The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-07-21
Benevolence and Gratitude.
a TRUE STORY.

1t was raw, bleak night, the rain was
falling fast while the wind blew in VIC.
lent gusts. A Portsmouth night coach
stopped at the principal inn of the town
to change horses. The cold and wearied
travellers alighted for a few minutes to
enjoy the comfort of blazing fire, as well
as to take refreshments.
"Will you give poor fellow a nights
shelter in your hay loft 7" asked a wealth
er-beatcn sailor, addressing one of the
hostlers who was fastening the harness.
mo, not to such as you," answered the
man; "you had better make the best
OF your way of, 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 set adrift upon
the world without a penny to keep your
mead above water; and as to honesty. |
know better than to take what is not nv
own, II L have not shoe to my foot"
l wouldn't trust you further than |
could sec y"u," said the hostler; land if
> ~ ""i' oS Oll il IlbkS you.
Ioor Jack was turning away, hungry
and toot-sore, when he was tapped on
the shoulder by a lad who acted as stable
boy. "lf you were to go down the road
to the first little shop you come to, widow
Smith would, | dare say, let You sleep in
her wood-house she is a good old crea-
ture, and is always ready to help any one
i'll distress"
"Thank you, thank you," said the
sailor.
These few words caused revulsion of
feeling in the breast of the forlom stranger; {;
they told him that there still were hearts
in which kindness flowed.
John Willis, on coming ashore, had
been robbed of his little ali, a thing of
no uncommon occurrence; and he was
now compelled to beg his way to London.
lie deeply felt the rebutfs he frequently
met with. The prevalence of impositions
frequently renders it hard for those who
are really in need to get help, for their
truthtulneSs is often questioned.
Jack followed the direction given him:
but he found the shop closed. He felt
that 1t was an unreasonable hour; still,
the favorable account he had received of
the owner encouraged him to tap gently at
the door. His summons was answered
oy the worthy dame, who, having lis
tened compass:onatcly to bis tale of suf-
tering, badc him enter and share her
frugal meal. The tar entertained his ben
evolent hostess with rental of some of
the shipwrecks and narrow escapes
he had himself had. And she pious-
ly directed his mind to the good Provi-
dence 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 20 her
dwelling, and, with thankful heart, the
wearied traveller stretched himself upon
1t, 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, Il warm meal awaiting
him. Having partaken of it, and accep-
ted few pence to help him on his way,
he departe l., with a heavy benediction
from his hostess.
Ten years passed, and the little incident
here recorded had long escaped the MEM
ory of all save one ofthe parties concerned.
Ten years had wrought many changes in
the town and most of its inhabitants; but
they had gided gently over the head of
widow Smith. The only alteration per
ceptlble in her was, that her hair had be-
come more silverv, and her form was
slightly bent. She still continued her la
bors of love; and thought her means were
very limited, she was looked upon as the
friend and ncighbur of all who were sick
or in want.
One morning large, official-lookinc
letter was put into Mrs. Smiths hand by
the Postman. Its purPort was to beg her
attendance in the city of London, on the
following day, when, the writer said, she
would receive gratifying intelligence, which
1t was wished to communicate to herself
personally. Much consultation and gossip
ensued. One of her neighbors thought
1t hoax, to play the old lady a trick;
another said it was highly imprudent for
woman OF her years to take such jour
ney, especially 10 trust herself alone in
IN such wicked place as London while
a third was quite sure that the writer
had some evil design. 1t did appear
formidable undertaking to one who had
never strayed ten miles from her native
place. The widows credulity had often
been imposed upon, yet she would believe
anything but that any one would inten-
tlonally 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. Wherefore,
notwithstanding the ridicule Of some and
the circumstances Of Others, the good
dame started by the first coach which
passed through on the morrow, and
reached London in time to meet the ap-