Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-09
CHAPTER IT,

| ed to visit sick person residing in a narrow
and secluded street, at some distance from his
dwelling. She was poor, childless widow oc-
cupying garnet bed room, in a miserable ten
ement, without relatives and without frends-
Chance had led her few times to the church
over which Mr.. Grant presided as pastor, and
sick and destitute, she now begged his sympathy
and relief Ever ready to heed the call OF the
needy and distressed, he obeyed the summons OF
the poor widow and after remaining sometime
with her, and comforting her aged heart not on
ly with kind words, but kind deeds also, he took
leave of her and departed, leaving her the hap
pier and more Cheerful for his visit.
As he was passing down the narrow staircase,
he heard low stifed sobbing, which proceeded
\ from a room on the second floor, the door of
which was slightly ajar. He paused few mo-
ments uncertain whether to enter or pass on,
but continuation of the same sounds of dis
tress at length decided him, and opening the
door he stepped into the room,
A woman considerably advanced in years. and
seemingly overwhelmed with grief, was seated on
E low bed, on which lay young girl, about 10
years of age, and Of delicacy and sweetness of
countenance not often seen. Her long, fair hair
was parted over broad, smooth forehead, and,
Terminating in soft ringlets hung carelessIy over
the pillow. There was a bright spot on either
cheek, and a restlessness in her dark blue eye,
which betokened pain and suffering She was
apparently laboring under some paralytic affec-
ton, for as she attempted to raise her hand to
lhor had - ebCOly tiOlnn+lx and col pOtUnrlacs
by her side, while sharp spasm- for moment
contracted one side of her face. In one corner
of the room sat an old gentleman, in the discon-
ISOLATE attitude of utter dependency, his elbows
resting on his knees, his face buried in his
hands, and his long, gray locks hanging, dark and
matted, down his cheeks. On low stool by
his side, his little hands resting on the old man:
, knees, sat a pale faced boy, apparently about
four years of age, who was gazing earnestly anC
silently toward the sick girl, while his little liz
quivered, as if with suppressed emotion and hi
large, black eyes were trimming with tears.
The entrance of their vister was unobserved
, and he stood for a few minutes, sympathlzing
y spectator of the sorrowfI scene.
= Do not grieve so, dear mother" after long
= and tender gaze at her weeping parent, the sicl
girl, in a soft, sweet voice, at length exclaimed
. " am sure am better than was. My limb
It do not trembe so violently, and feel mucl
stronger, l shall soon be able to return to M
employment again, and then we shall all be com
- Portable and happy again"
= A fresh burst of tears, and mournful shak
= of the head, were the mothers only reply.
Mr.. Grant now advanced toward the bedside
= and as the mother turned her face toward HIM
: he instantly recognized in her one of the friend
p less mourners of the lonely burial. She wa
- somewhat surprised at the sudden appearance {
stranger in her apartment, but received hir
" without embarrassment, and with a courteous
~ thoughhomely civility, requested him to be sea
10 3D. .....,.
10 Her address aroused the old man from his de
spending attitude, and as he, too, arose to recey
=, the stranger, Mr.. Grant was at no loss to dcntif
y him also. But, though unchanged in other re
~ spects, he saw that his countenance had lost tn
~ rigidity and sternness which had characterize
- it on the mournful occasion when he had fir
- beheld him. Hopeless and unresisted sorro
T.. l. seemed now its predominant expression, and h
- looked at Mr.. Grant, as if thinking it scarcel
:, possible that his visit could be one Of kindness
=, Excuse my intrusion, sir" said Mr.. Gran
y Fastening to reply to the old mans look, "but
~ was passing your door, heard sounds Of d
- tress proceeding from the room, and thnkin
:. that perhaps some assistance might be needed,
-. entered to proffer my services am clergy
man, and you need not fear accepting them"
"Servlces" exclaimed the old man, with
l. bitter smile, " We are poor, and have no none
g to pay you for services. And [ have been lor
~ enough in this country to learn that they are ne
~ er rendered without the expectation of pay N
sir, thank you, but we cannot afford to recei,
:" any services" and with another bitter smile /
~ returned to his seat in the corner of the room
~ and again buried his face in his hands.
-, " You must have been very unfortunate" sa
ID Mr. Grant, following the old man to his seat, C
y you have had reason to come to this conclusio
~, Nevertheless, beg you to believe that prof
~ my assistance in sincerity, and without the hoI
IS of reward, and whatever services you may nee
;of that are within the range of my ability they sh;
" be cheerfully rendered"
10 The old man again looked up to the face
- Mr.. Grant, but with puzzled and doubtful e
~, preston, as if not more than half believing Il
H., words that met his ear.
~ "You will pardon one, whom misfortune h
,rS3 rendered almost desperate, if he is ineensbe
NV your kindness" said the poor woman, who W
~ now at his side " But we have been so lor
strangers to anything like kindness, that it seer
,st hardly reality when it is offered us. You a
10 the first one whom we have heard breathe
No.. language since we landed On the American sho
IT, but oh, how bitterly have we often felt
" needr
od What country are you fromp inquired N
- Grant
Of I'VE are from Scotland; and would to God
it had never been our evil fortune to leave Il
no country" she replied, the tears again roll
ass down her cheeks. There we were blessed vi