Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-18
Mts TIA my .
THE MERCHANTS WIDOW
BY ms. cARolINE NJ. sAwynR.
CHAPTER |

''Alas! the proud slow to feel
For outcass wreched and forlon
They pass the shiveing wretches by
They thrust the needy from their door,
And look want with stony eye:
Oh God! have mercy the pOOr!'
"a LITTLE charity, for Gods sakel my chill
dren are starving" fell on the ear, IN soft but
agonized accents, as | was, one wlntry evening"
Just at dark, thridding my way through one of
the crowded thoroughfares of New York My
course was instantly arrested by the voice of dis
tress, and, turning around, perceived that the
prayer had been uttered by female, who seem
ed shivering alike with cold and misery. Her
clean, but faded calico frock was thin and old,
and the scanty and threadbare shawl which en-
veloped her shoulders, seemed fitted for the tenn
perature of summer rather than for the keen and
biting cold of such wintry day. while the light
and unlined muslin bonnet which covered her
head, appeared intended more as strainer for
the searching wind, than for protection against
it.
She was addressing mild and benignant look-
ing gentleman, considerably advanced in years,
and as she wrung her ungIoved hands, which,
though purple with the cold, were yet small and
delcately formed saw that commiseration and
sympathy were at work in his bosom. He in
stantly put his hand in his pocket, and, drawing
forth dollar was about to present it to the
poor petitioner, when, seeming to recollect him
self, he checked the impulse; "No" said he, 81
do not doubt your worth or your necessity, but |
would rather go with you, and relieve your
wants at your own house. Tell me where you
live"
mot far from here" answered the poor wo-
man. sit is just around in Mott street, 1t is
wretched home, but come and see my poor
suffering children, and may God bless you for
your kindnessl"
They instantly started, and, as the woman
turned toward me, the sight of her young and
lovely countenance, down which the tears were
fast streaming so touched my heart, that, cold
and near night as it was, | could not forbear
following When arrived at her dwelling how
ever trusting that her kind-looking companion
would relieve her wants for that evening" deem
ed it most prudent to speed my way home, with
out entering, or even addressing her l there
fore carefully observed the number of the door,
that | might be able to find it the next day, and
fastened homeward
reached my domicil in safety, and was soon
seated in warm and comfortable apartment,
and by cheerful and well-hlled supper table
But as the Kissing urn poured forth its fragrant
contents, the image ofthlt poor mother, hungry
and fireless, and surrounded by her helpless and
starving children, rose up reproachfully before
me. l felt as if | had been selfish and unfeeling,
in trusting to the probability of her being reiev-
ed by another. To be sure, he whom she had
addressed and who had accompanied her to her
door, looked benevolent, and would most likely
supply her most immediate and pressing wants
but then there was possibility that he might
not do so. "What if some of her children
should really starve or what if one of them
should freeze to death this very night" The
thought was too dreadful to endure Something
at my heart told me had no right to eat, when
| knew others whom ] might have relieved were
dying for want of food, and laying down my
knife, | felt as if another mouthful would choke
me.
After retiring from the tea-table, l related the
circumstance to friend and proposed that he
should go with me, and carry a basket of food to
the poor woman that evening, He readily &C
coded to the proposal, and we were soon equip
ped for our walk, and armed with large basket,
well stored with different kinds of food, such as
thought would be most comfortable for the family
in their present suffering condition
The wind swept in freezing and fitful gusts
down the streets as we sailed forth, but wrap.
ping my cloak tightly about me, thought of be-
ing without food or fire on such wintry night
and faced the breeze without murmur at its
keenness We soon reached the miserably
dwelling to which we are bound, and, knocking
at the door, were after some hesitation babe TIC
come in. We entered low and dilapidated
apartment, which was occupied by the woman
had seen in the street, and three small children
the two eldest Of whom were busted in devourine
the remnants of loaf Of bread while the mother
sat rocking the youngest in her arms. | saw
that charity had been there before me, for
small fire was burning on the hearth, TOWARD
which the children occasionally held out thei
hands, with look of satisfaction and happiness
"hloH Iolu llole Pldlllly thdl words that Ihe.
knew what it was to be deprived of its comfort.
"Do not disturb YOURSELF" said |, as the poo
woman was about rising at our entrance; "w
will wait on ourselves | saw you this afternoon
in the street, and heard your earnest appeal 70
charity, and could not rest until | had seen whetE
er you were provided for"
We seated ourselves by the fire, and sligt
flush passed over her pale and expressive cour
tenance, and tear glittered in her large, dar
eye, as she replied in one of the sweetest voice
ever heard, 'You are very kind, madam, an
may God bless you, and another also in whom
have found kindness and sympathy, when | wa
almost in despair. The gentleman to whom
made my appeal this afternoon, and which 20
must have heard, has sent me fuel and fooC