Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-03-14
DEL, THURSDAY, MARCH IA, 1867.

after some time succeeded in procuring sew
ing at pttancc per day, including her
board. Thus time wore away heavily and
her care took away all her bloom and spright
Illness leaving her unuttractive and mean in
appearance. She was compelled TO witness
her children destitute of the nourishment
necessary for their physical development,
besides being in rags and growing up uncared
for; ii is true she attended to their little
aches and pains as best she could, but often
times her older boy who numbered years
enough to talk, clung to her knees with the
piteOus plea, 'mother I'm hungry" which
pierced her heart like dagger, while she
had to turn him away with an empty pio-
mise.
There is nothing so wearing to the mothers
mind as the idea that her offspring are in
want while she is destitute of the means to
supply their needs. Three years have passed
around since the husband and father had left
them, and distressing were the changes
wrought in so shoit time. Winter was
upon them for the third time since they had
been left alone; chilling winds were whist
ling dolefuly around their desolate dwelling,
and as the mother, grandmother and two
children set one cold evening beside very
poor fire, making their supper on few po-
tatoes and a cup of water, fine looking
gentleman in deep mourning entered the
house and took seat, inquiring at the same
time concerning their health. He glanced
around the humble department which bore
marks of the deepest poverty, then cast his
eyes upon the children, one upon the moth
er's knees, the other which she hadj just given
sup of water standing by her side, when
he broke the silence by inquring after her
husband At this the tears started to the
eyes of Mrs. MacD., and with much emotion
she replied, "Ah sir, l have not heard of him
since he left us and am afraid never shall y
"That is very strange" said the stranger,
81 for | am certain he is alive" "Nay,' re-
piled she, "had he been alive, | would have
heard from him." "You must not think so
my good woman, saw him in the West In
dies, and well, only few months ago. "
"Sir," said she, as she wiped the tears from
her cheeks, there must be some mistake
in the case, he certainly would have writ
ten to me-" Then taking her by the hand
he said, II assure you he is alive, for he
desired me to wait upon you with his kind
love- II am much obliged to you, said
she, almost unable to control her emotions.
Mrs. MacD. could not help looking steadily
into the mans face, while curious sensa-
tion took hold of her mind. The voice and
appearance of James MacD. had changed in
the warmer climate of the West Indies, hence
be was not recognized at first, but as soon
as he saw the countenance of Mrs. MacD.
change he pressed her hand tighter, put his
arm around her neck with the endearing ex-
preston, g Do you not know me, my dear
Do you not know me?" After she had re-
covered from the swoon which the sudder
recognition caused, she looked up into bi
face, and he told her of the death of hi
brother in the West Indies, and of the for
tune he had received in consequence, ant
that he now joined her to part no more.
FREELAND, Pa, Feb 9TH. 1867,