Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-07-31
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BENEyOLENCE AND GRATITUDE,
a TRUE STORY.

1t was raw, bleak night the rain
was falling fast, while the wind blew
n violent gusts. A Portsmouth night
coach stopped at the principal a,I inn Of
,tIe town to change horses. The cold
and weuri;ed travellers alightcd for a
ssw moments to enjoy the comforts OF
!a.blazing fire, as we'll as to take re-
freshments.
.,l ..Will you give poor fellow a
NIGHTS shelter in your hay loft y ask
ed'a weathcr-beateu sailor, addressing
Io3e Of the osllcrs who was fastening
the harness.
On o, no, to such as you," answered :,
,beman,--" you had better make the
best of your way off, or you'll &c;
more than you look for, if you prowl
about here any longer"
zap Perhaps, young man. replied the e
gtar " YOU may one day he sent adrift
upon the world, without penny to
keep your head above wateri and as
to Honesty, l know better than to take
what is not my own, if had not a
shoe to my foot"
Poor Sack was turning away, hun,
Z sseryand foot-sorc, when he was tapped
onthe shoulder by u lad who acted as
stable boy. "If you were to go down
lie road to the first little shop you
come to-" he said, widow Smith
would, 1 dare say, let you sleep in her
wood house she is a good old crea-
!. sure,.eud is al@ays-reatfa stoHheEp.any
oneSin distress"
.eTlsank you, thank you;" SAID the
sailor.
These few words caused a revulsion
of feeling in the breast Of the forlorn m
stranger; they told him tina: there still
we're hearts in which kindness flowed.
John Willis, on coming ashore, had
1 been robbed of his little ala thing
Of no uncommon occurrence-and he
was now compelled to beg his way e to
London. He deeply felt d the rebufs
he frequently met with. The pre,va-
lence Of imposition frequently renders
It bafd for those who are really IN
need, 10 get help, for their truthfulness
is veiy frequently questioned.
Jaek followed the direction given
him but he found the shop closed
HeS{Slt that it was an unreasonable
hour : still the favorable account that
he had received Of its owner encour-
aaed him to tap gently at the door,
Il 3 summons was answered by tho
worthy dame, who, having listened
I. !compassionately 10 his tale Of suffer
Inc. babe him enter and share her iru-
ral meal. The tar entertained his be-
9Seyolent hostess with arecital Of some
M the ship-wrecks he had witnessed,
I and the narrow escapes he had him
selfhad. The old lady piously direct
ed5his mind to the good Providence
witch had preserved him to the pres,
ssant hour, and the Saviour who had
died to redeem him. Therepast over
,he widow placed some clean dry
Sslrawin in one corner of shed attached
{ Sfo@ her dwelling, and with thankful
heart the wcaried traveller stretched
himself upon it, ank slept as sound!y
,asif OH bed Of down.
Before continuing his journey in
,he morning. jack looked in to thank
:fhe good woman for the shelter she
.badisiyen him; he found, however, q
.,yarm meal awaiting him. Having
natakep of it and acccpteda few cents
toIhelphim on his way, he departed
with q hearty benediction from his
hostess, u
Teuiyears passed. and the little in.
.c;aeat,ierc recorded hodIong escaped
,bs memory of oil save one Of the
narties m, concerned. Ten years had
wrought many changes in the town
md most of its inhabitants; but they
had plidel gently over the head oI
Widow Smith. The only alteration
rarseptible in her was, that hcr hail
bsl become more silvory, and her form
was now slightly bent. She still con
,;n5el her labors of love; and though
hsr means we're very limited, she was
lacked upon as the friend and neigh
ior Of ali who were sick or in want
One morning, large official look
ND letter was put into Mrs. Smiths
basd by postman. Its purport was
~ % beg her attendance in London, Oh
,,be following day, when the wri.e'
sa;l she would yccciTo gratifying III