Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-07-31
THE WIDOWS & THE STRANGERS

Once on time two poor old widows
lived in the same hamlet and under the
same roof. But though the cottages
joined. and one roof covered them. they
had each separate dwelling; and although
they were alike in age and circumstances.
yet in other respects they we're very diff
ferent. For ono dame was covetous.
though she had little to save, and the
other was liberal. though she had little to
give.
Now on the rising ground. opposite to
the widows cottages. stood mon as;cry.
where few pious and charitable retliren
spent their time in prayer. labor and good
works And with the alms of these monks,
and the k'nlness Of neighbors. and be-
cause their wants were few. tho old wo-
men dwclt in tolerable comfort. aud bad
daily bread. and lay warm at night.
Now one evening. when the covc,ous
old widow was having supper. there came
knoek. at her door. Before she opened
il she hastily put away the remains of her
meal. For said she. it is q stormy
night. and ten to one some bela,cd vaga.
boud wants shelter. and when there arc
vic,uals on the table every fool must bs
asked to SUP
When. however, she opened the door
a monk. with his eowl pulled over hi.
head to shelter him from the storm. Stepped
into the cottage. Much disconcerted a,
having KEEP, one of the brotherhood wait.
ing. tho widow loudly apologised. aud
busted a chair for her reverend guest;
but the monk stopped her string ofregrets,
adding: Il fear cut shor: your evening
meal. my daughter
Now. in the name Of ill-luck. how came
he to guess thatT thought tae widow, as
with anxious civility she began to press
the monk to take some supper after his
walk; for the good woman always felt hos
pitably inclined toward any one whO was
likely to return her kindness seven fold.
The brother. however. refused to sup.
and as he seated himself the widow looked
sharply through her spectacics to see il
she could gather from any charitable dis.
tention of the folds ofhis cloak whether q
loaf. bottle Of cordial. or a new winter.
cloak were mos, likely to crown the visit
No undue pro,uberance being visible about
the monks person. she turned her eyes to
his face. and found that her visitor wa.
one Of the brotherhood whom she had no,
seen before. And not only was his face
unfamiliar. but it was utterly unlike the
kindly bu; rough couu,enances Of hel
charitable patrons. Not that she bad ever
seen boosted the noble beauty. the chiscled
and refined features of the monk before
her. And she could not but ro,ce that
although only one rush light illuminated
her room. and though the monks cow
went far to shade even from that, vt Z
bright light always seemed TO be on hi:
face. making his clear skin aim ost trs.spa
rent. Her curiosity must haze beer
greatly stirred. had not her prevailing
passion of greed made her more anxiou.
to learn what be brought than who b,
| was
't's terrible night quo.h the monk
at length. Such tempest without only
gives point to the indoor comforts Of the
wealthy; but it chills the very marrow o
the poor and destitutc.'
| an, luueeu, suiHcl the WIDOW with
shiver. If it we're no. for the charity o
good Christians. what would poor folks d,
for comfort on such an evening as this?'
IL was that very thought. my daush
ter said the monk. With . sudden earn.
estness on his shining face. that brought
me forth even now through the storm tt
year cottage
Heaven reward your cried the widow
fervensly.
Heaven does reward the charitable,
replied the monk. To no truth do ths
Scriptures bear such constant aud uubro.
ken witness even 40 it is written; .Hs
that hath pity upon the poor lende,h ustc
the Lord. and look. ~hai be hye,h out il
shall be paid him again
What blessed thirg il must Be to b
able to do good said the widow. piousl,
wishing in her heart that the holy mar
would not delay 10 earn bis recompense
My daughser.' said the monk. .thaI
blessing 10 not withheld from you. L
il 10 ask your help for thoss in create,
need than yourself that | am come to
right Aud forthwith The gc,i trethe,