Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-05
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1914.

room in which he could see nothing but few i'm
plements Of female labor-a miserable table, an
old bureau, and little bed which stood in one cor
ner, on which the invalid lay. She appeared weak,
and almost exhausted-and on the bed at her feet
sat little boy crying as if his heart would break
Deeply moved at this sight, the stranger drew
near the bedside of the invalid, and fegnnr to be
physician inquired into the nature of her disease.
The symptoms were explained in few words,
when the widow, with deep sigh, added 60, my
sickness has deeper cause, and one which is be-
You'd the art of the 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 alone can 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 emotion checked
her utterance, and the tears flowed unrestained
down her cheeks. But the pretended physician
spoke so consoingly to her, and manifested so
warm sympathy for her condition., that the heart
of the poor woman throbbed with a pleasure I'M
wonted.
Do not despair" said the stranger, "thnt only
OF recovery, and of preservinga life that is so pre-
cious to your children. Can write prescription
here?"
The poor widow took little prayer-book from
the hands of a child who sat with her on the bed,
and tearing out a blank leaf 81 have no other"
oulu SIc, Jul IcIudpS lllS VIII 40.
The stranger took pencil from his pocket. and
wrote few lines upon the paper.
This prescription" said he, "you will find of
great service to you. If it is necessary will write
you second. have great hopes of your recove-
ry."
He laid the paper on the table and departed
Scarcely was he gone, when the elder son returned.
"Cheer up, dear MOTHER" said he, going to her
bedside, and atfectonately kissing her "See
what kind, benevolent stranger has given us. 1t
will make us rich for several days. 1t has enabled
US to have physician, and he will be here in q
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 neve,
forsakes the innocent and good. o may he watcl
over you in all your paths A physician has jus
been here. He was stranger, but he spoke t
me with compassion, and kindness that were ;
balm in my heart When he went away, he lief
that prescription on the table, see if you can reat
it."
Henry glanced at the paper, and started back
he took it up, and as he read it through again anC
again, cry Of wonder and establishment escaped
him.
"What is it. my ?" exclaimed the poor wild
ow, 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 hands of he
son, but no sooner had she fixed her eyes upon
thai" my God ~ she exclaimed, L" it is Washington,
and fell back faintng upon her pillow.
The writing was an obligation from washington
for it was indeed he, by which the widow was
receive the sum of one hundred dollars, from hi
own private property, to be doubled in case of ne
cesslty.
Meanwhile, the expected physician made his al
! pearance, and soon awoke the mother from he
fanting fit. The joyful surprise, together with
! good nurse, with which the physician provided he
and plenty of wholesome food, soon restored he
to perfect health.
The influence of Washington, who visited ther
more than once. provided for the widow, friend
! furnished her with constant empoyment and He
sons, when they arrived at the proper age, wer
placed in respectable situations, where they wei
able to support themselves, and render the remair
der of their mothers life comfortable and happy
Let the children who read this story, remember
when they think of the great, and good Washing
ton, that he was not above entering the dwellin
of poverty, and carrying joy and gladness to II
hearts Of its inmates. This is no fictitious tal
but is only one of the thousand incidents whic
might be related of him. and which stamp him OF
| Of the best of men.