The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-11-24
Bcnevo,eace and Gratitude.
A TRUE STORY.


! A TRUE STORY.
1t was raw bleak night; the rain was falling
| fast, while the wind blew in violent gusts. A
Portsmouth night t-coach stopped at the pricipal
inn of the town to change horses. The cold and
wearied travellers alighted for few minutes TO en-
joy the comfort of blazing fire, as well as to take
Refreshments.
"Will you give poor fellow nights shelter in
your hay-oftl" asked weather beaten sailor, ad-
dressing one of the oslers who was fastening the
| harness.
No. not to such as you,' answered the man;
you had better make the bert of your way off, Or
you'll get more than you look for, if you prowl
about here any longer
Perhaps, young man., replied the tar, you may
one day be sent adrift upon the world, without a
penny to keep your head above water; and as 10
honesty know better than to take what is not my
own il had not shoe to ihy foot
i wouldn't trust you farther than could see you,
snid The osller, and if you don't be off, I'll make
you.
Poor Jack was turning away, hungry snd feotsore
when he was tapped on The shoulder by lad who
acted as stable boy. IF you were to go down the
the road to the first little shop you come TO-. he
snid, Widow Smith would, dare say, let you
sleep in her wood house; she is good old creature
and is always ready 10 help any one in distress.
THANK you, thank you,' saidihe sailor.
These few words caused reyulsion of feeling
in the breasts of the foilorn stranger; they told
him tlat there still were hearts in which kindness
i flowed.
/ John Willis, on coming ashore, had been robbed
Of his little all, thing of no uncommon occurrence
and he WAS now compelled to beg his way to Lon,
don. He deeply felt the rebuffs he frequently
met with. The prevalence of imposition frequent
ly renders it hard for those who renly in neet
to gethelp, for their truthfuness off en- questioned
Jack followed the directions given him, but hi
found the shop closed, He felt that it was al
unreasonable hour still the favorable account tina
he had received of its owner, encouraged him t.
tap at the door. His summonswas answered by ih
wol thy dame who, having listened compassionate
10 his tail of sdfe ngs, bade him enter and shar
her frugal meal,
The tar entertained his benevolent hostess with
recital of fthe.shipwrecks he had Witnessed and tn
narrow escapes he had himself had And sh
piously direc;elh mind to the good Provdenc
which had preserved him to the present hour. an
the Saiyior who.had died to redeem him. Th
repas over the widow placed some clean dry st az
: in one corner of shed attached to her dwelling
and with thankful heart the weared trlyele
sirstched himself upon it, and slept as soundly a
: if on bed of down.
Befoe continuing his journey in the morning
+l,a Co ~,
shelter she had given linn; he found, however,
> warm meal awaiting him. Having partaken of i
accepteda few cents to help Kim his way, b
= derarted with a hearty benedicton Fl ON his ho
" tess
IS Ten years, and the little incident here recorde
s. had long escaped the memory of all save one,o til
$ parties concerned. Ten years had wrought ma
N chang es in The town and most of the inhubitan
but they had glided gently over the head ofWidoy
ID Smith. The only alteration perceptbie IN ut
was that her hair had become more silvery, AZ
r, her form was now slightly bent She still contl
II ued her labors of love; and though her means wei
til very limited, she was looked upon as the frieI
v, and neighbor of all who were sick, or in want.
3 IS One morning large official looking lett
III was put into Mrs. Smiths hand by the pos,ma
Its purport was to beg her attendance 10 Lond'
on the following day, when the writer said s.
would receive gratifying intelligence, which
was wished to communicate to herself fpersonall
z Much consulting and gossiping ensued. One
We We her neigbhors thought la hoax, t. play the {
Od lady trick, anoihet saio i would be figt
es, imprudent for a woman OF her years TO ia
I've such journey, especially to trust herself alo
the in sucb n wicked place as London: while tn
ad- was quite sure that the writer had some e
.ln- design. 1t did appear formidable undertake
urn to one who had never strnyed ten miles from
ter, native place. The widows credulity had of
bv been imposed upon, yet she would believe q
nge thing but that any one would inten,iona
and deceive or wrong her. She had great c.
10" fdence, too. in the protecting providence
-iy God, whom she served iu humble dependence
. His grace in Christ. and therefore felt no +
llet in complying with the request in the lett
oge ? s Wherefore, notwithstanding the rdi cuie
irs. some. and the remonstrance Of others the e
ers, ~
dame started by the first coach which pas
z. through on the morrow, and reached Londor
time 10 meet the appointment.
The address given her was at an inn, and
nall ..,;,na +here she wos Immediately ushe
Fay. - ,,o ras,eo,,
locking men were waiting 10 receive her.
= widows surprise was increased when one
g. them accosted her with the familiar phr