The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-02-02
THE WIDOWS WILL.
A TRUE TALE.
BY REV. A. NJ. SCOTT.

were still descending and the spirit Of the
storm seemed to howl around the house and
through the fields and orchards and forests,
and among the distant mountains.
Mr.. Rowland had returned from his coun-
ting house at an earlier hovr than usual
Supper had been served, and the family had
gathered around the sparkling fire. The
children had been put 80 bed in an adjoin-
ing apartment, and the infant was sleeping
in the cradle under the immediate notice OF
its mother Mr.. Rowland was reading
newspaper, and as the fitful blast moaned a.
round his commodious dwelling, he wouly
make some remark relative to the severite
of the weather. Mrs. r. was parting thd
flaxen curls upon the head Of the sleeping
babe, and occasionally she imprinted the
warm kiss of maternal affection upon its
ruddy cheek.
Suddenly some one raped atthe door,
1t was opened, when little girl of about
seven years old was admitted. Her scanty +
dress was tattered and torn, a ragged guilt /
thrown around her shoulders, and pair OF
miserable old shoes upon her feet. She was |
almost frozen.
"You are the widow Watkins little daugh-
ter! said Mrs. Rowland inquiringly.
The little girl answered in the afirma-
tive, and added that her ma was sick and
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 in-
digent, and but poorly able to pay the ex-
travagant rent which the unteeling owner
exaeted. 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 young
man, and educated for the bar, and no one
seemed more likely to be successful in his
profession. HI and Mr.. Rowland were ear
II associates. The latter few years be-
fore the period at hich We now find him
had commenced the nefarious traffic in ar
dent spirirs-had grown rich-had induced
Watkins to drink made him drunk, and by
degrees, drunkdrd; and when the poor be-
sotted victim was unable TO pay his debts,
contracted for rum, but partly by neglect
ing his professional duties; he, his former
associate, his pretended friend, his destroy
er was the first to decry and oppress him. =
His horses and oxen were sold by the sher-
liz, next his household and kitchen furniture
were seized, and finally, mortgage was
, given to Rowond upon the homestead of
, the drunkard, 10 secure the rum-deaer in
This calamity did not check the prodigal
career Of the inebriate He still qualfed
K the liuuid poison, and still did the heartless
i dealer hold out inducements to prevail upon
,. him to sink lower into wrelchedness and
> shame. A few we ks after, he was one
morning found dead in the street. He had
t left the grocery at a late hour the preceding
e night in a state of intoxication. The night
T.. was dark and he probably missed his way
fell into gutter-found himself unable tc
get out-and being Supplied with rum, he
went to sleep and frozc to death
$ Rowland in short time foreclosed TIE
/ mortgage, and the home of the drunkard''
= wife became the legal property of the maj
: who had destroyed her peace, and reduced
d her to beggary and want. He permitted he
o to remain on the premises, exactng an ex
N travagant rate OF rent. Mental anguish,e ,eX
cessive labor, want Of proper nourishmen'
g and exposure, had well nigh worn her oul
g and she was fast sinking into the grave
RS where the weary are at rest. No one ha
been near her; no one seemed to care fo
her-in fact it was not known even 10 he
lie nearest neghbor that she was sick.
ss Mr.. Rowland felt anxious only for hi
ar rent, there being at that time small SUI
" due. And perhaps it is owing to that ci
H. cumstanee that he so readily consented
by accompany the little girl to the room OF he
sick mother. HI drew on his overcoat, tie
a wooden comfort round his neck, drew Q
n his gloves, and taking his umbrella, set OF
,rk through the drifting snow and sleet, and bel
his way to the widows uncomfortable HON
He found her laying on miserable bed
on on straw, with her head slightly elevated, Il
M only chair belonging to her house beir
OF placed under her pillow. She was pale al
eu' ghastly, and evidently near the hour OF di
rn solution Mr. Rowland being seated on
US rude wooden stool, she said in feeble, b
o"' decided tone Of voice:
ees 81 have sent for you sir, to pay me Wis
Ao- that may make you the HEIR to my estat
= My estate! know you are ready TO a
eh' what estate have to bequeath? And W.
CO. may you ask that wasonce happy. III
eW house was once mine; it was my fathe
lnu gft-my wedding portion. | had horses
US oxen, and cows and sheep, and orchards
an meadows. Twas you that induced my pt
aV- erring husband to drink. 1t was you W
'ter placed before him the liquid poison, a
po- pressed him to take it. Twas you that to
ave away my horses, and cows, AM mcado'
res and orchards, and my own home. 'Tv
you that ruined my peace, destroyed my b
Dor band, and in the very noon of life, sent |
down to drunkards grave. Twas you t
OF made me beggar, and cast my poor sta
sur ing babes upon the charity of a pitil
the world. | have nothing left but these r
ives ged quilts; them you do not want--y'
., have determined to bequeath you my esti
po'' Here, sir, as my last will and testamen
rea- do bequeath to you this vial of tears. II
the are tears that have shed-tears that
re. have caused Take this vial; wear it ab
you; and, when hereafter you present
:. flowing bowl to the lips Of a husband
81 father, remember that you are inhertni
70 mother vial of widows dears."
80 An hour more, and the poor widow
. widow OF a thousand sorrows, the once
0 oo yored child of fortune, the once lovely
y ol wealthy BRIDE the once affectionate wife
w devoted young mother, lay cold and SCI
" " less in death, Il her soul had been sunni
10 ~ ed to that G od, who has said, "Vengeanc
mine and / will repay"
other ----------------,--
Goth IRON ORE IN LIBERfA.-The interior
IBERIA seems to be possessed Of mineral
,... es, II we may judge from the following I
FISsl- Iat... f.on, Draaidant Rnhnr