North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-06-14


could find to do; but night before last,
mother was taken sick, and she has since
become so very sick, that'-here the tears
flowed faster tha1 ever-"thatT do fear she
will die. cannot think Of any way in the
world to help her.
81 have not had work for several weeks
have not had the courage to 60 to any of
my mothers old acquaintances and tell them
that che had cpme 10 need charity. thought
you looked like stranger, sir, and some
thing in your face overcame my shame and
gave me courage to speak to you. Oh, sir,
do pity my poor mother %.
The tears, the simple and moving language
o. the poor boy, touched cord in the breast
of the stranger that was accustomed to fre
quent vibrations.
where does your mother live, my boy ?
said he, in husky voice: sic it far from
here 2"
"She lives in the last house on this street,
air." replied Henry. "You caB see it from
here in the third block, and on the left head
side"
"Have you sent for physician 2'
"No, sir" said the boy, sorrowfully; 81
had no money to pay either for a physician
or for medicine"
"Here," said the stranger, drawing some
pieces of silver from his pocket, "here are
three dollars, take them, and run inmedl-
ately for physician"
Henry's eyes flashed with gratitude; be
received the money with stammering, and
almost inaudible voice, but, with gratitude,
he vanished
The benevolent stranger instantly sough,
the dwelling of the sick widow. Hs entered
little room in which he could see nothing
but few implements of female laonr-a mis-
erable table, an old bureau, and little bed,
which stood in one corner on which the in
valid lay. She appeared weak and almost
Exhausted, and on the bed at her feet, sat
lit boyfcrying as if his heart would break.
Deeply moved at the sight, the stranger
drew near the BEDSIDE of the inve lid, and,
feigning to be physician, inquired into the
nature Of her disease. The symptoms were
-xpl aimed in few words, when the widow,
with deep sigh, added: 'Oh my Sickness
has deeper cause, and one which 10 beyoad
the art of physicians 10 cure! am q moth
era wretched mother. Isee my children
sinking daily deeper and deeper in want,
which have no way Of relieving. My sick
ness is o. 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 childred would be plunged If
-" (here emotions checked her utterance,
and the tears flowed unrestrained dowa her
cheeks; but the pretended physician. spoke
80 consolingly to her, and manifested SO
warm sympathy Cor her condition, that the
heart of the poor woman throbbed with
pleasure that was unwonted.)
"Do not despair" said the stranger think
only of recovery and of preserving life tha:
IS so precious to your children. Can / write
prescription here ?''
The poor widow took little prayer book
from the hands of the little child who sat
with her on the bed, and, tearing out blank
leaf, L have no othsr," she said, but perhaps
this will do.
The stranger t'ok pencil from his pocket,
and wrote few lines upJn the paper.
"This prescription, you will find of great
service to you. Unnecessary, will write you
a second. have great hopes of your recov.
cry"
He laid the paper on the table. and depart-
ed. Scarcely wes he gone when the eldest
son returned.
"Cheer up, dear mother, said he, see what
a kind, benevolent stranger has gwen US! IL
enables US to have physician, and he will be
here in moment"
"Come nearer. my SOB, answered the mo-
ther "Come nearer, that may bless You
A physician has just been here. He left that
prescription on the table; see ifyou can read
u.n - ...s.. ..... --..
Henry glanced at the paper, and started
back. f.
"What is it, my son Z" exclaimed the wid-
ow, tremb ling with apprehension of she knew
not what.
The mother took the paper from the hands
OF tho son, but no sooner fixed her eyes upon
it than she exclaimed. 'My God! it is WASH
INGToN % and fell back fainting.
The writing was an obligation from Wash
ington, by which the widow was TO receive
the sum Of one hundred dollars from his own
private property, to be doubled in case of ne
cessity.
Meanwhile the expected physician made
his appearance, and soon awoke the mother
from her fainting fit. The joyful surprise
together with good nurse with which the
physician provided her, and plenty of whole
some food, restored her to per feet health.
| Let the children who read this story re-