcu HUE Tooil III WHICH, nc tou'N
see nothing but few implements, of fs-
male labor--a miserable table, an old bu-
reau, and little bed which stood n one
corner. on which the invalid lay. She
appeared weak and almost exhausted; and
on the bed at her feet, sat little boy, cry
inc as if his heart would break
Deeply moved at this sight, the siran-
ger drew near the bedside of the Invalid,
and feignlng to be a physician inquired
into the nature of her disease. The symp-
toms were explained in few words,
when the widow, with deep sigh, adj
ded, 20, sir, my sickness has deeper
cause. and one which is beyond the art OF
physician to cure. | am mother-a
wretched mother. | see my children
sinking daily deeper and deeper in want,
which | have no means of relieving, My
sickness is of the heart, and death can
alone end my sorrows; but even death is
dreadful to me, for it awakens the thought
of the misery into which my children
would be plunged if Here emo
ton checked her ulterance, and the tears
flowed unres,rained down her cheeks.
Bnt the pretended physician spoke so
consoling to her, and manifested so warm
sympathy for her condition, that the
heart of the poor woman throbbed with a
pleasure that was unwonted.
DO not despair said the benevolent
stranger, think only of recovery and OF
preserving a life that is so precious to
your children. Can write prescription
! here ?
The poor widow took little prayer
book from the hands of the child who sat
with her on the bed, and tearing out
blank leaf, 4 have no other paper sad
she. .but perhaps this will do.
The stranger took a pencil from his
pocket, and wrote a few lines upon the
paper. -
This prescription said he. you will
find of great service to you. II II Is ne
cessarv Twill write you a second. | have
great hopes of your recovery
He laid The paper on the table and went
away.
Scarcely was he gone when the elder
son returned.
Cheer up, dear mother said he, going
to her bedside and afectionately kissing
her. See wha, a kind, benevolent siran
ger has given us. Ii will make us rich io'
several DAYS. 1t has enabled us to have ;
physician, and he will be here in mo
ment. Compose yourself now, dear mo-
Their, and take courage
Come nearer my SON answered th'
mother, looking with pride and affection
on her child Come nearer, that ma,
bless you. God never forsakes the IN
nocrur and the good 0, may he sIlI
watch over YOU in all your paths :
physician has Just been here. lie was
) stranger. but he spoke to me with kind
4 ness and compassion that were a bali
S 10 my heart. When he wen, he left ih'
: prescription on the table; see II You ca
! read it,.
! Henry glanced at the paper and sIarie
! back-he took it up, and as he read
. through, again and again, cry ol wond'
= and establishment escaped him.
= What is it, my SOM exclaimed III
d poor widow, trembling with an apprehe'
q sion she knew not what.
u .Ah, read, dear mother. God has heat
Is us
e The mother took the paper from Il
r hands of her son, but no sooner had 81
II fixed her eyes upon it, than my God
re she exclaimed, lit is Washington al
y fell back ran,ing upon her pillow.
I'd The writing was an obligation fro
It. Washington, Tor it was indeed he,)
al which the widow was to receive the su
ut of one hundred dollars, from his own p
- va,e property, to be doubled in case OF
'' cessily.
We Meanwhile the expected physician ms
his appearance and soon awoke the mo
- er from her faintlng fit, The joyful s
" PRISE, together with good nurse
which the physician provided her, am
~, plenty of wholesome food, soon resio
r,r her to perfect health.
The influence of Washington, who
et tied them more than once, provided
am the widow friends who furnished her W
left consan, and profitable employment
-.. her sons, when they had arrived at
proper age, they placed in respectable
lv ua,ions, where they were able to SUPP
~ themselves, and render the remainder
adj their mothers life comfortable and /
ny,
me Let children who read this story,
are member, when they think of the great
edit good Washington, that he was not at