Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-27

Next .hey drove through the biting
wind and snow to the humble cot OF the
widow Manley. They found her in the
only hablable room of her dwelling,
by fire OF chips aud lagols, with babe
asleep in her lap. and engaged in sewing
a coarse frock. Three other children
were crouchcd By The fire, and The oldest
one not yet eight years old.
Mr.. Manlcy has been one of the many
unfortunates who ARE swept on by rum,
and in the prime of early manhood he
had gone, leaving a wife with four chill
drcn in absolute penury.
The woman would have arisen, but
Sam Green placed his hand upon her
to keep her down.
we have come" said Peter. seeing
that she was anxious and fearful, "to see
how you get along, and also 10 sec il We
cannot help you"
Help me, sr?" uttered the woman in
amazemcnt
Yes. Now tell us plainly how you
arc situated"
The woman WAS silent Tor few mo
mcnts but At length she seemed to regain
her self control. and replied.
"Ah, gentlemen, is all comprised in
three short words. Hunger. cold. aud
nakedncss "
"And if we will supply YOU with food
and fuel for week, can you manage 10
Get along until that lime without more
"Oh.h yes-sirJ BI. what i, il? Who
can care Tor the"
I'VE can. we will, cried the energetic
sam, not so god 10 plan as Peter. bul
bold at execution I'VE six have pledged
ourselves 10 sec You sale Though the
winter. So cheer up aud take hope. lor
neither you nor your children shall suffer
while We ctn help H."
The widows hands ere claspcd, and
her eyes wandered vacantly from one to
the other oil her strange visitors. She
saw the tear of goodness in their eyes,
and her own souls flood burst forth
40 God bless you-bless YOU always -
And shall we have something good
TO eat. mamma. aud something to make
US warm p askel the eldest girl, cIasping
her mothers knees.
"Yes. yes. you shall" exclaimed
Drakc, kissing her clean. pale face -
"You shall have it before supper time.
too"
The widow gradually realized the
whole object OF her visitors. and she tried
to express her gratitude in words, but
they failed her, and streaming tears had
TO tell the tale Of thanks.
After this The society wen, TO the widow
Williams. Hers was neat cot, but they
found suffering painful enough inside
Phillip. louIh oil about their own age,
sat in large stuffed chair. looking pale
and Thin. and wasted away almost to q
skeleton, aud his great blue eyes pecrcd
ut them wOndcrngly as they ertcred
The mother. too. looked careworn and
sick, and tho diy, hacking cough that
sounded in her throat. told how much
she needed proper food and care.
The youths made their business known
and with about the same result. Tie
widow and her son haldIy realized that
such blessing had dawnci upon them.
but when they did realize it their joy and
gratitude knew no bounds.
Look here said Sam Green rs soon
as they had reached the road. lit strikes
me that we are just abou. q week behind
hand. We ought TO have commenced
this work just one week earlier than We
we did, for our nine dollars won't qlite
bring matters all 50 iaro to The present
time But il they were square now they d
keep 50 with our weekly allowance"
by crickee. sam. yoarc night said
Fulton, g!celuliy.
Then let Us commence back two
weeks, ch ?"
IL think So" said Peter.
And all the rest sal 50 TOO. So they
had eighteen dollars instead of nine.
First our party went and bought three
hall cords of wood. which they sent al
orcc to their respective destinations, and
they agreed that when other matters
we're attended to. they wOCld 20 and
work il up Then they went 10 the store
and purchased such articles OF provision
and comlult rs they could agree were
best adapted To meet The wants Of their
charges, and having done this they sep
arated into three parties Of two each. So
rs to have each family provided with as
little delay us possible. Peter and Ly'
man Drake went 10 Uucle lsrael's; San
Green and Fulton to the widow Manley' 5
and Walter Mason and Robinson 10 Mrs.
Williams, and TO each they carried pro
vision enough TO last a week. besides
leaving with each one OF them about a
dollar in change.
When the poor people saw the promis
ed blessing-when they thus met the iru
ition OF their newly raised hopes, their
JOY was almost painful. The noble youths
were blessed over and over again.
The wood was sawed and split and put
under cover, and then the society return.
ed to the village as happy as happy could
be. On the next day they went 10 church