Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-09-01

death is dreadful to me, for it awakens the
thought of the misery into which my chill
dren would be plunged il" Here emo
ton choked her utterance, and the tears
flowed unrestrained down her checks. But
the pretended physician spoke'so cosolingly
TO her, and manifested so warm a sympathy
for her condition, that the heart of the poor
woman throbbed with pleasure that was
unwonted.
"Do not despair" said the benevolent
stranger, "think only ofrecovery and ofpre-
serving life that is so precious TO your
children. Can | write prescription here y
The poor widow took a little prayer book
from the hand of the child who sat with her
on the bed, and tearing out blank leaf
81 have no other paper" said she, "but
perhaps this will do"
The stranger took pencil from his pock-
ct, and wrote few lines upon the paper.
"This prescription" said he, "you will
find Of great service TO you. If it is neces-
sary, will 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 afiectionately kissing her.
-"See what kind, benevolent stranger has
given us. 1t will make us rich for several
days. 1t has enabled us to have physi-
cian and he will be here in moment. -
Compose yourself, now, dear mother and
take courage"
"Come nearer, my son." answered the
mother, looking with pride and affection on
her child. Come nearer, that | may bless
YOU. God never lorsakes the innocent and
the good. o may he still watch over you
in all your paths A physician has just
been here. lie was a stranger, but he spake
to me with kindness and a compassion
that were balm to my heart. When he
went away he left that prescription on the
table; see if you can read it,"
Henry glanced at the paper and started
back--he took it up and as he read through,
again and again, cry Of wonder and as
constituent escaped him.
"What is it, my son Z" exclaimed the poor
widow, trembling with an apprehension Of
she knew not what
"Ah, read, dear mother God has heard
u.s.
The mother took the paper from the hand
Of her son, but no sooner had she fixed her
eyes upon it, than "My God p she exclaim-
ed, at is Washington !" and fell back, faint
ing upon her pillow
The writing was an obligation from
Washington, (for it was indeed he,) by
which the widow was TO receive the sum of
one hundred dollars, from his own private
property, to be doubled in case Of necessity.
Meanwhile the expected physician made
his appearance, and soon awoke the mother
from her faintng fit The joyful surprise,
together with good nurse with which the
physician provided her, and a plenty of
wholesome food, soon restord her to perfect
health
The influence of Washington, who visited
them more than once, provided for the wild
ow friends who furnished her with constant
and profitable employment; and her sons,
when they had arrived at the proper age,
they placed in respectable situations, where
they were able not only TO support them
selves, but to render the remainder Of their
mothers life comfortable and happy.
Let the children who read this story, re-
member, when they think of the great and
good Washington, that he was not above
entering the dwelling of poverty, and car
rying Joy and gladness to the hearts Of its
inmates. This is no fictitious tale, but is on
ly one of thousand incidents which might
be related of him, and which stamp him one
of the best of men.
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