The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-12
From the Knickerbocker.
TIE WIDOW LEEDOM'S LAST LOAF.
Dr MARY E. rHRorr, OF VALLEY FORGE, Pa.

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And in one heart if calm al all,
II any calm, calm despair.
"Calm on the seas, and silver sleep
And waves that sway themselves in rest
And deep calm in that noble breast,
! Which heaves bul with The heavirg deep.'
Tennyson.
1t was evening; "a beautiful autumn sTen
ing. The red leaves yet danced, rejoicing
in the mild air; the yellow sunshine yet gild
ed the hill tops, and the soft shadows were
creeping silently up the valley, as the gentle
widow Leedoms viii. bcr child in her arsns,
wended her way homeward. She was Tired,
for she had toiied all day in farmer Woods
kitchen, and though il was Saturday even.
ing, she had not been paid for her labor
The kind hearted house maid at Farmer
Woods had urged her 10 wait for her supper,
but she thought of her little hungry ones at
home, anG she could not stay. She had no
eye for the glory Of that superb October SUM-
set az she walked wearily on, her tired arms
scarcely able 10 hold the little joyous creature
that laughed and crowed, and ever and anon
peered into her bonnet, lisping his sweel
toned "mamma, mamma" She thought
only of her expectsnt little ones, and the
means Of obtaining bread for them to last
over Sunday. AS she neared the village,
she seemed irresolu,e whether TO enter it OF
pass or; but vision of her lonely, fasting
children, rose up before her IL Imagination,
and she stopped, her lips moved moment
or two as If in prayer, and then quickening
her step, and hurrying on like one who has
nerved herself 10 sudden resolution, she
turned into the main street, and was soon
siending efore the counter of the baker g
shop. The baker was an ausiere man, but
il was not in human nature 10 resist the
Widows pleading toue and touching express
sion as she taeringly asked him TO trust her
10 loaf Of bread for day or two. The man
handed the loai reluctantly, and was about
TO insist no prompt payment, when a glance
at the widows painfully flushed face and
embarrassed manner deferred him. With
scarcely audible thanks, she concealed the
loaf under her iattered shawl, and drawing
her babe closer 10 her bosom, has,ened
home.
"Mo,her's come mothers come % cried a
couple of young, eager voices, as she enter
Ell tile gais, an6 tai ScTsp S;a..f ~ pss,,s-.
and his little sister came running TO meet
her. They were pretty children. The little
Mary Inherited her mothers mild blue eyes
and delicate complexion, and The boy his
fathers handsome face and honest brown
eyes. Poor children, they were accustomed d
10 being left alone, for the widow went out
to work daily, and the night was always
welcome that brought their mothers loved
return. They had a thousand things 10 ask
and tell which fell nnheeded this time on The
ear of the sad mother, though she instructive
ly answered them yes and no as occasion
required. She gave the loaf 10 Robert, and
taking little Mary's hand, they entered the
house together. The table was already set
out by the little expeclont housekeepers, but
there was nothing on Il that could be con-
sirued into anything .eatable save cup Of
molasses and some sab. The mother cut a
slice Of bread for each OF her half famished
children, and sat quietly by nursing the
youngest while they ale it, TOR she had no
heartioea, herself. She was very serrow-
ful as che looked at ihose liale dependent
beings and thought Of failing strength, and
shading her eyes with her hand, The tears
stole silently down her pale, patient face, and
fell among The brgh, curls OF the little uncon-
scious head pillowed SO pescefully on her
bosom. She had been sorely afflicted. The
husband of her youth had been stricken
down by falling beam, while attempting 10
save sick child, that had been overlooked
in the hurry and panic from burning build.
ing. The child was saved. but he who per-
illed his life for il, the strong, brave hearted
man had peushed. The fruit of this unio.,
her eldest born, the pride of her heart, the
noble boy whose every movement and ex-
preston had been SO many smiles of bis
buried father, was wanderer she new not
wilher.
Years after the boy bad left her, when
Robert Leedom came often 10 see her il her
lone eliness, and venlured TO tell her at length
how he had loved her from the time they
had played together at school, and ho~ he
had remained single for her sake, and came
back always 10 the same old port that he
might breathe again the same air that she
breaihed, and besoueht her TO LET him sustain
and shield her, to comfort her in sickness
and sorrow, she gladdened the honest sailors
faithful heart BY consenline TO become bis
wife. No wonder The young sailor loved
her, she was SO neat in her habits, so gentle
and Industrious; and her calm, sweet face ant
holy eyes shone with "ihe beauty that dwell
in her soul. She had learned 10 love her
second husband, and had borne hum three
fair children, when the sad news came thai
the gallant vessel in which he had sailed,
was wrecked Oh the dangerous coast near
Ahsecom. and in his generous efforts 10 save
others, Robert Leedom was lost. She had
been widow the second time only six
months, aud now, as she thought of her Ut
Ter inability 10 support her atheress children,
even in ibe summer lime, and saw no other
rrospect before her whichever way she look
ed, aud knew that the cold, dreary winter
was coming gradually on, her heart failed
1 - ,,ttarls, au, he ,anld oofxs xuoan n