Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-01-04
III sttlla nc j 1t 5, .
The Widows Mite.

~ was Inc last H'Silt oi tIc year. ~
widow Burges sat alone in her apartmcu
for she rented but one, and that was ;
small and scantily furnished room. tilongl
she managed 10 make it lool, quite spa
cious and comfortable by the disposition o
lts furniture gazing into the eHibcrs
which though they were fast expiring, still
sent out genial warmth.
! Her Work-a hit of nice embroidery
had dropped into the clean white hand
kerehlet which was apfead over he, lap
aud her head was resting on her hand hci
task MAS so near completed that she
that she lndul,ed herself IN 4 luxury she
was but little accustomed to--a moment
cessation from toll. The light Of the lamp
which fell partially on her face revealed a
couutcuance deeply marked with sorrow
aud care: but that face Na. youthful still,
and grief had not barished beauty from
tan,e f,atures-it had but thrown over
them veil which concealed their spark
ling hrIliancv while it made their lowell
ucs. more charming. The peRsive aud
u,lict submr-,ion revealed in the depth Of
/ those large, luStroas black eyes. the calm
ness aud deep thought .of that white brow.
and t,t smile of benevoleucc which play
! ca 'i""'" '' "''"''' II a. '',''" IVA 'h'H.
ltatures 10 iearii thuS 10 look me soul
vas almost cr"sHeu before 1t "ohid forget
It's Pfilc nut now heaven seal was mn
pressed upon that countenance so deeply
that 1t could never be oh!lteratcd.
Alone no the widow was not alone in
herapartnent On the humble couch Ia!
a child Of seven years, Sweetly slumhering.
The little sirl did ut much resemble her
mother i'll hrr features though to the leart
ot her parent she was only the more dear
Tor t'lat Tor III mat sweet niue lace sue
had ever before her the perfect immature
o' hlh "h1m she iotcd 50 Well bnt so uii'
wisely. She loved her the more iondly ior
that Tor th"u%h mere ilau neen hio'heits
wh"n she invoked heavens Interest curse
on hun VINO had Sluaiidered her wealth. az
the dram shnp ana the Sa'lnlii% tipIe' anu
had cruelty nrglected' and finally deserted
lier ana her oa"e-shc lau i"nS aSo pnf,
led the reme'nierance "i ms eflnieS' ana
thought only of the few briet years when
they were happy together
The widow sat resting her head ON her
hand, and gazing INTO the dying emhers'
the night was cold and the snow lay thick
on the earth aud the wind was sweeping
about her dwelling She Thought OF tue
hundreds III that great city VIII" were that
night suffering from hunger and cold, and
her heart went up to heaven IN gratitude
for the nercics with which 1t had Surroun-
ded her, 1t was true all the money she
possessed on earth was hit of silver l.
ing on the table beside her and that she
had promised little Annot should purchase
her, ON the morrow. IL New Years gift.
But then her rent for the next quarter was
paid, she had fuel ana provision enough to
last her for the next fortnight. aud the
work she had sonearly completed would
bring her scanty' hut sure pay; The
widow was thankful for she knew what ut
ter lestitution was
The wind moancd more loudly and sad
IL about her dwelling.
Heaven have mercy on the poor to night
and may not the cry tor charity fall upon