Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-04-18
MISCELLANY.
THE WIDOW.
a T4uF TALE.

AZ was Dttter night Il he snow mad been
falling in feecy flights during the great por
ton of the day. and the cold was SO intense
that little business of anHkind had been
prosecuted BY the industrious and enterPri
sing citizens of the village Night had sue
eeeded day. The snow and slcet were still
descending and the spirit of the storm seem
ed TO howl around the house, and through
the fields and orchards and forests, among
the distant mountains
Mr. Rowland had returned from his coun.
ting house at an earlier hour than usual
Supper had been served, and the fsmily had
gathered around the sparkling fire The
children had been put to bed III an adjoining
apartment, and the infant was sleeping in the
cradle under the immediate notice Of It's
mother Mr. Rowland was reading news.
paper, and as the ftful blast noaned around
his commodious dwelling be would make
weather. Mrs Rowland was parting the
faxen curls upon the head Of the sleeping
babe; and occasionally she imprimted. the
dy check 'ssss4pn upor y
Suddenly some one raped st tho door
It was opened, when a little girl, about
years of age, was admitted. Her scanty
dress was tattered and torn q ragged quilt
thrown around her shoulders and a pair of
miserable old shoes upon her feet. She was
almost frozen.
I You are tile widow Watkins daughter
said Mrs Rowland inquiringIy
The little girl answered III theafhrmatiye,
ard added that her ma was sick. and wished
Mr. Rowland to step over and see her, for
she though: she would surrey die.
Mr. Rowland owned the place on which
the sick woman resided Shewas very indi
gent, and Ldt poorly able to paJ the extrav:
agant rent which the unfeeling owner exact
ed. The property was opee! her husbands,
or rather her own being gift from her
father on her wedding Mr.. Watkins was
wealthy when q young man, and educated
for the bar, and no one seemed more likely
10 be successful in his profession He aud
Mr. Rowland were early associates The
latter, few years before the period at which
We now find him. had commenced the nefa-
rious and eontcmptible traffic in ardent spi-
rits-had grown rich--had induced Watkins
to drink-made him drunk, and, by degrees,
dru1akard; and when the poor, besotted
victim was unable to pay his debts. contract
ca for rum. aud partly by neglecting his pro-
fessional duties, his former associate, his pre-
tended friend, his destroyer was the first to
decry and Cypress him His herses and OK
en- were sold BY the sheriff; next his house
hold and kitchen furniture were seized = and
finally a mortgage was given Ito Rowland
upon the homestead Of the drunEard, TO Sc
cure the rum deTler in the payment OF .
pitiful balance in his favor
This calamity did not check the prodigal
career Of the inebriate He still quatted the
LIQUID poison. and still did the heartless deal
| or hold out inducements to prevail upon him
/ 10 sink lower into wretchedncss and shame
| a fewfweeks after, he was one morning found
dead in the street He had left the grocery
| at avery late hour the preceding night, IN q
| state of intoxication The night was dark
/ and he probably missed his way, fell into q
| gutter. found himself unable to get out, and
I being stunfed with rum, be went to sieeT
and froze to death.
/ Rowland. in short time, foreclosed The
mortgage, and the home Of the drunkard';
wife became the legal property Of the man
who had destroyed her peace. and reduced
her to beggary aud want Hepermitted he'
| to remain on the premises, exacting an ex
travagant rate Of rent Mental anguish
excessive labor, want Of proper nourishment
| and exposure, had we'll nigh worn her out
and she was fast sinking into the grave, wher'
the weary are At rest No one had beef
near her-no one seemed 70 care for ner
ID fact il was not known even to her neares
neiehbors that she was sick
Mr.. Rowland felt anxious only for hi
trent, there being at that time > small sun
due. And perhaps it is owing 70 that cl1
Rcumstance that he 50 readily consented
company the little girl 10 the room
sick mother He drew on bis overcoa
WOODEN comfort round his neck drew
his gloves. and taking his umbrella. set
through the drifting snew and slcet
bent his way to the widows uncomf0
home.
He found her lying on miserab
straw, with her head slightly elsy
only chair belonging 10 the hou
placed under her pillow, aud evident
the house Of dissolution Mr. RowlA
ing seated on rude wooden stool, Sd
Il feeble but decided tone Of vcias
II have sent for You sir 10 pay
that may make you the heir e
/ know yoa are ready to ask v
have % bsqusash: And veil =