Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-05-20

very cold. The wind swept round To
the nrolh east towards evening, and
brought heavy snow. storm. that lh'nned
the streets Of passengers. After an ear
ly tea, heyoUng teacher, with two dol
lars in her pocket, one received from he
principal of The school, and the other her
own contribution, sci forth on the errand
ol mercy she had proposed To herself,
which was To Obtain, from such persons
as she knew, and felt free to cull upon, y
sum suilicien, to pay the poor widows
reht. One or two upon whom she call
ed, decllued giving any ihing-saying
,bat IL the woman were not able to pay
her rent, she had better 60, with her
children, to the aims house, where she
aud they would be well taken care of. -
They disapproved, from principle, of
private charl,ies-il did more harm than
good Others gave her small sums, such
as n quarter aud half dollars-and one
poor widow put in dollar from her lit
lie store. Those who were most able
gave the least. II was past nine o'clock
be fore the sum needed was made up.
With a light heart, the noble minded
young girl started for The humble abode
Of the distressed widow. On her way
,hilher, bending in the fierce gusts Of
wind aud snow, she passed the splendid
dwelling Of Benedict Percival, Esq, the
benevolent merchant. lie sat, in his
luxurious parlor, with his family around
him, musng upon the act that had for
some days engrossed most OF his thong hts,
more than half-inclined to think that the
public did no, fully appreciate what he
had done, and in on incipient state Of
repentance for having thrown such a
large sun Of money away, when thou
sand dollars would have done just as
well-Wh'le the young girl hurried by
in the storm, her heart already receiving
the rich reward that true benevoleace is
sure to bring--a reward incomparably
greater than what comes as the result ol
deeds Of charity, no matter how munlii.
cent, done for the praise Of men.
Usually, Charles retired earl but
this evening he sat up, hopefully await
ing the coming Of his teacher. Since
seven o'clock, he had eagerly listened
to The sound Of every approaching foot
step, and often had his young heart
grown almost sick with disappointment
Hadn't you better 60 to bed, Charles
said his mother, long be fore nine o'clock.
1t is too stormy night for your teacher
to come out. | am sure she will not be
here
oh, yes she will know she will
come replied the boy. And thus he
answered, every time his mother urged
him to 90 TO bed.
Time had stolen on, until it was near
ten O'clock. The wind roared without,
and the snow rushed against the win
dows. The widow looked up from her
work, and was about repeating her re-
quest that Charles would 60 to bed, when
she observed that he had fallen asleep in
his chair. Her heart was touched as she
looked at the unconscious boy, and thot
of the share in her troubles that he had
voluntarily assumed. While her eyes
still rested upon him, there came low
rap at the door. On opening it a young
and slender girl stepped in few PAGES,
saying as she did So
Il promised your little boy that would
call and see you tonight. | thought to
have been here earlier, but couldn't ge,
round sooner. Heaven has sent you,
me, enough to pay your rent to-
morrow. Here it is She handed the
widow small package of money. 1T
comes from those who have hearts to
feel for others
Then partly turning away, and before
the woman had time to say any thing
she added
1T is late, and must hurry home.-
Mother will be uneasy at my staying so
long away. Good night Charles,
see, has fallen asleep, but he will know
have been here. Good night !!
And ere the widow could utter word
of thanks, she was away.
That night, Mr. Benedict Percival
lay awake for hours, unable to sleep for
thinking Of the error he had doubtless
committed, in giving five thousand dol
lars for the benefit of those who had suf-
lered by the fire, when one thousand
would have told quite as well upon the
public. Moth and rust were already be-
ginning to corrupt the treasure he had
laid up On the earth.
The head of the young teacher had
not pressed its pillow long, before all her
senses were locked in gentle slumber.
Sweet dreams accompanied her through
The night, and when the sun smiled in at
her windows in the morning, she blessed
the day and was happy. She had laid
up treasure in Heaven
When We rcad of tie death or ghnsly
wounds Of 200 Americans at Buena Vista,
and of 500 more AT Cerro Gordo, by the ar.
mes of Santa Annn, we cannot suppress
feeling OF Indignation at the bupder headed