Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-08-04
MISCELLANEOUS
TEE TWO WIDOWS.

S%NCE on time, two poor old widows lived
~ in the same hamlet and under the snme
roof But though the cottages Joined aud
one roof covered them, they had each sep
arate dwelling; and although they we're alike
IN age aud circumstances yet in other respects
they were very different. For one dame was
covet"us, 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 monastery, where
few riOuS and charitable brethcrn srent their
time in prayer labor and good works. And
with the Inns Of these monks, and the kind>
ness of rci@hbors, and because their wants
we're few. the old women dwclt in to!orable
comfort, aud had daily bread, aud lay warm
at might
Now one evening, when the covetous old
widow WIS having supper. there came "a knock
at her door. Before she opened it she hasti
ly put away the remains Of her meal For"
said she, sit is st":tuY night aud zen to one
some hela'cd vsgabord wants shelter; and
wh"u thero arc vituals on the table every fool
mn-t he asked to sup"
When, however, she opened the door, a
monk, with his cow pulled over his head to
shelter him frGm the storm, stepped into the
one OF tie brotherhood waiting. the widow
loudly apologized and busted chair for her
reverend guest hut the monk stopped her
srriug Of regrets, adding, Il lear cut short
your evening meal. my daughter
''Now in the name of illuck, how came
he to guess that?" thought the widow, rs
with anxious civility she began to press the
monk to take some supper after his walk for
the good woman always felt Hospitality in>
cIlned towards any one who was likely to re-
turn her kindness sevenfold.
The brother, however, refused to sup;
and as he seated himself the widow locke ed
sharply through her spectacles TO see if she
could gather from any charitable distention
of the folds of his frock, whether a LOST. a
bottle of cordial, or new wiuter's cloak were
most likely to crown the visit No undue
protubernnce being visible about the monks
person, she turned her eyes to his face, aud
found that her visitor was one the brother
hood whom she had not seen before Aud
net only was his face unfamiliar-it was utter
ly unlike the kindly but rongh countcuances
OF her charitable patrons. Not that she had
never seen hoasted the noble beauty the chis>
elled aud refined features Of the monk before
her. And she could not but notice thet, al
though only the rushlight Illuminated her
room. and though the monks cOwI went far
to shade him even from that, yet bright
light always seemed to be on his face, making
his clear skin almost transparent Her Gu
riosity must have been greatly stirred had not
her prevailing passion of greed made her moro
anxious to learn what be brought than who
he was.
''It's terrible night" quoth the monk at
length "Such tempest without only gives
point to the indoor comforts of the wealthy;
but it chlls the very marrow of the poor aud
de-titute"
''Ah, indeed :" shifted the widow with
shiver. IF it was not for the charity of good
Christians, what would poor folks do for com.
fort on such an evening this ?"
alt was that very Thought, my daughter"
said the monk, with sudden earnestness on
his shining face, "that brought me forth even
now through the storm to your cottage"
"Heaven reward you' cried the widow
fervently.
piled the monk. ITO no truth do the Scrip>
lures hear such constant and nnbroken wits
ness, even as it is written: He that hath
pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord and
look, what he layeth out it shall be paid him
again"
''What blessed thing it must be to he able
to do good y said the widow, piously, wishing
in her heart tha, the holy man would not de-
lay to earn his recompeuse.
"Ig daughter" said the monk, "thot bless
sing is not withheld from you. 1t is to ask
your help for those in greater need than your.
self that am come to night" And forthwith
the good brother began to tell how two stran.
gers had sought shelter at the monastery
Their house had been struck by lightning
and burned with all it contained; and they,
themselves. aged, poor and friendless, were
exposed to the fury of the storm. "Our
house is a poor one" continued the monk
The strangers lodging room was already full,
and we are quite without the means of maxi
ing these poor souls comfortable You at
least have a sound roof over your head. and
if you c.n spare one or two things for the
night. they shall be returned to morrow, when
some of our guests depart.