Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-06-24
M Ills G L L L A IN Y
THE WIDOWS WILL.
M REX 4 SCOTT.

e
It was bitter night The snow had been
falling I'M feccy fights during the greater
portion Of the day, and the cold was 50 in.
tense that little business of any kind had
been prosecuted BY the Industrious and en-
terprising citizens Of the village Night
had succeeded day. The snow and slect
we're still descending, and the spirit of the
storm seemed to howl around the house, and
through the fields and orchards aud forests,
and among the distant mountains.
Mr.. Rowland had returned from his
counting house at an earlier hour than usu-
oil Supper had been served and the fami
lii had gathered around the sparkling fire -
The children had been put to bed in an adj
iDining apartment, and the infant was Sleep
ing 10 the cradle under the immediate no.
ecvi4sreea4A4nv s9Lr-.R Rowland Mai read.
would make some remarks relative7to the se-
verify Of the weather Mrs r.. was parting
the faxen curls upon the head Of the sleep.
ing babe, and occasionally she imprinted the
warm kiss of maternal affection upon its
ruddy cheek
Suddenly some one raped at the door
1t was opened, when a little girl Of about
seven years old was admitted Her scanty
dress was tattered and torn, a ragged quilt
thrown around her slender shoulders and a
pair Of miserable old shoes upon her feet
She was almost frozen.
You are the widow Watkins little daugh,
ter i said Mrs Rowland, inquiringly
The little girl answered in the affirmative,
and added that her Ma was sick, aud wished
Mr. Rowland to step over and see her, for
she thought she would surely die.
Mr.. Rowland owned the place on which
the sick woman resided She was very ms
digent, and but poorly able to pay the ex-
travagant rent which the unfeeling owner
exacted. The property was once her hus-
bands, or rather her own, being gift from
her father on the very day of her wedding.
Mr.. Watkins was wealthy when a young
man, and was educated for tue bar, and no
one seemed more likely to be successful in
his profession Heand Mr. Rowland were
associates The latter, few years before
the period at which we now find him, lfad
commenced the nefarious traffic in ardent
spirits--had grown rich-had induced Wat
kins to drink-made him drunk, and by de-
grees drunkard and when the poor besot-
ted victim was unable to pay his debts, con-
tracted mostly for rum, but partly by me-
ktCIttAE uutltS.r uc, Ills
Or associate, his pretended friend, his dcs-
troyer, was the first to dccry and Cypress
him His horses and oxen were sold BY the
sheriff, next his household and kitchen fur
niture we're seized, and finally a mortgage
was given to Rowland upon tho homestead
Of the drunkard, to secure the rum dealer in
The payment of pitiful balance in his favor.
This calamity did not check the prodigal
career of the incbriatc. He still quaffsd the
liquid poison, and still did the heartless deal
ef hold out inducements to prevail upon him
to sink Low er into wretchcdness aud shame
A few weeks after, he was one morning found
dead in the street He had left the grocery
At late hour the preceding night, ID q state
Of intoxication The night was dark, and he
probably missed bis way--feli into gutter
found himself unable to get cut Nand, be-
ing supplied with rum, be went to sleep and
froze to death.
Rowland in short time foreclosed the
mortgage, and the home Of the drunkard's
wife bcsEme the legal property Of the man
who had destroyed her peace, and reduced
her to beggary andwant Hcpsrmitted her
10 remain On the premises, exacting an ex-
travaaant rate Of rent Mental anguish, ex
t61tltS 4NuDl, NAue VI FtSFp5 AtVA- 80 -9SAeg
and exposure bad well nigh worn her out,
and she was fast sinking into the grave,
where the weary are e rest No one had
been near her no one seemed to care for
hor--in fact il was not known even TO her
nearest neighbors that she was sick.
Mr.. Rowland felt anxious only for his
rent, there being 1t that time.a small sum
due And perhaps il IS owing 70 that be 50
readily consented to accompany the little
girl to the room Of her sick mother lie
drew On his overcoat, and tied . uoollen
eomfSrter round bis neck. drew on his gloves
and taking his umbrella, set ont through the
drifting snow and sleet. and bert his way to
fhe Widows uncomfortable home
He found her lying on miserable bed Of
straw, nth her head slightly slepatsd, the
only chair belonging 4 her ho1so being
placed nn1er her pillow She Vas pale and
fhastIf. ard etidentIyaEear The hour Of dis
ssl1'i93 AE koNIsnd being seated on !