Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-11-11
MistklIanfons.
Sarah Goodwin and Her Bows.

oIs. one was not wholly frlendless, bu
those who she knew would have aided her
IN her struggles, were very poor and could
not. So she, widow with four bows from
the ages Of four to nine years, struggled
through winters cold and Summers heat,
providing her little family with bread and
that was all. Meat and luxuries were
denied Sarah Goodwin and her boys.-
Ihe latter were good children, always in
their home after night-fall, and giving
| their mother every cent of their little
earnings as often as they found any work
| to do.
AT last the mother fell sick, and thro'
a weary illness she had no other attend
ance, save the occasional help of neigh
Dor, and constant help of her little boys.
They were never from her side, and it
was touching to behold their sympathy,
their gentle mlnlstrations; every body
prophesied that they would be blessed in
coming years, for their thoughtful kind
ness toward their mother.
The widow recovered, but it was now
the heart of a bitter winter, and their lit
tie stock of fuel was nearly gone. AS
soon as her strength permitted, she walk
ed through the cold cherries day to the
shop of her employer, and told him her
pltiful story. But it was hard times; her
ILLNESS had made room for others as des-
tItute as herself; in fine, they had not one
stitch OF work to give her. With sink
ing heart but praying to keep her courage
up, the poor woman toiled on from shop
to shop until it became late, and what with
her tears and the darkness, she could hard
ly see her way home.
''lf Mr.. Hart himself had been there"
she soliloquized, bending to the strong
wind, and drawing her scanty shawl clo-
ser about her form, 81 know he would
have given me work.
As she whispered thus through her
chattering teeth, tall man, with long
gray beard, passed by her, and as he did
Sc, something fell to the sidewalk, and
laid upon the crusted snow Sarah paus-
ed, she had heard the noise made by the
little packet, and a mysterious impression
led her to search for it. Oh, Joy! it was
purse, heavy and filled to the brim; vel
low and shining laid the gold within its
strong meshes, as she carried it toward
lighted window.
My poor boys, they shall want food
no more" she calculated fervently; This
is gold. God put it in my way; he saw
was despairing"
Suddenly, like Il fash of lightning, the
thought occurred to Sarah that me- one
cent of the new found treasure was hon
estly hers. But moment she fingered,
pressing the money with her numbed fin
gers, the sorrowful tears coursing down
her thin cheeks, then starting forward to
find the owner of the purse, she walked
hurriedly up the street, fearful that the
temptation should she arrive at her own
poor room and see her hungry children,
might prove too strong for her integrity.
Opposite the great hotel as she stood
hesitating what way to take, she saw the
stranger enter. She knew him by his
long, singular beard, and..timidly crossing
the street, she made her way into the bill
lard hall, and there bewldered by the
light, knew not what to say till twice ask
ed by servant what she wanted. OF
course she could do no more than describe
the stranger by his tall stature and strange
beard. But he had already gona out
again; she must call on the morrow, they
said, and enquire for Mr.. Ashcroft.
The next morning, having eaten moth
ing, for she could no, touch farthing of
the gold she was admitted into the room
where sat the stranger. He arose as she
entered, and gazed with curious air till
she presented the purse. Then he start
ed with pleased surprise, laid down his
paper, took the gold and counted it over.
81 1t is al! safe" he said, I" you have not
taken"
Not one piece, sir" she cried eager
ly, trembling as she spoke.
You seem poor" remarked the stran-
ger carelessly.
q am poor" she replied.
Z" Got family, SUPPOSED
Four little boys, sir, am a widow"
81 Humpi, humph, SO supposed-that S
the old story"
Ask Mr. Hart the tailor" cried the
widow, stepping forward little; she
knows me well; he knows if / am poor !
am honest"
A bright red spot burned on her cheeks
as she spoke, and she forced back the
tears.
"Now confess" said the stranger, RI
sing and walking to and fro before the
fire, " confess that you expected large
reward for this"
q did think perhaps" and she turned
with quivering lips to the door.
Stop, STOP" cried the stranger, you
know you would never have returned the
purse, had you not expected to Se paid
for IT,"
Sir said the widow, her tone indig.
nant, her thin form towering, and oh, the
witherino rebuke in her voice and man
ners.
The stranger paused, holding the purse
in his hand; then drawing forth the small
est possible coin that it contained, offered
it to her.
For a moment she drew back, but ther
remembering that her poor boys were
hungry at home, and in bed because there
was no fire, she burst into tears as she
took it saying " This will buy bread fol
my poor children" and hurrying away
she buried the bitterness of that morning
in her own heart.