The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-03-15
NUMBER S.

want; his affections are not wounded.
his heart not wrung. The most desc.
late in populous cities may hope, for
charity has not quite closed her hand
and heart, and shut her eyes on mise
ry. But the industrious mother of
helpless and depending children, far
from the reach Of human charity, has
none of these to console her. And
such one was the widow of the pine
cottage; but as she bent over the fire
and took up the last scauty remnant
OF food to spread before her children,
her spirits seemed to brighten up, as
by some sudden and mysterious i'm
pulse, and Cowper's beautiful lines
came uncalled across her mind
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides smiling face.
The smokingherring was scarce laid
upon the table, when gentle rap at
the door and loud barking of dog at.
tracted the attention of the family
The children flew to open it, and a
weary traveller, in tattered garments,
and apparently Indifferent health, en-.
tered and begged a lodging and a
mouthful of food. Said he, ut is now
twenty-four hours since | tasted
bread" The widows heart bled anew,
as under fresh complication of dis
tresses; for her sympathies fingered
not around her tireside. She hesita-
ted not even now; rest and share of
all she had, she profered to the stran-
ger. "We shall not be forsaken," said
she, cor suffer deeper for an act OF
charity"
The traveller drew near the board;
but when he saw the scanty fare, he
raised his eyes toward heaven with as
tonishment.
sand is this all your store?" said he;
"and share of this do you offer to one
you know not! Then | never saw
charity before! But, madam" he con-
tinued, "do you not wrong your chill
dren by giving part of your last
mouthful to stranger?"
"Ah, said the poor widow, and the
tear-drops gushed into her eyes as she
said it, 81 have boy, darling son,
somewhere on the face of the wide
world, unless heaven has taken him
away, and | only act towards you as
| would that others should act towards
him. God, who sent mama from
heaven, can provide for US as he did
for Israel; and how should | this night
offend him, ifmy son should be a wan
derer, destitute as you, and should
some nehave provided for him a home
even poor as this, were to turn you
unrelieved awayp
The widow ended, and the stranger,
sprlnging from his scat, clasped her
in his arms.
"God indeed has provided Just such
a home for your wandering son, and
has given him wealth to reward the
goodness of his benefaetress. My
mother! Omy motherp'
1t was her long-lost son, returned TO
her bosom from the Indies. He had
chosen that disguise, that he might the
more completely surprise his family;
and never was surprise more perfect,
or followed by sweeter cup of joy.
That humble residence in the forest
was exchanged for one comfortable,
indeed beautiful, in the valley, and the
widow lived long with her dutiful son.
in the enjoyment of worldly plenty and
in the delightful enjoyments Of virtue,
and at this day, the passer-by is point
ed to the luxuriant willow that spreads
tsbranches broad and green above her
grave, while he listens to the recital of
this simple and homely, but not alto
gether worthless tale.