Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-17

was the mother Of two children. One Of them
Is still living, the other died early. Mr.. Wing
was consumptive, and left Mary widow short
ly after the birth Of her second child.
Poor Mrs. Wing was disconsolate Twice
every day she wept over the grave of her de-
parted husband, for she had loved him devoted
ly. But time, the great healer where the
heart hath bled,' did not fail to bring balm to
the soul Of the young widow. Soon she was
seen to visi. the graveyard with more cheer
full air, and to gaze without tear on the beau
bful white tombstone she had erected to the
memory of the late Mr.. Wing. In year she
was quite as cheerful, and nearly as beautiful,
as on the day when she was married. 1t was
soon rumored that doctor, named Calcraft,
who was the medical attendant of the late Mr..
Wing, was attentive to the young widow. He
made many calls at her house, II is certain,
which was not altogether in the way Of his
profession. To be brief, the desconsolate wild.
ow, in the course of two years, consented to
dry her tears, and become the second time a
BRIDE
Mrs. Calcraft thought she loved the doctor
as well as she lovedth attorney, and everybody
said she made him an excellent wife. The
happy pair was blessed with a daughter, some
three years after her marriage; and they were
very happy.
One day, the doctor assisted in the post-,nor-
tenn examination of man who died of some
mysterious disease. On arriving home, late in
the evening, he found his affectionate spouse
sitting by cheerful fire, and awaiting his re-
turn. Contrary to his custom, he scarcely
smiled as he entered, and his brow was gloomy.
Something seemed to trouble him but he said
nothing to Mary until the morning, after he
had passed sleepless night. Then he showed
her one of his fingers, which was much swol-
len, and told her that he supposed he had prick
ed it during the examination of the corpse,
in which, he said, he thought modification had
taken place.
1t has panied me all night, he said. If the
poison goes up my arm, am dead man. 1
have but one chance for my life. Tell James
tn bring the axe.
James brought the axe. The doctor sent
away his terrified wife, and was alone. Then
he placed his poisoned finger upon block, and
with one blow of the axe, severed it from his
hand. But it was too late. The amputation
of his arm could only have saved him, for the
virus had affected that already. The doctor
died in three days; and Mary was once more
disconsolate widow.
For time Mary was unhappy. Nothing
could make her forget her loss. But she was
a christian, and when the minister, Mr.. Har-
wood, came to visit her, and offer her consola-
tion, she appeared more resigned. She is sup
posed, about this time, to have become very pi-
Gus, for henceforth, she said, her life should be
devoted to doing good She went about visit
ing the distressed, and offering relief to the
poor, greatly encouraged in her new work, no
doubt, by the pious Mr.. Harwood, who might
often have been seen at her house. No one
can deny the fact, that Mrs. CaIcraft derived
great assistance from the reverend gentleman
for she seemed TO have been convinced, about
this time, that she could do nothing without
him. Good works, like matters of business,
require cooperation and partnership, to insure
success. Mary thought so. The clergyman
appeared to be Of the came opinion. Accord
ingly, in the course of two or three years,
Mrs. Calcraft exchanged her mourning for
wedding garment, her tears for smiles, and be-
came Mrs. Harwood.
Mary loved the preacher no less than she
had loved the attorney and the doctor. He
made her good husband, and she made him
a good wife, A son was the fruit of their un-
ion.
Now Mr.. Harwood, although he had pc
culiar care respecting the better world to which
we all hope to 60, and never forgot his spiritu-
al interests, was remarkable for his neglect of
the things of this world, and his carelessness
concerning mere temporal welfare. He gave
away all he had, together with all the widow
Of two husbands had saved for him out of the
wreck of her previous fortunes. In five years,
the amiable pair had nothing to live upon ex-
cept his income, which was notably SMALL
Hence, when, with his customary carelessness,
he one day permitted an angry horse, which
dishonest jockey had sold him, to plant two iron
calks in his temple, fracturing his skull-he
left widow altogether destitute, as well as
Mrs. Harwood could not bear the thought
of living on charity, and seeing her children
want. Consequently, when Mr.. Bridges, a
wealthy merchant, made her an offer Of his
hand and heart and fortune, she deemed it her
duty to accept those articles, if for the sake Of
her children alone. She was, accordingly,
married, and was once more happy. 1t seem
ed that nothing would conquer the natural cheer
fulness Of her disposition-that no clouds could
permanently obscure the sunshine Of her heart.
With three husbands under the sod, she was
happy in the one over it. She had by Mr..
Bridges, three children, two of whom are now
living.
But last summer the cholera visited our town,
committing frightful ravages. One Of the ear
liest victims was Mr.. Bridges. Poor Mary
it seemed that she could not survive the shock.
But she thought it duty to live for her chill
dren, and became reconciled to the will Of Prov
idence.
But now, Mrs. Bridges had departed this
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