Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-07-17
THE WIDOWS VISIT.

we nau been QuarTclng, my husband and
|, nearly all the evening. For the last half
hour, however, there had been hull, for |
had been busy putting the children to bcd
and attending to some matters in the kitch-
en- that my servant girl had overlooked
1t was about ten o clock when had finish
ed my round of duties, and sat down again
beside my husband, fully expecting he
would renew our unhappy discussion but
to my great relief, just as he had comnsen-
eed, some one gave our door-bell hearty
ring.
'lt must be some poor distracted thing"
thought |, Ito be ringing this stormy night
for admittance, and so late, too" SO |
sprung quickly to the door, and as | opened
1t, the storm came pelting into my face in a
way which threatened to blind me-
- Con in, y | said to the lady who stood
on the steps. Il think you must be nearly
frozen.
Il am very cod, entering, and running
up to my husband, who sat by the fire. then
extending her hand, she said, Il suppose
you do not recognize me
Yes, it is Miss Boynton.
Mrs. La Fargo now; | have been mar
RED and widowed since you saw me last.
Indeed we'll, Mrs. La Fargo, let me
make you acquainted with my wife," said
he was incapable of looking otherwise
The widow then turned to me and began to
make apologies for thus intruding upon US
at this unreasonable hour.
No intrusion at all, answered my hus-
band; but instead, pleasant surprise; /
assure you We are happy to entertain you"
The pretty lady burst into tears.
Il am glad, she cried, If any one is
glad to see me. Since my husband died, |
nave had a pretty hard life of it. Without
home, | have wandered from place to
place, scarce knowing one day where the
rext would find me. | have one brother,
all the rest OF my near relatives are dead
but he is the least kind to me of any one,
and L do not intend to trouble him any
more. ! have an annual stipend of sixty
dollars, this is far better than othing, but
Is by no means enough to support me.
Ny health is sG.preca ious cannot success
fully engage in any kind of business, so
Know not what will become of me.
Do not despair, my dear woman, you
are young, and hope better days are in
In store for you" | said this in as kind
tone as possible, and my husband quite as
kindly added, You can stay with US as long
as you like, if that will be auy help to you.
Thank you, thank you" she replied, Il
am sure it must be a little paradise here, if
It's anywhere. When first entered your
coy room tonight, and saw you looking so
comfortable and happy, it made me feel
the more lonely and miserable, and wished
a that instant that could fall dead upon
your foor, and thus be relieved OF my un
happy existence"
y looked at my husband, and he at me.
mad we been, and were We happy? Oh,
now that poor woman was deceived If
she, In her unprotected state, was less hap
py than |, pitied her. Still would not
uhdecelve her. Appearances were against
me- my home was comfortable and pleas
ant, and if love had only embelhshed it, it
might, indeed, have been little paradise;
out We had ceased to love each other, he
and L, and only for our children. We should
nave separated long before. For the sake
oi these three sweet faced darlings We live
tLogether still, though quarrels are frequent
between US. | thought | tried to do the
oe>t could, but perhaps | was not an lm-
paruai Judge of my own conduct; he owned
'lat he was exacting and impatient. At all
events, We were both sure we could be hap
pier apart.
After the widow retired, leaving me alone
with my husband, we were at loss to know
nGS t.2s to act, or what to say to each other.
II this woman is really so lonely and un-
Iiared Tor IN consequence of losing her hus
gand' thought |, why would not he, if
si1hliarly situated? | have no friends or
ielations who care anything for me any
more than she has, and nv husband should
ue all IN all to me-" l sat beside him
warming my feet at the CRATE, while indul-