Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-01-22
FELIX AND THE FREELY.
FROM THE GERMAN .

Mary, poor widow, was seated by the win
dow of her little ROOM and was looking out
on the orchard that surrounded her cottage.
The grass, which had been mown that morn
ing, was made up into cocks, and the delight
full and refreshing perfume was waited in at
the window. The sky was clear and cloud.
less, ami moon shOne into the room, casting
the shadow Of the windows and the vines
which surrounded them an the floor.
Her little Felix, child of six years old,
was standing near her, and his blooming
face and golden hair were lighted by the
moon.
The poor young widow sat there to rest
herself, but great as the labor of this hot
day had been to her body, still greater
pain oppressed her mind, and made her for
getful of her weariness. There stood by her
basin of milk and bread, of which she had
scarcely tasted spoonful. Felix was quite
disturbed, and did not play or make any
noise, because he saw his mother so unhappy.
He also, on observing that she wept bitter
ly, instead of eating his supper, had laid his
spoon aside, and his little earthen basin
stood nearly full on the table.
Mary had become widow in the begin
ming of the Spring Her husband, one of
the best Young men in the village, had laid
by so much money by his industry, and fra
gality that he had bought this little cottage
and orchard, but had not quite enough to
pay for them. The poor man had planted
the green with young fruit trees, which al
ready bore fine fruit. He had chosen for
his wife, Mary, an orphan, pious and in
dustrious young woman, who had been well
brought up. They were living happily to-
gether when the typhus fever came, and the
husband died. Mary too, who had nursed
him through his illness with the greatest
care. took the fever, and was very near join
ing him in death.
On recovering from her illness she found
her circumstances were very bad. Still she
hoped not to be obliged to quit her cottage
Her husband had long been in the service of
q rich farmer, who had valued and respect
ed him for his industry, fidelity, and good
character, and who when he bought this
house and garden, had lent him 800 forms,
on condition of being repaid twenty five flo
rims yearly. This had been puctually paid
every year until the time of his illness, and
the debt now only amounted to ifty forms,
died of the fever His heir, the daughter S
husband, found the bond for 300 forins
among his father in law papers. He knew
nothing Of the circumstances, and demanded
the whole sum of the widow.
The poor woman assured him that her
husband had paid $50 forms, but this avail
ed her nothing. The young farmer did not
believe her. and took her before Il magistrate
As she could give no proof that any part of
the sum had been paid, she was declared IL
able for the whole debt; the young farmer
was impatient for his money, and as poor
Mary had nothing but her cottage and gar
den, these must be sold to meet the demand
She had implored the farmer to have pity
on her; her little Felix joined his cntrea-
ties to hers, but all in vain, and she had new,
just an hour before her day s work was, en-
ded, learned from a neighbor that the sale
was appointed for the following morning.
1t was on this account that she was sitting
so mournfully at the window, looking some
times up to heaven, and then again at her
little boy at one moment weeping bitterly,
and the next plunged in the deepest melan-
choly.
"Ah," said she within herself, 81 have
made hay to-day for the last time in my lit
tie garden the first yellow plums which [
plucked to day for my Felix are the last that
my child will ever enjoy from the tree which
his father planted for him perhaps this is
the last night we shall spend under this roof
Tomorrow the house will be the property of
another; and who knows whether we may
not be turned out Immediately? Where
shall we find shelter tomorrow! Perhaps
we may have no roof to cover US? And
she began to sob violently
Felix, who till now had not stirred came
nearer, and said. "Mother, do not weep SO
bitterly. Do you not know what my father
said when he lay dying on his bed? DO
not weep, said he; God is the father OF
the widow and the orphan call upon Him
in the time of trouble, and He will take
care of you He SAID so; is it not true?'
"Yes dear child" said Mary, ''it is in
deed true.
well them said Felix, "why do you
cry so? Pray to God, and He will help you.
o, when l was with my father in the forests
and he was cutting wood, if | was hungry,
or if thorn had run into me, did not cry
good deal; went to my father (for he was
then alive), and he gave me bread, or he
took out the thorn. And God is our Faith
er, and will He not help US, His children p
Yes" said the poor mother, still crying.
"My father often said the whole world
was Gods; then why should We weep
Come, mother, let us pray to God He will
certainly help vs..
MY dear child, you are in the right,
said Mary, and her tears were somewhat
moderated, and comfort began 10 take the
place of grief. She knelt down and raised
her eyes and hands to heaven and the little
child did so too. Mary began to pray, and
Felix repeated each word after her
"Holy and Heavenly Father" said she,
''loOk upon the widow and her child. A
poor widow and poor orphan look up to
Thee; we are in great want. and have nc
refuge on earth. We pray to Thee that Thou
wilt not suffer us to sink under our sorrows
but if. in Thy wisdom, Thou seest fit to af-
flict us, help us at least to find another
home and give us comfort in our hearts,
e 1o,oa -, Thee throuph Our