Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-10-09
THE WIDOWS WILL.
ny REV. A. NJ. SCOTT.

greater portion OF the day, and the cold was
so intense that little business of any kind
had been prosecuted by the industrious and
cnterprising citizens of the villagc. Night
had succeeded day. The snow and slect
were still descending, and the spirit of the
storm seemed to howl around the house, and
through the fields and orchards and forests,
and among the distant mountains.
Mr.. Rowland had returned home from
his counting house at an earlier hour than
usual. Supper had been served, and the
family had gathered around the sparkling
fire. The children had been put 10 bed in
an adjoining apartment, and the infant was
sleeping in the cradle under the immediate
notice of its mother. Mr.. R. was reading
a newspaper, and as the fl .ful blast moaned
around his commodious dwelling he would
make some remarks relative 10 the severity
of the weather. Mrs. Il. was parting the
faxen curls upon the head Of the sleeping
babe, and occasionally she imprinted the
warm kiss of maternal affection upon its
ruddy cheek. NI
Suddenly scmc one raped al the door,
1t was opened, when little girl of about
seven years old was admitted. Her scanty
dress was tattered and torn, ragged guilt
thrown around her slender shoulders. and a
pair Of miserable old shoes upon her feet.
She was almost frozen.
- You are the widow Watkins little
daughter ?" said Mrs. Rowland, inquir-
ingly.
The little girl answered in the lffirmativc,
and added that her Ma wus sick, and
wished Mr.. Rowland TO step over and see
her, for she thought she would surely die.
Mr.. Rowland owned the place on which
the sick woman resided She was very in
digent, and but poorly able to pay the ex-
travagant rent which the unfeeling owner
eXacted. The property was once Lcr hus-
bands, or rather her own, being gift from
her father on the very day of her wedding.
Mr., Watkins was wealthy when a young
man, and was educated for the bar, and no
enc seemed more likely TO be successful in
his profession. He and Mr.. Rowland were
early associates. The latter, few years
before the period at which We now find
him, had commenced the nclgrious lr>ilic il
ardent spirits-had grown rich; had iAdaccd
Watkins TO drink-lnldc him drunk, and by
degrees a drunkard and when the poor be-
so.ted victim was unable to pay his debts,
contracted mostly for rum, but partly by
neglccting his professional duties, he, his
former associate, his pretended friend, his
destroyer, was the first 10 dccry and oppress
him. Ills horses and oxen were sold by ie
sheriff. next his household and kitchen fur
niture were seized, and finally u mortgage
was given Rowland upon the homestead of
the dlunkard, to secure the rum dealer in
the payment OF pitiful balance in his
favor.
This calamity did not check the prodical
career OF the incbriatc. lie still quaiied
the LIQUID poison, and still did the heartless
dealer hold ont inducements to prevail upon
him to sink lower into wrctchcdncss and
shame. \ few weeks later, he was one
morning found dead in the street. He had
left the grocery at late hour the preceding
night in state OF intoXcation. The night
was dark, and he probably missed his way
fell into gutter, found himself unable tc
get out, and being stupiied with rum, he
went to sleep and frozc 10 death.
Rowland in short time forecloscd the
mortgage, and the home ef the drunkard' 5
wife became the lcgll property of the man
who hal destroyed her peace, and reduced
her to beggary and want lie permitted
her to remain on the premises, cXacting al
cxtrayaglnt rate Of rent. Mental anguish
excessive labor, want of proper noursh'
mcnt and exposure, had we'll nigh worn hcl
out, and she was fast sinking i'll the grave
where the weary are al rest. No one had
been near her; no one seemed 10 care fo
her in fact, it was not known even 10 he
nearest neighbors that she was sick.
Mr.. Rowland felt anxious only for hi
rent, there being at that time SINAI sun
due. And perhaps it is owing TO that cir
cumstanco that he so readily consented to ac
company the little girl to the room of he
sick mother. He drew on his overcoat, te'
woolen comforter round his neck, drew o.
his gloves, and taking his umbrella, sat on
through the drifting snow and sleet, ant
bent his way to the widows unccmtortabl
home.
He found her lying on a miserable bed @
strayy. with her head slightly elevated, til