Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-11-08

The thousand, thousand things that have no name.
All these In some far hidden corner lie,
Within the mystery of that secret drawer,
Whose magic springs, tho stranger hands may touch
Yet none may gaze upon its guarded store.
--4+~>,S ..
. Sarah Goodwin and her ROys.
TRUE STORY.
Sarah Goodwin was the name of a poor
seamstress, residing in, the city of New
York. She was not wholly friendless; but
those whom she knew, and would have aid
ed her in her struggles, were very poor,
and could not So she, a widow, and four
boys from the ages of four and nine years,
struggled through the winters cold and
summers heat, providing her little family
with bread, and that was all. Her boys
were good children, always in their home
after nightfall, and giving their mother
every cent Of their little earnings as often
rs they found work to do. AT last the
mother fell sick, and through weary ILL
ness she had no other attendance save the
occasional help of a neighbor and the con-
stant aid of her poor little boys. 1t was
touching to behold their kind ways, and to
hear their gentle words. Everybody said
that they would be blessed in coming years,
for their thoughtful love towards their mo-
ther.
The widow recovered, but it was now the
middle Of winter, and their little stock of
fuel was most gone. AS soon as her
strength permitted, she walked through
the cold of cheerless day 10 the shop
of her employer and told him her pitiful
story. But he said it was hard times; her
illness had made room for others as desti
tute as herself, and they had not one stitch
of work to give her. With sinking heart,
but praying to keep her courage up, the
poor woman toiled on from shop to shop,
until it became late; and, what with tears
and darkness, she could hardly see her
way home.
"lf Mr.. Hart had himself been there"
she said to herself, bending to the strong
wind, and drawing her scanty shawl closer
about her form, 81 know he would have
given me work"
As she whispered thus through her chat
tering teeth, a tall gentleman passed by
her; and as he did so, something fell to the
side walk, and lay upon the crusted snow.
Sarah paused. She had heard the noise
made by the little packet, and strange
impression led her to search for it. Oh!
joy it was purse, heavy and filed to the
brim; yellow and shining lay the gold with
in, as she carried it to lighted window.
"My poor boys, they shall want food no
more" she cried; "this is gold think
that God must have put it in my way, for
he saw was in despair"
Suddenly, like flash of lightning, the
thought occurred to Sarah, that not one
cent of the treasure was honestly hers
But moment she fingered, pressing the
money with her numbed fingers, the sor-
rowful tears chasing down her thin cheeks;
then, starting forward to find the owner of
the purse, she walked hurriedly up the
street, fearful that the temptation, should
she arrive at her poor room, and see her
famishing children, might prove too strong
for her honesty.
Opposite the great hotel, as she stood
thinking which way to take, she saw the
stranger enter. She knew him by the long
hair which curled to his shoulders, and,
timidly crossing the street, she made her
way into the hall, and there, bewildered
bv the light, knew not what to say, till
twice asked by the servant what she want
ed. Ofcourse, she could do no more than
describe the stranger by his tall stature and
flowing hair. But he had already gone
out again; she must call again on the NOR
row, they said, and ask for Mr.. Asheraft.
The next morning, having eaten nothing,
(for she could not touch farthing of the
gold,) she was admitted into the room
where sat the stranger. He arose as she
entered, and gazed with a curious air, till
she presented the purse. Then he started
with pleased surprise, laid down his paper,
took the gold and carefully counted il over.
ut is all SAFE" he said; "you have not
taken" .-f
"Not one piece, sir" she cried eagerly,
trembling as she spoke. ~
"You seem poor" said the stranger.
~ am poor" she replied. #, ~.
"Got family, / supposeP' .- ..t
"Four little boys, sir; am a widow"
"Humph SO l suppose; that is the old
story" a'- N
"Ask Mr.. Hart, the tailor" cried the wild
ow, stepping forward little; "he knows
INC Well' ne knows that tnough am poor,
/ am honest" ~ -. ~ .5,t-. .5s,,s.'a
A bright red spot burned on her cheeks
as she spoke, and she forced back the tears.
"Now, confess" said the stranger, rising
and walking TO and fro before the fire; "tell
me did not you expect very large reward
for this 7" IN "a ..-..
'I did think, perhaps ~ and she
turned with quiyering lips to the door.
"Stop, stopP cried the stranger; ''you
know you would never have returned the
purse, had you not expected to be well paid
for it, --@ 49, n
'Sir p said the widow, her voice rising
beyond its usual tone, and her thin form
erect, f..',.5 ,..... -. n, =. 49,, : ~.
The stranger paused, holding the purse
ip bis hand then drawing forth. q small
coin, offered il to her = 49,, II