Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-25

MtsceTEG My.
THE MERCHANTS WIDOW.
BY MRS. CAROLINE NJ. SAWYER.
TceNCLUDED.l

went on, and easily OWNED the cause one day
came into my room as | was crying over my wash
tub, my fingers bleeding in twenty places, and KIND
ly offered to assist me, and to show me now 10 10
any kind of work with which | might be unac-
quaInted. Never did words fall more sweetly on
my earl She seemed like an angel sent from heav-
en- to nv relief! readily and gratefully accepted
her kind offer; and before she had been with me
one hour | had opened my whole heart, and told
her all my troubles. That day was able, for the
first time, to set before my husband we'll cooked
and paIatable dinner My meat was, to be sure,
of the cheapest quality, but good old Mrs. Morris
had contrived by her sklful management, TO make
an excellent dish; and never was | more pleased
than was to see the relish with which he partook
oft.
"From that day began to improve in my splr-
its, and in the management of my household at
fairs. Mrs, Morris who was an adept at all Kinds
of housework and seemed to know the best and
easiest way of doing everything, watched over and
directed my awkward efforts with all a mothers
care and tenderness, encouraging me when my
spirits were sinking, and lending ready hand
whenever she saw it was needed. Under Suld-
ance SO kind and efficient soon learned TO per-
form my work in less than half tho time it had
formerly taken, and to perlormit well. She taught
me how to repair my husbands and chlldrens
clothes, and to make the most OF small means. AS
| advanced in knowledge and experience, new
hope seemed to dawn upon me, and | began to
look forward with confidence to better times. But,
alas | was destined soon to learn that my mlSfor-
tunes were but just begun.
"My husband, who was the only clerk IN the
store in which he was engaged, was often obliged
to carry parcels for customers from one end of the
city to the other Long unused to the rgOrS of a
northern winter, and with constitution broken
and enerVated by protracted residence IN south
ern climate, he was quite unfitter for such SER
vice, particularly in the bad weather to which we
were that winter more than usually subject. On
one cold, damp day, when the melting show was,
at the crossings, nearly shoes, he was obllg-
ed to carry parcel for lady who resided more
than two miles from the store. He had been for
two or three days more than usually unwcll, and
his boots, unfortunately, admitting the water, he
was seized with violent cold, which terminated
in an inflammation of the lungs. After long s,rug-
gle, apparently between life and death, he at length
partially recovered. But an obstinate hollow
cough and hectic flush OH his sunken cheeks,
plainly indicated to those who were more familiar
with the disease than |, that he was in the frs
stage of consumption. Eager, however, to re-
place if possible, the sums expended during his
illness, he returned to his business with renewed
zeal; and |, strangely blind as | was to the fata
indications of disease which were but too visible
to others, was again filled with hope and happ
ness.
Two or three months went by spring came
the time of buds and blossoms-and it became APP
parent, even to my unpracSed eye, that the healtf
Of my husband was fast declining. The hollow
coug Oh had become more frequent and more VIC
lent, the hectic had deepened on his sunken cheek
and his dark blue eye wore Il startling and unnat
ural brightness. could not but see that his res
piraton was quick and aboie and that his once
elastic step was now feeble and latering was
as it were in moment thoroughly awakened tt
his danger, and in the utmost alarm, urged anl
entreated him to relnqush his business, if it wer
but for week and instantly seek medical advice
He yielded to my entreaties so far as to apply to
physician; but no arguments or prayers could pre-
vail upon him to absent himself from his employ
ment even for one day.
"'My children and my wife must have bread!
he would exclailn; and cannot afford time to be
sick! Besides, do not consider it necessary tt
lay by, for apprehend no real danger: the unta
vorabe symptoms which so alarm you-this cougi
which, | acknowledge, is rather troublesome, ant
this temporary debility, are only the relic of my
fever and will all wear away as soon as warn
weather returns This cold, changabe climate
does not seem to agree with me as well as formeg
ly. But do not alarm yourself, my dear wife
summer will set me up aganF
tHalf deceived by his assurances, | ceased tt
oppose his continued attention to business; ant
resoIutely shutting my eyes to the reality that h
was every day becoming weaker aud weaker,
looked forward with impatient longing to the ap
pearence of summer, which vainIy tancied wa
to prove an elixir OF HE 10 inc poor lnFdllu.
'i|The wshed-for season at length came, bur
alas, it brought no healing on its wings. Instead
of gaining health and strength beneath its balm.
influence Henry seemed Fastening with redoublet
ranidity to the grave Hope died away in ny
heart, and after again vainly endeavorng to in
duce him to remain at home wheu he could scarce
ly drag himself to the store, went myself to hi
employer, and entreated his assistance in pursuad
ing my husband to give up labor, and enieavor t.
regain his health. He was charitable, benevo
lent man, and though doing but meagre business
he performed a deed of kindness and generosity
which shall never forget He not only persuad
ed him to give up business, but, although the yea
for which he had engaged with him yet iacke
more than three months of its expiration, he actu
ally insisted on paying him for the whole period
Henry at first resolueIy declined the generous of
fer, but the absolute want viii III was staring us i
the face, and the continued entreaes of his kin
employer, at length overcame his scruples, and h
yielded.
ssRest aud careful nursing, seemed for Will
to realize our hopes, and Henry for a few DAYS APP
peafed better. But it was only deusive amend
ment and he was soon unable to leave his bed 70
more than an hour or two day Our none
meanwhile was rapidly fading away, and it be
came imperously necessary that we should see
n cheaper tenement than the one we then occupied
After much searching, found this one in which
now reside. 1t was miserable place compare
itate long, and giving up the pleasant dwellin
where we had promised ourselves so much quit
enjoyment, and bidding fearful adicu to kin
Mrs. Morris, who had for months been our goo
angel, we removed here. Henry had not see
this place until he was brought here, and it seen
ed as if its comfortless, desoate appearance struc
blight to his heart.
"''This is a sad contrast Emily he exclaime
ito your youthful home, and to the home you hi
right to expect with me. But it will do for n
the little while have to live, and | shall new
leave it till am borne away to my last earth
- dwelling
-.... 81 would have combatted this mournful sent
. ment, but when tried to speak, the words di
away upon my lips, for there was an expressiC
q in his eye which carried fearful conviction of
truth to my heart. Yet endeavored to cheer h
sinking spirits, although the load upon my ow
o., well nigh weighed me to the earth. What W
to become of US when the prop which had so lo
supported US was removed, dared not trust m
selfto think. Already saw myself d help Ie
L. ad l,xth IL lo NM