Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-09-12
SARAH GOODWIN AND HER
BOYS.

Sarah Goodwin was the name OF a poor
seamstress, residing in the city Of New,
York. She was not wholly friendless,
but those whom she knew, and would
have aided her in her struggles, were
very poor and could not. So she, wild
ow with four boys, from the ages Of four
to nine years, struggled through winters
could and summers heat, providing her
little family with bread, and that was all.
Meat and luxuries were denied Sarah
Goodwin and her boys. The latter were
good children, always in their homes after
nightfall, and giving their mother every
cent of their little earnings as often as
they found work to do.
AT last the mother fell sick, and through
weary illness she had no other attend
ance, save the occasional help of neigh
Dor, and the constant aid of her poor lit
tie boys. They were never from her
side, and it was touching to behold their
sympathy, their gentle ministrations
eyrybody prophesied that they would
be blessed in coming years, for their
thouhgful kindness toward their mother
The widow recoyerd, but it was now
the heart of bitter winter, and their lit.
tie stock of fuel was nearly gone. A:
soon as her strength permitted, she
walked through the cold of cherries
day TO the shop of her employer, and told
him her pitiful story. But it was hard
times; her illness had made room brothers
as destitute as herself; in fine, they had
SINKING neAft b. praying TO keep hel
courage up, thep po, .ome oiled or .sou
shop to shop until it be, ATE, aat
what with her tears and the darkness she
could hardly see her way home.
"IfM Mr.. Hart himself had been there"
she soliloquized, bending to the strong
wind, drawing her scanty shawl close a
bout her form, - know he would hay,
given me work"
Is she whispered thus through heI
ehattering teeth, tall man, with a lonj
grey beard, passed by her, and as he di,
so, something fell to the sidewalk, AM
laid upon the crusted snow. Sara
paused; she bad heard the noise made b
the little packet, and mysteriou
!. impression led her to search for If. Oh
JOY it was a purse, heavy and filed t
the brim yellow and shining laid th
gold within its strong meshes, as sh
carried it toward lighted window.
, Ny poor boys, they shall want foo
no more" she CALCULATED fervently " th
is Gold! Cod put it in my way he sa
s | was desparing."
Suddenly, like flash Of lightning
a the thought occurred 10 Sarah that N
one cent Of the new-found treasure WI
' honestly hers. Bot a moment she linge
Y ed, pressing the money with her numbs
e fingers, the sorrowful tears chasing dor
II her thin cheeks, then starting forward
= find the owner Of the purse, she walk
Il hurriedly up the street, fearful that d
a. temptation, should she arrive at her pc
room and see her hungry children, mig
f. prove too strong for her integrity.
Opposite the great hotel, as she sto
y hesitating what way to take, she saw {
/ stranger enter. She knew him by
at long singular bread and timidiy crossi
K, the street, she made her way into {
er billiard hall, and there bewildered BY t
y, light, knew NOT what TO say I'll twice a,
q, ed BY the servant what she wanted.
n course she could dol no more, than deseri
e- the stranger by his tall stature and strar
] beard. But he had already gone
n again: she must cali on BE morrc
ce they said, and ask for Mr. Asheroft.
IN The next morning. having nothi
70 for she could not touch a farthing Of
gold, she was admitted into the 70
aad where SAT the stranger. lie arose
"a she entered, anl gazed with curious
e iill she presented the purss. Then
. started viii pleased surprise, laid do
me his paper, took tho gold and felibefat
.in- counted it over.
for III Is all safe be said, - you have
IS. taken -~----=
-, Nos cns plsee, sir shs cried sngs
trembling - ne spoke