The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-25

and listened to the modest, humble tones
which accompanied his petition.
You do not look like boy that has
been accustomed to beg for his bread, /"
said he, kindly laying his hand on the
boys shoulder; Is what has driven you to
this step?"
Indeed" answered Henry, his tears
beginning to flow afresh, " indeed, was
not born in this condition, but the mis-
fortune Of my father, and the sickness of
my mother, have driven me to the ne
cessity now"
"Who is your father ?" inquired the
gentleman, still more interested.
My father was a rich merchant in
this city, but he became bondsman for
friend, who soon after failed, and he
was entirely ruined. He conld not live
! long after this loss, and in one mouth he
/ died of grief, and his death was more
dreadful than any of our trouble. by
mother, my little brother, and myself
sunk into the lowest depths Of poverty.
Ny mother has, until now, managed to
support herself and my little brother by
her labor. and | have earned what [ could
by Shovelling snow and other work that
I could find to do. But night before
last mother was taken very sick, and she
has since become so much worse that, y
here the tears flowed faster than ever
" that | do fear she will die [ cannot
think of any way in the world to help
her. have not had any work for sew
eral weeks | have not had the courage
to 90 to any of my mothers old acquaint-
ances, and tell them she had come TO need
charity | thought you looked like a
stranger, sir, and something in your face
ove.came my shame and gave me courage
to speak to you. Oh, sir, do pity my
poor mother"
The tears, and the simple and moving
language of the poor boy, touched chord
in the breast of the stranger that was ac
customed to frequent vibrations.
"Where does your mother live, my
boy? said he, in husky voice; is it far
from here ,"
'.She lives in the last house on this
street, sir" replied Henry. You can
see 1t from here, in the Sd block on the
left hand side
Have you sent for a physician ?"
"No, sir, said the boy, sorrowfuily
shaking has head. - [ had no money TO
Pay either for physician or medicine y
Here" said the stranger, drawing
some pieces of silver from his pocket.
" here are three dollars. take them, and
run Immediately for physician"
Henry's eyes flashed with gratitude
he received the money with stammering
and almost inaudibe voice, but with a
look of warmest gratitude he vanished.
The benevolent stranger instantly sought
the dwelling Of the sick widow. He
entered little room in which he could
see nothing but few implements Of fe-
male labor--a miserable table, an old
bureau, and little bed which stood in
the corner, on which the invalid lay. She
appeared weak aud almost exhausted
and on the bed at her feet sat little boy,
crying as if his heart would break. Deep
! near the bedside of the invalid, and feign
. ing to be physician, inquired into the
} nature of her disease. The symptoms
, were explained in a few words, when the
widow, with a deep sigh, added, ''Oh,
my sickness has deeper cause, and one
which is beyond the art of the physician
to cure. [ aun mother--a wretched
mother see MY children sinking daily
deeper and deeper in want, which have
no means OF relieving. My sickness is
Of the heart, and death alone can end my
/, sorrows; but even death is dreadful to
me, for it awakens the thought of the
misery into which my children would be
plunged, it" Here emotion checked
, her utterance, and the tears flowed unre-
strained down her cheeks But the pre-
tended physician spoke SO consolingly to
l her aud manifested so warm sympathy
:. for her condition, that the heart of the
poor woman throbbed with pleasure that
was unwonted.
DO net despair" said the stranger,
g think only of recovering and Of preserv-
ing life that is so precious to your chill
dren. Can write prescription here?"
The poor widow took little prayer
r book from the hands of the child WHO sat
on the bed with her, and tearing out a
blank leaf, &" | have no other," said she,
! q but perhaps this will do"
The stranger took a pencil from his
pocket and wrote a few lines upon the
paper
''This prescription" said he, "you
will find of great service to you. If it is
necessary, l will write you second. |
: have great hopes of your recovery
; He laid the paper on the table and
) departed. Scarcely had he gone when
: the eldest son returned.