Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-12-27
wElrzS rvn rHE BELAwAKr oArE1Tz.
HoME-PooR.
Br H. WARREN ALLEN.

I
where the maple-tree groes," stands, within a
halfmile of creek, far more noted than itself.
a village. Very quiet and pleasant IS the vii
lage, with its population Of three hundred
persons, all told so quiet and uDpretending
that it Is scarcely known out OF the county in
which il is situated, and we shall not disturb
its peace by calling its name here
In this little village was the home Of Mary
Parker, poor widow. who, three years before
the commencement of eur sketch. had been left
desolate by the death of her husband; not only
! so, but in Strengthened circumstances, with
three young children, the youngest but two
years old, to be supported by the labor of her
hands, and the generosity of those around her,
should her strength fail to perform the task
/ Her husband had been hard-working man,
had commenced life poor, and with a mother
to support as well as his own family, and vet
he bad not only done this, but laid aside sufTi-
eiegt to make the first payments on house
aud lot in the village for home for bis fami-
ly.
While thus toiling, he had been taken Ill,
first confined by cold and sore throat which
would not leave, and changed TO quick CON
sumption, taking him away, leaving the debts
Of the last sickness unpaid and of an amount
sufficient to take the personal effects and still
leave a sum haning over the widows head.
Spite of this Mary Parker did not despond,
for while her hands were strong she was en-
abled to support herself and little ones, and
reduce by Titles the small debts due from her
husband. Thus it passed along, until the sum
ner before which we write, when the last debt
Of this kind was cancelled, and she began to
lay by for the wants Of the winter. But with
the first frosts it Glanced that coming home
one evening from neighbors, to whose house
she had taken some sewing just finished, she
slipped and fell, dislceating her right wrist
aud thus cutting off the funds she derived from
the needle.
1t was a severe blow to her, and it seemed
worse from the fact that she was in great re-
quest to make up clothing for the coming win
ter. But when she caught cold which was
followed by lever, prostrating her on a bed OF
sickness and taking away the sum boarded up
for the necessities Of life, she felt that her lot
was indeed hard OEe. No wonder if she
frtued little when the ehildren's clothing
grew scanty for the season, and the little plans
laid out for their comfort during the coming
winter became impracticabe. Amid these
disappointments there was one thing which
cheercd her much, very much, and that was
her eldest child, u bright handy girl Of eight
years, who seemed in this Time of need to be
almost woman, and by the help of her moth
er's counsel kept matters in the house in good
order. But this was not ali, for she had many
words of encouragement to speak, and her
cheerful voice was singing she went about
her tasks, keeping the mother's mind from lis
troubles. A pleasant little one was uettie
Parker, and this singing was a characteristic
of her, and truly birtl-likc Yoire, caroting
its childish songs, might well cheer the hear.
: that listened.
After time the mother recovered from the
fever, thanks to the attendance of the kind
hearted physician of the villuge and the nurs
ing of Hettie. The wrist did not heal very
rapidly, but at length the spIints and bandagc:
were removed, though it was SO weak that sht
could use it but short time each day.
! The winter came, but the children vet wore
: their old dresses aud staid at home, for th,
mother would not send them thus clad t.
school. This was u severe trial to IIettic
: who enjoyed her school privileges highly. Thei
: food too had grown less in quantity and poor
: er in quality, while the fuel pile grew less eacl
| day, and she knew not whence it would be re
E pleuiShed. Often, too, there was not enougl
) of food or heat for them, and the faces of Iet
: tie, aud little Mary, and Freddie, grew, lik
I the mothers, pinched and blue as the cold day
: came on.
! But had they no ne 8hbors you ask. Yes
!, there we're neighbors, kind and ever willu
to relieve. and would willingly have done thei
whole duty, had they known of the widows dis
treSses, but she was too proud to beg as Ion!
as there was any other possible resource, an
Z those who called on her had no idea of hoy
: poorly off they were.
: 1t was but little way to the splendid res
/ deuce of Richard Darwin, a man well to do i
= the world, a conpection of Mr, Parker, note
IS for his liberality to the public institutions, an
, whose name often appeared in their reports
l. His property had been in the main a legac
f and, with the addit he had made, ampl
n supported his family, consisting of bimsel
| wife and two children.
r Other friends were equally as near, like NJ
l. Darwin, noted for liberal giving to churc
"a objects, and would, doubtless, help did the
Tf but know of her troubles. But they never il
;, quired after objects of charity, taking it f
= granted that all came before them. In tn
y latter rule there was one exception in be
" nearest neighbor, James Evans, a mechan
" with five children depending on his labor.
y This had suficed, however, to support the
IL and buy him the home in which he lived, b
n sides enabling him to give TO the objects
s, charity he found about him; it was said tC
lg much sometimes, and yet he was none the poo
re er for for the giving.
of In all these schemes of doing good he WI
well seconded by his wife and eldest daughtc
the latter not unworthy the love of father al
mother, and who, in the care of the young
ones in the family and taking charge of 9th
n matters at home, seemed almost as much
20 equal as a child. Many choice tit-bit h;
-, she carried to Mrs. Parker during her il!nes
IL and after her recovery. Daring the freque
visits made there, she often noticed that L
"' little children looked hungry, and as oft
-, would she get the story from one of them,
Oo port it at home and receive something fro
Vi, their stores to carry the needy. These at fir
J! were joyGuly received, but after a time NJ
5h- p began to decline them, lest she should
er q burden. Perhaps too, little thing, viii
by occurred about this time, Influenced her to Il
re course.
We Soon after her recovery from the fever, a
or before her arm was recovered sufficiently
ar- allow her to take in sewing, it was that NJ
ar Parker called on Mr.. Darwin for small 10
. for few months, presuming from her conn
ev tioH and his generosity there would be no
,ce fculty in obtaining it. 1t was bard for
cI to do even this, and the struggle was 10
, = ons in her mind, which induced her 10 call
10 any one for help. Beg she would not, a
pi9 only the wants of her children for win
~ NJ clothing and tuition, drove her 10 come at