Daily American telegraph., 1852-06-16
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
Benevolenee and Gratitude.
A TRUE STORY.

Il was raw, bleak night; the rain was fall
ing fast, while the wind blew in violent gusts A
Portsmouth night.coaoh stopped at the principal
inn OF the town to change horses The cold and
wearied travellers aghted for few moments to
enjoy the comfort Of blazing fire, as well as to
take refreshments
"Will you give poor fellow nights shelter
In your hay-loft I" asked weather beaten sailor,
addressing one Of the ostlers, who was fastening
the harness,
''No, not to such as you" answered the man
"you had better make the best of your way Oft,
on ypull get more than you look for, if you prowl
about here any longer"
'fPerhaps, young man." replied the tar, "you
may one day be sent adrift upon the world, with
out penny to keep your head above water;
and as to honesty, know better than to take
what is not my own, if ! had not shoe to my
foot.''
II wouldn't trust you further than could see
yoB" said the ostler and if you don't be of,
.Pll make you"
foor Jack was turning away, hungry and foot
sore, when he was tapped on the shoulder by a
lad who acted as stable-boy. :" If you were to go
down the road to the first little shop you come
to, he said widow Smith would, dare say,
let you sleep in her wood-house she is good old
creature, and is always ready to help any one in
distress"
1adAh you, Lnunk you, SHlu lnG sailor
These few words caused revulsion of feeling
in the breast of the forlorn stranger they told
him that there still were hearts in which kind
ness flowed.
John Willis, on coming ashore, had been robbed
of his little ala thing of no uncommon oc-
currence-and he was now compelled to beg his
way to London He deeply felt the rebuffs he
frequently met with The prevalence Of imposi-
ton frequently renders it hard for those who are
really in need to get help, for their truthfulness
IS very frequently questioned.
Jack followed the direction given him but he
found the shop closed. He felt that it was an
unreasonable hour; still the favorable account
that he had received of its owner encouraged him
to tap gently at the door. His summons was an
swered by the worthy dame, who, having listened
compassionately to his tale of suffering, bade
him enter and share her frugal meal The tar
entertained his benevolent hostess with recital
of some of the shipwrecks he had witnessed and
the narrow escapes he had himself had. And she
pously directed his mind to the good Providence
which had preserved him to the present hour,
and the Saviour who had died to redeem him
The repast over the widow placed some clean
dry straw in one corner of shed attached to her
dwelling, and with a thankful heart, the wearied
traveller stretched himself upon it, and slept as
soundly as if on bed of down.
Before continuing his journey in the morning
Jack looked in to thank the good woman for the
shelter she had given him; he found, however. a
warm meal awaiting him. Having partaken of it
and accepted few pennies to help him on his
way, he departed with hearty benediction from
his hostess.
Ten years passed, and the little incident here
recorded had long escaped the memory Of all save
one of the parties concerned. Ten years had
wrought many changes in the town and most of
its inhabitants; but they had glided gently over
the head Of widow Smith The only alteration
perceptihle in her was that her hair had become
more silvery, and her form was now slightly bent
She still continued her labors Of love and though
her means were very limited, she was looked upon
as the friend and neghbor Of all who were sick
or in want.
One morning, a large, oficiai-lookiug letter was
put into Mrs. Smiths hand BY the postman It's
purport was TO beg her attendance in London on
the following day, when the writer said she would
receive gratifying intelligence which it was
wished to communicate to herself personally.
Much consultation and gossiping ensued. One
of her neighbors thought it hoax to play tho
old lady a trick another said it would be
highly imprudent for a woman Of her years to
take such q journey, especially to trust herself
alone in such wicked place as London while
a third was quite sure that the writer had some
evil design. 1t did appear formidable under
from her native place. The widows creduity
had often been imposed upon, yet she would be-
lieye any thing but that any one would inteu-
tionany deceive or wrong her. She had great
confidence, too, in the protecting providence Of
God whom she served in humble dependence on
his grace in Christ, and therefore felt no fear in
complying with the request in the letter There
fore, notwithstanding the ridicule Of some and
the remonstrances of others, the good dame
started by the first coach, which passed through
on the morrow, and renched London in time TO
meet the appointment
The address given her was at an inn, and on
arriving there she was Immediately ushered into
a private apartment, where two respectable look.
ing men we're waiting to receive her. The wild
ow's surprise was increased when one Of them ac-
costed her with the familiar phrase, How do
you do, mother Don't you remember me, my
worthy :" added he, in answer to her half fright
ened, inquiring glance. {" / am Jack Willis, the
sailor you housed and fed ten years ago, when he
had neither money nor friends. | am now cap
tain Of a merchantmen and this gentleman, :"
turning to his companion, " will, in my name, do
the needful to settle an annuity Of fifty pounds
upon you, as a proof Of my gratitude for your
kindness, and especially for your good advice,
which | hope, by Gods mercy, led me to think d
Christ, and to trust in him for salvation.
The widow, unable to give uttcrance TO the
emotions Of her swelling heart, burst into tears.
Widow Smith returned to her cottage home,
thankful to God for his blessing on her humble
efforts to benefit human creature in body and
soul, and for his bountiful care for her, and de-
lighted that she had now increased means Of use
fulness and never after did she listen to q tale
Of suffering without thinking Of poor Jack Willis
,TLondon Tract Nggaar7e
SINGULAR INVENTION We sec it stated in our
western exchanges, that gentleman near Louis
vile, Ky, has applied the telegraph to an en-
tirely novel and unique use. He has nearly COM
neted m invention for writing music as il is