Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-14
Cbuirf Titrruturr.
THE WIDOWS VILLA TRUE
TALE
BY. REv. 3. NJ. SCOTT.


IT was bitter night. The snow had
been falling in Aeecy flights during the )
greater portion Of the day, and the cold
was so intense that little business of any
kind had been prosecuted by the indus
trious and enierprising citizens Of the
village. Night had succeeded day.
The snow and sIeet were still descend
ing, and the spirit Of the storm seemed
10 howl around the house, and through
the fields and orchards and forests, and
among the distant mountains.
Mr. Rowland had returned to his count
ing-house at an earlier hour than usual |
Supper had been served and the family
had gathered around the sparkling fIe.
The children had been put 10 bed in an
adjoining apartment and the infant was
sleeping in the cradle under the immedl-
ate notice Of its mother Mr.. Rowland
was reading a newspaper and as the fit
ful blast moaned around his commodious
dwelling, he would make some remark
relative to the severity Of the weather
Mrs. Rowland was parting the haxen
curls upon the head Of the sleeping babe,
and occasionally she imprinted the warm
kiss Of maternal affection upon its ruddy
cheek.
Suddenly some one raped at the door
II was opened, when little girl Of about
seven years old was admitted. Her
scanty dress was taiiered and torn, a
ragged quilt thrown around her slender
shoulders, and pair Of miserable old
shoes upon her feet. She was almost
frozen.
You are the widow Watkins little
daugh.erP said Mrs. Rowland. inqui-
ringly.
The little girl answered in the afirma-
tive, and added that her Ma was sick,
aud 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 INDECENT. and but poorly able
10 pay the extravsgant rent which the
unfeeling owner exscted. The proper
ty was once her husbands, or rather her
own being gift from her father on the
very day Of her wedding. Mr.. Watkins
was wealthy when young man. and ed
ueated for the bar, and no one seemed
uiOtC IhCly ~ uC SuGCGoSlul III UlS pro-
fession. He and Mr.. Rowland were
early associates. The latter, few years
before the period at which we now find
him, had commenced the nefarIous traf-
6c in ardent spiri,s-and grown rich
had induced Watkins TO drink-made
him drunk, and by degrees, drunkard; /;
and when the poor besotted victim was
unable to pay his debts, contracted most.
lv for rum, but partly by neglecting his
professional duties, he, his former associ-
ate, his pretended friend, his destroyer,
was the first 10 decry and oppress him -
His horses and oxen were sold by the
sheriff, next bis household and kitchen
furniture were seized and finally, &
mortgage was given TO Rowland upon the
homestead Of the drunkark, II secure
the Ium~desler in the payment Of pitt
ful balan1s n his favor.
This calamity did not check the prod
igal career Of the inebriate. He still
quaffed The liquid poison, and still die
the heartless dealer hold oui inducements
to prevail upon him 10 sink lower int,
wretchedness and shame. A few week
after, he was one morning found dead il
Inc street. ne Ddu leIt tne grocery at
late hour the preceding night in stat
of intoxication. The night was dark
and be probably missed his way-fe
into gutleF-found himself unable I
get oui-snd being siupefed with rum
be went 10 sleep and froze 10 death.
Rowland in a short time foreclosed th
mortgage, and the home ofthe drunkard
wife became the legal property of tn
man who had destroyed her peace, an
reduced her TO beggaiy aud want. H
permitted her to remain on the premises
exachng an extravagant rate Of rent
Mental anguish, excessive, labor, wal
o. proper nourishment, and exposur
had well nigh worn her out, and ST
was Iast sinking into the grave, whe
tne weary are at rest. No one had be-
near ner no bone seemed TO care fol he
III TACT, Il was moi known even 70 h
nearest neighbors that she was sick
mr. Rowland felt anxious only
bis Ient there being at that time smi
sum due. And perhaps il is owing
that circumstance that he so readily CO
senied 10 accompany the little elrl
o4 the room OF her sick mother. He dr.
on his overcoat, tied woolep comfor
round bis neck, drew on his gloves, a