Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-11-17
JOIN MOLF'S WIFE.

About five years ago, John Oil DOCK
Keeper married nice, pretty little girl, up in
his native village, in Vermont, brought her
down to New Y ork, and started house-keep-
ing in 4 very snug cottage, in Brooklyn. /
was invited to the hOuse-warming, and more
delightful evening does not often checker the
dull business of life than we passed. There
we're not over a dozen of us, male and female,
but we were all old cronies, and intimate
enough to be free and pleasant together, as
we would be at home.
The party broke up at twelve, and Mrs. Dick
and myself trotted home, as well satisfied with
evenings enjoyment as need be.
.just one week after that, my wife told me,
with tears in her eyes, that John VOLTS book
keeper had been quite unwell for two days
past, and not an hour before, had suddenly ex
pired, while sitting by the fire-side, with
scarcely 4 SpaSm or 4 pang. disease OF the
heart had carried him off thus unexpectedly.
and his wife was in terrible affiiction.
did not lose moment in running around
to his house, and offering what little sympathy
and assistance it was in my power to bestow;
and of course, took upon myself TO do what
ever was necessary upon sad an occasion
The Young widow WAS terribly cut down, and,
at such distance from her own friends and
relatives seemed more than usually forloIn.-
5Ye did all we could to relieve her Affections,
and, after the funeral had taken place, sue
ceeded in cSlming her grief to some extent.
! then took the liberty of inquirlng little
into her affairs, and discovered that my poor
friend, with carelessncss which was too char
acteristic of him, had involved himself con-
sIderably in debt, to furnish his house Tor his
Young wife's comfort, having purchased every
PARTICLE of their household goods upon credit
This matter undertook TO arrange for her |;
and by going round among the various cred
itors persuaded the most of them TO take their
goods back by my paying them small per
Centage for their trouble in packing and hxiug-
-, fl.nN- FNfR p1IfrA
of hundred dollars the funeral expenses were
one hundred and fifty more, and she had not
twenty dollars in the world, toward 1t.
The next morning, therefore, saw me at
John Volts store he had just returned from
business tour, South and was quite shocked
TO hear of his book ll-llecper's sudden death. l
briefly related to him the situation IN which
the Young wife had hcen left. and the arrange
ments had made with creditors, and awaited
his answer.
..CaII as you go home this evening"" said
he, ssand will attend to it. L am very busy
now.''
when called in the evening, he handed me
a letter for the widow, and, begging me TO lei
him know If he could be of any service in the
future he started for home, and did likewise
left the letter with the widow as wen
home, and after supper, Mrs. DICK and nysel
walked over 10 see her, q little curious, mus
saw TO know the contents of John Woifs letter
yorable opinion of John Wolf; he had alway!
seemed 10 me, overbearing and proud, anC
looked, thought, as many young men 90
who have never known anything OF making
living for themselves, and are very apt 10 thlhl
that they are made out of rather superior stui
to the rest of us, and must he looked up U
and smiled upon by all the rest of the world
But I tell You got new sight into the hu
man heart when l read that letter. 1t was
without exception, the kindest, most feeling
most consoIing letter / ever read-So full o
deep sympathy for her sudden loss, so over
flowing with expressions of esteem ana reGar.
for her husband, and winding up Win sehti
ments SO divine and heavenly trust III a
overruling Providence, and the sweet consoia
t;on of religion. that declare | could scarce
Iy think the letter could have emanated fror
n man so wholly engrossed in himself, as Ii
ALWAYS seemed to be. The letter, moreover
contained hi. individual check for SlOOo, I
meet, he said, the expenses incident TO SO suo
den and unexpected a bereavement
s.Well, John Wolf," said /, "after this WI
never again Judge man from appearances
Tbe young widow returned to her friends
Vermont. and what followed, although L di
not get acquainted with the facts unfli yer
short time ago, shalt proceed TO tell you
the order they occurred.
Within week or so after her arriVai at he
old home. John Wolf received letter froi
her father. returning him the thousand dollar
so kindly advanced to his daughter, WIN
profusion of thanks for his kindness TO ms "
reaved daughter, and expressing strons "
sire TO be able to repay it by any seIslce
might be in his power to perform IN return.
But there was another enclosure, WHO
John, it seems, thought great deal more
bout, than the old mans and the thousand oo
lars, and this was letter from the young WIZ
ow Eerself, so brimful of gratitude that ne %
gan to be almost ashamed to think that be hs
done so little for rich a return, and WI
rather sorry that he had not found time
comfort her sore affiiction.
do not know exactly how it came abou
but one letter brought on another, until a pre-
ty regular correspondence sprang up betwe'
them, 1t happened, also, that the widow