The Whig standard., 1843-12-20
A SKETCH.

I ~ was y WlulcI ulSut, duu the Win WNlStlCu
through the crevices in the walls of the misera-5
bic hovel, and almost froze the blood in the veins
Of its inmates. The fire had gone out upon the
hearth; the feeble dying light of a lamp alone
served to make visible the scene of wretchedness
within those walls. On straw mattrass, drawn
as near as possible to the opening that had once
emitted warmth, but now only served as recep-s
ticle for the sleel and snow that already lay piled
within it, were three children not sleeping-lhry
were too cOd 10 slsep-,heS eldes,, a girl Of
twelve years, clasping - her bosom the other
two. Upona similar bed was woman with q
face, even paler and thinner, more pinched with
hunger, than The children. " ill not mother
slarve 10 order to give food to her little ones
She was sick the unnatural FIRE of fever was
burning in her veins, while her llmbs shook with
intense cold She suffered much, but her thoughts
were with her children. She heard every sigh
that heaved their breasts, and every tear they
shed fell like burning lead upon her heart. 20,
FANNY said fpeAie voice, a my feet are freez-
ing, they are s,af now.A The mother heard the
words; and, as quick as thought, she exclaimed.
I Here, Fanny, take this shawl and wrap around
Georges feet :. No, no, mother" replied the
girl, .'that is all you have TO cover you, beside
tour gown. I will warm Georges feet She
drew the child closer. and threw her thin limbs
over him. For while there was silence in
the hovel-then steps were heard the door open-
ed, and a man entered. 1t was the husband
the father! Did he kiss the pale lips Of those
sufferers, think you, and weep because he could
not comfort them |? No. oh no; he came from
scenes Of revelry. The money that should have
purchased bread and fuelfor his famishing fami-
", he had given for poison which he drank and
forgot that he was man.. He threw himself
beside the sick woman, and soon was he wrap
ped in the Inconsistencies Of sleep
\ *w~* ~ n m
1t was night-cold, dark, and stormy. The
wind whistled and moaned like some destructive
demon, as it bore upon its mighty wings the de-
scending snow flakes to blind and bewilder the
benighted traveller. It was fearful night for
such as had no shelter for their heads, and but
scanty covering for their bodies. But the wind
howed, and the snow fell unheded by the little
group gathered around a blazing FIRE, within the
comfortable cottage. On one side of the ample
hearth were three children. The eldest a girl
Of fourteen, fair and bright. and happy looking,
and two boys Of eight and six, we'll fed, roguish
urchins, black eyes sparkling with fun and good
humor. On the other side were man and wo-
man, the latter delicate but contented looking
being, the former strong and robust. 1t was q
pleasant scene thus presented to the ieye.anagx2
NV little readers do you recognise in this cheer
full group the miserable beings Of former scene
Would you believe that suffering had ever kept
those laughing eyes unclosed Yes, they are
the same and that man, who, hardened by vice.
could behold the wretchedness of his family un-
moved, is now tender husband, a loving and
beloved father Would you know how so great
a change was wrought Look at that gill !!
what do you read in her facea Affection, kind
ness, spirit gentle and true, and devoted more
than that--there is faith stamped on every line
ament--faith in God, that he would not forsake
his children who put their trust in him. eis
She knew this, she felt il in the depth Of her
heart, and her patience never torsook her, and
She never ceased to pray. She was the guardi-
an angel of that household--the comforter, sooih-
er, nurse, and finally the means, under God. of
her fa,hers reformation Famine and cold are
Abanished from that cottage; plenty and content,
and cheerful JOY reign in their stead. and love,
only such as she can receive, is the reward of
that devoted girl. sCi 9af4a Ana esA8sY1A i3
+ A BEATIFuL THoUGHT.--We find the following
beautiful thought in the corner OF an obscure
country paper. W hose is it2ge38 Bifs
when the thunder rolls, drowned men, in all