The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-03-20
SARAH GOODWIN AND HER poys.

SARAH GOODWIN AND HER BOYS.
Sarah Goodwin was the name of poor
sesms.ress residing in the City Of.
She was net wholly friendless, 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 ages of four TO nine years, struggled
through winters Geld and summers heat,
providing her little family with bread, and
that was all. Meat and Injuries were deni.
ed Sarah Goodwin and her bows. The lat.
ter we're good children. always in their
homes after nightiall, and giving their moth,
er every cen: IL their little earnings as OF.
ten as they found work 10 do.
At last the mother fell sick through her
weary illness she bad no other attendance,
save the occasional help Of neighbcr. and
the constant aid CT her puor little boys. They
were never from her side. and il was touch.
ing to behold their sympathy, their gentle
ministrations; everybody prophesied that
they would be blessed in coming years. for
their thoughtful kindness toward their moth
err.
The widow recoyed, bot it was nov the
heart Of bitter winter, and their little stock
Of fuel was nearly gone. As soon as her
strength permitted she walked through The
cold II cherries day 10 the shop Of her en-.
ployer, aud tald him her pitif0l story. But
il was hard times her illness had made room
for Others as destitute a. herself; in fine,
they had not one stitch Of work 10 give her.
With sinking heart. but praying to keep
her courage up, the poor woman toiled on
from shop TO shop uaiil 1t became late. and
what with tears and the darkness, she could
hardly see her way home.
:" II Mr.. Hart himself had beer there" she
soliloquzed, bending to the strong winds.
and drawing her loTm, :" know be wculd
have given ne work.
As size whispered thus through her chat
tfring teeth, tall man. with long gray
bearJ, passed BIZ her, and as he did so, some
ting fell to the Sidewalk. ard lay upon the
crnsled snow. Sarah paused she had heard
the noise made BY he little packet. and
mysterious impression led her TO search for
il. o. joy il Was perse. heavy, and filed
10 the brim; yellow and shining lay the gold
within is strong reshes, as she carried il TO-.
ward the lighted aiadow.
Nv poor bows, they shall want food 10
more" shs ejaealated fersently; !" this is
gold God pot il IL ny way; he saw ! was
d. pairing"
suddenly, like fash of lightning. the
thought occurred 70 Sarah, that not one cent
Of tie new-fOpnd treasure was honestly hers.
Bat a moment she fingered, pressing the
money with her numbeti fingers, the sorrow.
ful tears chasing down Ter thin cheeks. then
starting forward 10 find the owner Of the
purse, She walked hurriedly up the street.
fearful that the temptation, should she arrive
81 her poor room, and see her hungry chill
tren. might prove to- strong for her integri-
Il.
Opposite the great hotel, as she stood hes.
itatipg what way 10 take, she saw the stran.
ger enter. She knew him by his long slugu.
lar beard and fimidly crossing the street,
she made her way into the social hail. and
there bewiIdered By the light. knew not what
70 say till twice asked BY servant what she
wanted. OF course lie could do ~ more
than describe the stranger " his tall stature
aud strange beard. But he had already gone
ost again; rhe must call on the morrow,
they said, and ask for Mr. Ashcroft.
The nest morning. having eaten nothing,
for She could not touch farlhing u the gold,
DC VS. eNtutNNgA AuAV kaE Nvum NUtHe bat
The stranger. lie arose As she entered, and
galsd with curious air tili she presented
The purse. Then started With pleased sur.
prise, lad dDan III paper. took lie gold and
deliberately counted il over
IL Is all sale he said. "yos have not
taken" -
not one piece. sir." .he cried eagerly.
trembling as lie spoke.
You seem poor, remarked the stranger
cafelessly.
am poor" she rplied.
/" Got family, ! suppose" @..
-Four little boys, sir. an widow"
Iiompb. humPb, 50 supposed; that's
the old story"
Ak Mr.. Hart, the tailor cried the wild.
Ow, stepping forward little; che know,
ms "sil be knows II an poor. am lion.
at"
4 bright red spot TUNED on her cheeks a.
she spoke, and sic forced back the tears.
Now confess" said tie stranger. rising
and walking II and 10 before the Gre. " eop.
Tess that you expected a large reward for
ihis'
81 did think. perhaps" and she turned
hguigering lips 10 ths dnnr.
stop. STOP erred tie stranger; "you
.Bos you never would have returned the