The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-05-04
THE SOCIAL SERPENT.
DY T. S. ARTHUR.

BY T. S. ARTHUR.
A lady whom we will call Mrs. Harding,
touched With the destitute condition of a
poor, sick widow, who had three small chill
dren, determined, from an impulse OF true
humanity, to awaken, if possible, in the
minds of some friends and neishhors, an in
terest in her favor. She made IA few calls,
one morning, with this end in view, and was
gratiied to find that her appeal made q
favorable impression The first lady whom
she saw, a Mrs. Miller, promised to select
from her own and chiIdren's wardrobe Il
number feast off garments for the widow,
and TO aid her in other respects, at the same
time asking Mrs. Harding to call in Oh the
next day, when she would be able to let her
know what she could de-
Pleased with her reception, and encour.
aged to seek further aid for the widow, MIS-.
Hnding withdrew and took her way TO the
h, use Of another acquaintance. Scarcely
had she left, when a lady, named Little,
ropped in to see Mss. Miller. To her the
latter said, soon after her entrance.
'I'ye been very much interested in the
case of poor widow this morning. She is
sick, and three little children depend on her,
and destitute of almost everything Mrs,
Harding was telling me about it."
"Mrs. Harding!" The visitors counto-
nance changed and she looked unutterable
things. Il wonderP' she added, in we'll,
assumed surprise, and then was silent.
"Whots the matter with Mrs HardinS?'
asked Mrs. Miller.
II should think" said Mrs. Little, "she
was in nice business, running around, soS
slpping about INDECENT widows, wien some
OF her own relatives are SO poor they Cal
hardly keep soul and body together"
lis it really so?' asbed Mrs. Miller.
"Certaihl7 it is. had it from my cham
bermaid, whose sister is cook next door t
where cousin of Mrs. HardinS's lives, ant
she says they are one half of their time, ST.
really believes, in starving condition :
'fBnt does Mrs, Harding know Oh ti,lS!
"She ought to know It, Tor she goes 'her
sometimes, hear"
She didn't come merely to gossip abou
the poor widow, said Mrs, Miller. 'He
erranl was to obtain something to re- ey
Gcr necessities.
"Did you give her anything" aske'
Mrs. Little.
"No; but | told her to call and see M
tomorrow, when l would have somelhn,
for her"
"Do you want to know my opinion OF TN
matter?" said Mrs. Little, drawing hersel
up and assuming a very important ar
What is yoHr opinlon%'
"WAy, that there is poor widow III TIL
case at ALL"
"Mrs. LittIe"
"You needn't look surprised I'm JUS
in earnest, | never had much faith IN Mrs
Harding, at the best"
Il am surprised. If there was no poo
widow in the case, what did she want VIII
charity"
"She has poor relations of her own, 10
whom, suppose, she's ashamed to peg
See you my meaning now"
You surely wroag her"
Don't believe word OF IT, Al anyHte
take my advice, and be the admoner Oh yo1
own bounty when Airs. Harding come
again, ask her the name of this poor wido'
and where she lives. If she gives you
name and residence, go and see for youl
self"
81 will act on your suggestion" sad Mr'
Miller Though | can hardly make u
my mind to think so meanly of Mrs. Har(.
ing, still from the impression your wore
produce, deem 1t only prudent to be,
you term it, the admoner of my own bouE
4y."
The next lady upon whom Mrs. Hardin
called, was Mrs, Johns, and in her mine
she succeeded in awakening An interest t(
the poor widow.
"Call and see me tomorrow" said Mr.
Johns, "and I'll have something for you
Not long after Mrs Hardlng,s dQParturi
| Mrs. Little came in, IN her round OF gossll
ing visits, and to her Mrs. Johns mentlone
the case of the poor widow, that matt'
being for the time uppermoosst tin her though
"MEs Harding's poo, widow. lsgPPose'