The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-09-06
SARAH GOODWIN AND HER BOYS.

Z X.
She was not who'll y frirndless. but those whom
she knew, and who would have aided her in
her struggles, were very poor and could not
so she, widow with four boys. from the aces
OF tour to n'ne years, struggled through win.
ters cold and summers heat, providing her
little family with bread, and that was all.
Meat and luxuries we're denied Sarah Good.
WIN and her boys. The latter we're good
children. always in their homes AFTER night.
tall, 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 throuoh .
weary Illness she had no other attendance
save the occasional help Of neishbor. and
the constant AID Of her poor little bows. They
were never from her side, and it was touch.
ING to behold their sympathy. their gentle
mristrations; everybody prophesird tha,
they would be blessed in coming wears. for
their thoughtful kindness towards their moth.
er.
! The widow recovered hut it was now the
heart OF a bitter winter, AM. their little
sock OF fuel was nearly gone As soon As her
strength permitted, she walked through tho
cold OF a rhreress day 10 the shop of her en-.
p'oyer. and told him her pitiful storv. But
1t was hard times; her illness had made room
TOR others As destitute as herself: in fine
they had not one stitch of work to give her.
With sinking heart but praying to keen
her courage up, the rOor woman toiIed On
from shop to shop until it became late, and
what with her tears and the darkness she
could hardly see her wav home.
III Mr.. Hart himself had been there" she
sol'I"1u'z"d. hend'"s to the strong wind, and
drswln. her scan'y shawl closer about her
FORM. Il know he would have given me-
work"
AS she whispered thus through her clat,cr.
ing teeth. tall man. with a yrav beard.
passed by her. and as he did 50. something
tell TO the sidewalk and laid upon the crust
ed snow. Sarah paused; she had heard the
noise made by the little packet. and a mvs,r-
rIonS impression led her TO search tor it, Oh.
JOY IT was purse. heavy and filled to the
hr'm yellow and shinin. LAID the gold with
IN MS str"n" mc>hes, as she carried it toward
lighted window.
My poor BOYS will want food no more.
she clt"ulat-d trrv-ntly this is cold God
put II IN my WAY: he saw | was diSEsirino y
Suddenly. like flash Of lightning. the
Thought occurred 10 Sarah that not Que cen,
at The new found treasure was honestly hers
hut moment she fingered. pressing the mon.
ry with her numbrd fingers. the sorrowtul
tears chasing down her thin cheeks, then
start nS forward to find the owner Of the
purse, She walked hurrIrdly up the street
fearful that The temptation. should she arrive
at her poor room "nd see her hungry child
rem. might prove foo strong for her integrity
Opposite to the great hotel, As she stood
he>'fa'ing what wav to take, she saw the
stranger enter She new hun nv his lonc,
singular beard; and um,dIy cIo>.ins the
street she made her way INTO the t,liisr,l
hall. aud there. b-w,l.i-r-,i by the light, kn. "
not what I" say ''ii twice asked 10y servsn,
what she wanted. OF course she could dc
no more than to trsrrbr the stranger by his
tall stature aud strange beard But he had
already gone out n"ain: she must call on the
morrow. they sad aud ask for Mr. Ashcroft
The next morning. having eaten nothlu.
tor III" roui not touch Il "a, thing OF the gold
she WAS ADMITTED into the room where >aI tn.
stranger. liz arose as she entered, and vaz
ed with curious AIR TIL she presented the
purse. Then he started with pleased sur
PRISE. land down his paper. took tie gold
and deliberately counted it over.
'lt Is all safe, he sand, You have not ia
Not one piece, sir she cried esrserly
trembling as she spoke.
"lou seem poor" remarked the stranger
carcc>>ly.
IL an pocr," she replied
'tio family. | suppose 2"
-Four ht,Ie boys. SIR: ] am widow"
''liumph, ,humph, 50 surposed-tha, s ths
old story"
ASK Mr. Hart, the tailor" cried the wild
/ ow. stepping forward a little: ''he knows m.
well he knows il sm poor am honest"
bright red spot burnt on her cheeks a
she spoke, and she forced back the tears.
Now confess" SAID the stranger, rising
and walking to and fro before the fire, ICON
tess that you expected large reward fol
this"
Il did think. perhaps" and she turne,
with qulvcring lips to the door.
stop. STOP" cried the stranger; "yo,
N"'" ~" "Vu"i u0SS ucNcT TctuTUcU
purse, had you not expected to be paid to
IT.
'Sir, said the widow. her tone indignant
!, her thin form towering, and. oh. the withcr
ing rcbuke IN her voice ard manners.
The stranger paused. holding the purse j,
y his hands: then drawing forth the ,malles
4, possible coin that it contained, offered it .
her.
For moment she drew back, but then re
mrmter'ng that her poor boys we're bungr
: at home, and in bed because there was no fire
she burst into tears as he took it, saving
This will buy bread tor my poor children,
and hurryIny awav, she buried the bitter
y ness OF that morning in her own heart.
1t was tour o'clock on the same day. Sa
rah Goodwin sa; by q scan,y fire, busy in sew
ing patches on the very poor clothes OF he
tour boys
Kun to the door, Jimmy" she said to tn
{ eldest a. loud knU.k was heard.
~ mother" the boy cried, returning, e;
big bundle for Us !. What is it What cal
y it br :"
"Work for me. perhaps" murmured th,
j, widow, untyins the huge pack age, when sud
denly there came to lig ht tour suits Of stron,
gray clothes, with tour neat black shlnin!
caps, each set exactly fitting to the dlmrn
SONS other boys Almost paraIy zed viii
: astoDishment, the widow remained on hel
knees, her eyes riveted on the Words
present tor the fatherlrss;" while the boys
apProprlating their wardrobes, danced atou
the flor shou ing with glee.
Nv hats IN the pocket, here what's in the
pocket y cried jimmy. thrusting his han
IN that receptacle. when To- out came the
. very purse OF gold the widow had returned