Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-12-29

added, o sir, my sickness has deeper cause,
and one which is beyond the art of the physi-
clan to cure am mother-a wretched moth
er. see my children sinking daily deeper and
deeper in misery and want, which / have no
means of relieving. My sickness is of the heart,
and death alone can end my SORROWS; but even
death is dreadful to me, for it awakens the tho't
plunged f. Here emotion choked her ut
terance, and the tears flowed unrestrained down
her cheeks. But the pretended physician spoke
so consolingly to her, and manifested so warm
sympathy for her condition, that the heart of the
poor woman throbbed with pleasure that was
unwonted.
"Do not despair" said the benevolent stran-
ger; q" think only of recovery and Of preserving
a life that is so precious to your children. Can
write prescription here ?"
The poor widow took little prayer-book
from the hand of the child who sat with her on
the bead, and tearing out blank leaf,
81 have no other paper" said she; "butper-
haps this will do"
The stranger took a pencil from his pocket,
and wrote few lines upon the paper
"This prescription" said he, "you will find
of great service to you. If it is necessary, will
write you a second. have great hopes of your
recovery"
He laid the paper on the table and went a.
way.
Scarcely was he gone when the elder son re-
turned.
'Cheer up, dear MOTHER" said he, going to
her bedside and affectionately kissing her. "See
what a kind, benevolent stranger has given u.s.
1t will make us rich for several days. 1t has en-
abled us to have physician, and he will be here
in moment. Compose yourself, now, dear
mother, take courage"
"Come nearer, my son." answered the moth
er, looking with pride and affection on her child.
Come nearer, that may bless you. God nev-
er forsakes the innocent and the good. o may
he still watch over you in all your paths! A
physician has just been here. He was stran-
ger, but he spake to me with kindness and a
compassion that were balm to my heart
When he went away he left that prescription
on the table; see if you can read it."
Henry glanced at the paper and started back
he took it up, and as he read it through again
and again, a cry Of wonder and astonishment es-
capped him.
"What is it, my son!" exclaimed the poor
widow, trembling with an apprehension of she
knew not what.
"Ah, read, dear mother! God has heard us"
The mother took the paper from the hand of
her son; but no sooner had she fixed her eyes
upon it, than "My God" she exclaimed 1t is
Washington" and fell back fainting upon her
pillow.
The writing was an obligation from Washing
ton, (for it was indeed he) by which the widow
was to receive the sum of 500, from his own
private property, to be doubled in case Of neces-
sity
Meanwhile, the expected physician made his
appearance, and soon awoke the mother from
her fainting fit. The joyful surprise, together
with good nurse with which the physician pro-
vided her. and plenty of wholesome food, soon
restored her to perfect health.
The influence Of Washington, who visited
them more than once, provided for the widow
friends, who furnished her with constant and
profitable employment; and her sons, s,when they
had arrived at the proper age, they placed in re-
spectacle situations, where they were able not
only to support themselves, but to render the
remainder of their mothers life comfortable and
happy.
Let the children who read this story, remem-
ber, when they think of the great and good
Washington, that he was not above entering the
dwelling of poverty, and carrying JOY and glad
ness to the hearts of its inmates This is no fic-
titious tale, but is only one of thousand Incl
dents which might be related of him, and which
stamp him one of the best of men.
The DEATH OF OUR GREAT MEN--Of the
eminent men of the United States who have
been voted for the Presidency, only two, Messrs.
Van Buren, and Cass--are now living. The can
didates in 1924, were Crawford, Jackson, Clay,
and Adams. In 1928, Jackson and Adams. In
1882, Jackson, Clay, Writ. In 1886, Van Bu-
rem, Webster and Harrison. In 1874, Clay and
Polk. In ls4S, Cass and Taylor.
Mr.. Webster called to see John Adams on
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