North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-24
PEELED to send for medical aid, as her last
hour seemed approaching. .....,s


This is a deplorable case, truly but your
condition 10 not so serious as your distress
causes you to..imagine. Have you no friends?
81 have, but they are few, and alas poor
also. They have supplied US with the little
they could spare from their own necessities,
but oh, it could be but little and / delayed
applying to the town as long as ! could, be-
cause thought that Frederick would soon
be with me again and then the humiliation
would be unnecessary"
81 wish had known of this before, Mrs.
Lane. 1t would have spared you much pri-
vation and aching of the heart. God alone
can console you for the loss of your husband :;
and though / feel how distressing it must be
for you 10 reflect upon the helpessness of
these young children, let that very reflection
nerve you TO live for them. Trust me you
snail want no longer for the necessaries of
life. Feel no delicacy in accepting this trifie
OF money, and when morning comes supply
your immediate wants, Proper food and re
pose of mind are what You mainly need, aud
that composure will be FASTENED by the as
surance that am aware of all and sonsider.it
a privilege to assist you, out OF. the abundance
with which God has blessed ne. Try and
cheer up, madam. Brighter days will surely
come to you and your affectionate children
will say no more. You need sleep. To-
morrow | will call again and, in the mean
time, rest in the consciousness that you and
your children have found an able and a will.
ing friend in DR.. Herman. Good night, and
good night, children. God will bless you for
the love you bear your mother."
With these words, the physician returned
home, and slept none the less soundly for
his long walk and his benevolent act.
As soon as he had gone, the widow bade
upraised above their orphan heads, she utter
I'd prayer for their dead father, and entreat.
ed the blessing # Heaven upon them and up
IN him ~h" bad been So prompt and kind at
ne call ot her wretchedness and then retir.
ng to rest, the poor woman sank into a
;a,mer and deeper s!eep than she had for
Ing time known; for the kind voice and
looks Of the good man haunted even her
lreamS-and did much TO "razs out the
written troubles of the brain" which had for
yeats troubled her. s,F..--- -.....
Surely if there are guardian angels com
nissinned TO watch over the friendless. ano
ft the soul suddenly out Of darkness when
crowd most thicky, some such
good spirit had that night taken compassion
upon her, converting her extremity into an
agent of relief, and smiled upon tie clouded
sorrow to leave rainbow there.
The sun was not an hour high, when q
knock at the door, answered by little Freddy
the arrival Of man who handed
he boy sealed envelope, saying that it
money due to her. The man then
eft without stating who had sent him
W hen his mother rose the boy gave her the
packet. 1t was opened and found to inclose
ifty dollars. but no note by which she might
lave teld from whom it had come.
Freddy said the man seemed to think he
lid not know him, but the bearer was Thom-
g WinsIow, the hired man of DR.. Te nan
nd this satisfied Mrs Lane that there had
,een no mistake, and that the bounties of
he good physician were not confined to mere
words or reputation 81 s
The possession of so much money, with
which she could pay her most pressing debts,
vaslbetter than medicine to her, and she
lid not hesitate to make use of it that very
morning when her most craving creditors
aled to know what she was going to do
low that her husband was reported dead
She paid them, and their anxiety concerning
lim was greatly lessened. 1rrUs.r y 1888
The payment of these debts caused the
money to 60 as suddenly as il had cjme, van
shing like sbavings in .he fire; so that In
he course of the day, when few poor, but
neighbors called, she consulted
vith'them as to the best means of parting
With the greater part of her, furnitare,,' for
HIS utu uos AV" HoPO EIOA nuSu 'iui IhOI 90
Instance from the kind hearted doctor. roar
Alas, for her she had not been used to
wilderness of continued generosity, save from
hearts whose emotions are their great riches.
These poor people uld not but i'll advise.
fhes were reluctant to say how; for to part
with her husbands goods, those dumb bat
constant friends, so dear to domestic heart,
from long service and association, seemed
ike o step toward utter desolation. ''.2'"' -
. In the midst of their sad interview, DIR.
Herman called again. according to promise,
Ind his cheerful face presented q singular con
trast to the gloom around him. ~1 After fur
ther inquired he proposed solution Of the
difficulty. ".
"Ynu are aware. Madam" said he, with q
smile "tha. I am an Old and experienced
physic an and have seld I'm failed in any
AL II 4 10 1