Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-12-28
MtsrfIIanFo us.
THE HELPLESS wIDoW


IT must be so, my childi" said ihe
poor widow, wiping away thestears which
slowly trickled down her wasted cheeks
There is no other resource. am zoo
sick to work, and you cannot, surely, sac
me and your little brother starye. Try
and beg few sifillings, and perhaps by
the time that is gone, may be better.--
Go, Henry. my dear; grieve 70 send
you on such an erand, but il must b.
DONE"
The boy, a noble looking little fellow o
about ten years. started up, and throwing
bis arms about bis mothers neck
left the house without a word. He die
not hear the groan Of anguish that wa
uttered by his parent as the door closed
behind him; and il was well Thar be did
not. for bis little heart was ready 10 break
without it.
II was bye-street in Philadelphia and
as he walked 20 and fro on the sidewalk,
be looked FIRST at one person and then at
another, as they passed him, but not one
seemed 70 look kindly on him, and the
longer he waited, the faster bis courage
dwindled away, and the more difficult 1t
became 10 muster resolution 10 beg. The
tears were running fast down. his cheeks,
but nobody noticed them,r or if they did,
nobody seemed 10 care; forg although
clean. Henry looked poor and miserable,
and It is common for the poor and mise
rable to- cry! n
I--~ERery body seemed in a hurry. and the
poor boy Eat z4aite 10 despslF. en- AZ
last be espied gentleman who stesed To-
be very leisurely taking amorning walk.
He was dressed in black, wore three (.
cornered hat, and had face that was as
mild and benignanta as an angels. Some \
how, when Henry looked at him, he felt
all bis fear vanish at once, and instant1
ly approached him. His tears had been
flowing SO long, that bis eyes were quite
red and swollen, and bis voice trembled.
5ui that was with weakness, for he had
not eaten for twenty -four hours. As Hen
ry, with low, lettering voice, begged foE
a little charity. the gentleman stopped.
and his kind heart melted with compass
sion as be looked into the fair counten+
aDce Of the poor boy. and saw the deep
blush which spread all over bis face, and
listened 10 the modest, humble tones
which accompanied his petition.
You do not look like boy that hss
been accustomed 10 beg bis bread" said
be, kindly laying bis hand on the boy y
shoulder; "what has driven you 10 thi,
stepip
Indeed" answered Henry. bis tear.
beginning to flow afresh, indeed / wa.
not born 10 this condition. But the mis-
fortunes Of my father. and the sickness D
my mother. have driven me 10 the neces
sity now" III
"Who is your father" inquired Till
gentleman, still more interested.
my father was rich merchant of thi
city, but he became bondsman for friens
who soon after failed. and be was entire
lily ruined. He could not live after Till
loss. and 10 one month he died Of grief
/ and bis death was more dreadful than ana
other trouble. My mother, my lille bro
Their. and myself. soon sunk into The low
est depths Of poverty. Ny mother hAs
until now. managed to support herself aps
my little brother by her labor, and ] hav,
leaned what could by shovelling snog
and other work that could find 10 do. -
! Blu: night before last mother was iakeI
very sick, and she has since become s.
much worse that" here the tears pour
ed faster than ever-"I do fear she VIII
die. cannot think of any way in III,
world 10 help her. | have not had anl
work TO DO for several weeks. have 40
bad the courage 10 60 to any Of my mo
theirs old acqnaintances. and tell then
that she had come to need charity.
thought you looked like a stranger. I'll
and something ID your face oyercame pi
shame. and gave me courage TO speak 4
yon. Oh, sir, do pity my poor mother Y
The tears. and the simple and movinA
language OF The poor boy, touched
chord IN The breast Of the stranger ths
was accustomed to frequent vibrations.
where does your mother live, d,
boy !" said be ia husky voice. "
4 far from here r.
sShe lives ID The last house In Ahi
street, sir" replied Henry You Ell
see il from here, in tie third block, a.
on the left hand side" NE F
Have you sent for physician p i
''No. SIR" said The boy, sorrowlnll
shaking bis head II had money loEpa
neither for . physician nor for the med
cine"
/ eHere." said the stranger. drawn
some pieces Of silver from bis pctke
"here are three dollars. lake them an
irun Immediately for physician =
! Henry.5 eyes dashed with gratitude
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