Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-08-04
GOuper's Glurkshurg 8rgtater
pENEvoLENoE AND GRATITUDE,

BENEyoLENCE AND GRATITDDE.
A True story.
1t WAS raw, bleak night; the rain
was falling fast, while the wind blew in
violent gusts. A Portsmouth night coach
stopped at the principal inn of the town
to change horses. The cold and weary
travellers alighted for few moments TO
enjoy the comfort of blazing fire, as
we'll as to take refreshments,
"Will you give poor fellow nights
shelter in your hay-loft ?" asked q wealth
sr beaten sailor, addressing one OF tho
ostlers who was fastening the harness.
ono, not to such as you, answered the
man; you had better make the best oil
your way off, or you'll get more thanyou
look for, if you prowl about here any
longer"
Berhaps, young man." replied the
tar, "you may one day be sent adrift up
on the world without a penny to keep
your head above water; and as to homes
ty. l know better than to take what is not
my own, if had not shoe on my foot. :"
~ would not trust you farther than |
could see YOU" said the hostler, "and il
you don't be off, I'll make you
Poor Jack was turning away hungry
and foot-sore. when he was tapped on
the shoulder by lad who acted as sta
BILE boy. "If you we're to go down 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 creature, and always ready to help
any one in distress"
Thank you, thank you" said the sal
lor..
These few words caused a revulsion of
feeling in the breast of the Forlorn stran-
ger they told him that there were still
hearts in which kindness flowed.
John Willis on coming ashore had been
robbed of his little ala thing Of no un,
common occurrence-and he was now
compelled to beg his way to London. He
deeply felt the rebutfs he frequently met
with. The prevalence of imposition fire.
quently renders it hard for those WHO are
really in need to get help, for their truth
fulness is very frequently questioned.
Jack followed the direction given him
but he found the shop closed. He fell
that it was an unreasonable hour still the
favorable account that he had received o
its owner encouraged him to tap gently al
tho door. His summons was answered
by the worthy dame, who having listened
compassionately to his tale of suffering
babe him enter and share her frugal meal
The tar entertained his benevolent hostes,
with recital Of some of the shipwreck:
he had witnessed, and the narrow escapes
he himself had. And she piously direc
ted his mind to the good Providence who
had preserved him to the present hour
and the Saviour who had died 10 redeem
him. The repast over, the widow placed
some clean dry straw in one corner of {
shed attached to her dwelling, and with
thankful heart the wearied trayelel
stretched himself upon it, and slept as
soundly as il OH a bed Of down,
Before continuing his journey in the
morning, Jack looked in to thank the
good woman for the shelter she had Civ
en- him; he found, however, warm mea
awaiting him. Having partaken of il
and accepted few cents 10 help him or
his way, he departed with hearty ben
ediction from his hostess.
Ten years passed, and the little Incl
dent here recorded had long escaped the
memory of all, save one Of the parties
concerned. Ten years had wrought ma
ny changes in the town, and most Of the
inhabitants, but they glded gently over
the head Of tho widow Smith. The only
alteration perceptible in her was,that her
hair had become moro silvery, and hel
form was now slightly bent. She still
continued her labors Of love, though he
means were very limited, she was looked
upon as tho friend and neighbor of al
who were sick or in want.
Ona V1Orninrr n Ia rSra IA Cio1 loo ;nor lnk
ter was put into Mrs. Smiths hand by tn,
postman. Its purport was to beg her at
tendance in London on the following day
when the writer said she would receive
gratifying intelligence, which it was wish
ed to communicate to herself personally
Much consultation and gossiping ensued
One of her neighbors thought it hoa1
70 play tho old lady trick another sale
1t would DO highly imprudent for woman
OF her years to take such a journey, espe'
oially TO trust herself alono in such o
wicked place as London; while third
was quito sure that the writer had some
evil design, 1t did appear formidable
undertaking for one who had never stray
ed ten miles from her native place. The
widows oredulity had often been impo
sed upon, yet she would believe anything
but that any one would Intentionally
deceive or wrong her. She had grea
confidence too,in the protecting providence
Of God. whom she served in humble de
pendenco on his grace in Christ, and there
fore felt no fear in complying with thu
request in tho letter. Therefore, not
withstanding the ridicule OF some, anc
the circumstances Of others, the gooc
dame started by the first coach which
passed through on the morrow, and reach.
ed London in time to meet the appoint.
ment.
The address given her was at an inn,
and on arriving there she was immediate.