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

Once on o time two noor old WILLOWS
lived in the same hamlet and under the
same roof. But though the cottages
joined. and one roof covered them. they
bad each a separate dwelling; and al,hougl,
they were alike in age aud circumstances.
yet in other respects they were very diff
fercnt. For ono dame was covetons.
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 q mon astery,
where few pious and charitable brethren
spent their time in prayer, labor anl good
works. And with the alms OF these monks,
and the kindness Of neighbors. and be-
cause their wants we're few, the old wo-
men dwclt in toerable comfort. and had
daily bread, and lay warm at night,
Now one evening. when the covetous
old widow was having supper. there came
a knock at her door. Before she opened
i, she hastily put away the remains Of her
meal. For said she, it is stormy
night. and ten to one some belatcd vaga-
bond wants shelter. and when there arc
vic,uals on the table every fool must be
asked to sup
When. however. she opened the door.
monk. with his cowl pulled over his
head TO shelter him from the storm. stepped
into the cottage. Much disconcertcd a.
having kept one of the brotherhood wait
ing, tho willow loudly apologized. and
busted n chair for her reverend guest;
but the monk stopped her string Of grets,
adding: 4 fear cut short your evening
meal. my daughter
Now. in the name OF ill-luck, how came
he to guess that! 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 fel. hos
pitably inclined toward any one who was
likely to return her kindness seven fold.
The brother. however. refused 10 sup,
and as he seated himself The widow looked
sharply through her spectaclcs to see il
she could gather FROM any charitable dis
tention of the folds Of his cloak whether a
loaf. bottle Of cordial, or a new winter
cloak were most likely to crown the visit.
No undue protuberance being visible abou,
the monks person. she turned her eyes to
his face. aud found that her visitor was
one of the brotherhood whom she had not
seen before. And not only was his face
unfamiliar, ta, it was utterly unlike the
kindly but rough countenances Of her
charitable patrons No; that she had ever
seen boastcd the noble beauty. the chiseled
aud refined features of the monk before
her. And she could not but rotiee that,
although onl one rush light Illuminated
her room. and though the monks cowl
went far to shade even from that, vt a
bright light always seemed TO be on his
iace. making his clear skin almos ,ranspa-
rent. Her curiosity must have becn
greatly stirred. had not her prevailing
passion of greed made her more anxious
to learn wha. he brought than WHO he
was.
It's terrible night quosh :be monk
at length. Such tempest without only
gives point to the indoor comforts of the
wealthy; but j. chills the rery marrow VI
the poor and destitute
'Ah. indeed. snitseJ the widow with q
shivcr. If j, we're not for the charity OF
good Christians, what would poor folks do
for comfort on such an evening rs this!'
IL was tina, very thought. my daush-
ter, said the monk. With . sudden earu-
estaess on his shining face. that brough,
me forth even now through the storm to
your cottage
Heaven reward you" cried the widow,
ferveutly.
Heaven does reward the charitable. :
replied the moak. To no truth do the
Scriptures bear such constant and unbro-
ken witness even as il is written: He
that hath pity upon the poor lendeih unto
the Lord. aud look. wha, he !ays,h on, it
shall he paid him again
What blessed thing it must be to Be
able 70 do good said the widow. piously
wishing in her heart that the holy man
would not delay to earn his recompense.
Nj daughter. said the monk. that
blessing il not withheld from you. II
is 10 ask Jour help for those in greater
need than yourself that | au come to-
rixls' Aad forthwith the good brother