Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-10-12

IioiI hlo SldtG Vi lIellldl NY SOL-
want announcing that poor woman, who had
called twice before, wished to see him to obtain
some relief. Mr.. Beasey gave orders 10 have
her shown up.
The individual who presently entered the
apartment was pale, emaciated female of five
or six-and-twenty, but who, judged by her hol-
low and anxious countenance, would have well
passed for forty. A thin calico dress hung wet
and cliDging 10 her ancles; her shoes, by long
servitude worn bare, were fastened by tapes
across her instep, and as she crossed the room
left the broad marks of her feet on the boards,
while the water oozed at every motion from the
saturated leather. Round her neck was pinned
a scanty triangular shawl that barely hid her
bosom, aud only partially protected it from the
invading storm. An old bonnet, so large that
it almost hid her shrunken features, completed
the meagre habilimcnts of this once neat and
comely woman.
After some questioning, in reply to which
the poor woman explained that her husband
Ndo llS a. otdiNIHp, lHdL lIl0 ODleCt
of her application was TO obtain more immedi-
ate relief than possible by the necessary slow
legal process, she obtained from Mr.. Beaseley
a trife of money, and an order for a quarter
of flour.
With a trembling hand and shvering frame,
for her clothes had struck chill to her very
Hood tho uoroaD undd tho hoavy Iotcb orJ
closing the portal behind her, stood again in
the pitiless storm and unprotected way. Pull
ing the mockery of a shawl close over her
bosom, she hurried quickly down the avenue
that led from the Magistrates house, and had
jnst reached the gate that opened on the village
street, when carriage, driven with speed, ra-
pidly turned the angle; and before the driver,
who kept his head down TO shield his face from
the violence of the sleet could see the coming
figure or arrest his horses, the poor woman was
dashed TO the ground by the pole of the coach,
and thrown several yards from the wheel into
a pool Of water that had collected at the park
entrance. The carriage was instantly stopped;
and a gentleman alighting, fastened forward
and raised the female from the ground express
ing his regret and pain at the misfortune.
Il am not very much hurt, thank you, sir,
only very frightened, she said, family, as the
gentleman led her to the steps Of The carriage.
Poor creature, she is wet through = ex-
claimed a soft and sympathizing voice from the
coach Tell US where you live, my good wo-
man, and we will drive YOU home
Oh no, thank you, madam 1t is not
very far, and think / can walk now. Don't
let me keep you in the rain, madam. Thank
you, am better now
Poor creature | am sure she is hurt
Send for surgeon, Charles, and let her be
taken care Of till can visit her myself. To
be out on such a day as this, and so thiny
dressed ! am certain you are hurt
'Oh dear, no, madam. | don't think the
horse touched me at all; and | must 60 home
to my poor husband. Thank you, madam
Then come 10 my house Tomorrow at
twelve; wish particularly to see you-Mr.
Chesterield's, at the Elms. But are you sure
you can walk 2
'Oh yes, thank you, madam, quite WELL
DO not forget Mrs. ChesterfeIds wish to-
morrow added the gentleman kindly, as he
took out his purse; but after a moments hes-
tation, as if fearing to hurt the poor woman S
feelings, he returned it nnobserved to his
pocket; and repeating his lady's injunctions,
stepped into the carriage, and was rapidly
driven away in the direction of the magistrate 5
hall.
Pressing her hand tightly on her side, and
drawing her breath with inspirations, for she
was much hurt, though from delicate motives
alleging the contrary, the poor waman slowly
proceeded down the wet street, and ultimately
reached her miserable abode at the outskirts
of the village. Pausing a moment at the door,
she pulled the string that lifted the wooden
latch and entered the dreary dwelling; and a
more melancholy chamber than that she now
entered penury never called home. A patched
and broken atticed window transmitted just
enough of the cheerless December light TO
reveal, in chilling colors, the few dilapdated
pieces Of household goods that constituted the
scanty furniture.
On stump bedstead in the corner nearest
to the huge chimney and long -extinguished
fire, sat the attenuated form Of a sick man,
whose shrunken features and lustrous eyes be-
spoke too plainly the ravages of disease and
want. An old coat drawn over his shoulders
shielded his body from the keen wind that
howled down the chimney, and found hun
dred mouths through the broken plaster and
rifted door, whirling the sand upon the brick
floor in sweeping eddies round the room.
Before him, on the drugget of the bed,
rested an old tray, with small chisel, knife
and file, few chips Of wood, and the carved
figure of king in armor cut from the little
block Of the whitest ash. With his long skin
ny fingers he had just set the finished work
manship upon the tray as his wife entered,
and turned his gratifed gaze from his com,
pleted task with mournful inquiry and so
licitude upon his drenched and not less miser-
Bile wife.
You are wet and cold, Mary, and there is
no fire to warm you,' said the husband mourn
fully, as with deep sigh he glanced at the