Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-02-16
Correspondence.
MY VALENTINE.

viii the readers of the AGE pardon M
for trespassing upon their time, an(
patience, once more, for a few moments
A Kindness done privately;-'a gift be
slowed in accordance with the Gospel in
JUNCTION to keep the good deeds of the
one hand secret from the other; --ough
not in some instances, to be acknowl
edged publicly. But here, you are all
friends and neighbors, together and
you all know well the princely generosity
OF the Hon. Frederick Billings. 1t will
not, therefore, be improper for me to add
my name, in your sight, to the long list OF
those who are already indebted to him.
No Sooner did he hear Of my misfortune
than he fastened to alleviate it. | value
the gift which | have received from him
and his amiable and accomplished wife,
more than fine gold or gems. rs il came
from their hands, so do intend 10 preserve
ii, to my aging day. OF greater aue still
Is the cordial and sympathetic letter which
accompanied the gift.
In other days, each member of that
family called me "frienl." | am deeply
touched to see how nobly its surviving
members stand by me, now, in the hour
ofmy need. Mr. L. n. Billings is one of
my creditors. Yet he has never reminded
me of my debt, since, at my own request
he sent in his bill, now more than two
years ago. TO Mrs. f. N. Billings, am
indebted for most charming New Years
letter. In giving me the assurance of her
sincere fricndship,-"in the new year, as
in the old, brought light and COM
fort into one ofmy darkest hours. can
not refrain from thanking her here.
l also tender my sincerely grateful ac-
acknowledgement of the favor shown me by
Hon. James Barrett, in answering, with
the utmost kindness letter from my
hand, at time when he was himselfover.
whelmed with pressing work, of legal,
and most important nature.
Finally, Mr.. McMastcr, must not refuse
to allow me to thank him and his amiable
wife, for the first kind words spoken to
me, in connection with this most painful
subject. Their own hearts were wrlng
with far deeper trouble, all the while. -
My old schoolmate said to me sadly
~ have lost something that can never be
recalled" Yet they could hasten to COM
fort me;-not with words alone, but with
prompt and effectua services which
never can forget. | wish could bestow,
upon them even the fnntcst shadow of the
consolation which their friendly visit left
in my own home. But such consolation
can come only from Him who has taken
away the happiness Of their household, to
restore it, thousand fold one day, when
they attain to the rest above!
And now, one word to the people of
Woodstock Il have been assured, by
letters, by messages, and by word Of
mouth that was mistaken in supposing
you indifferent to my troubles.
lam only too happy to believe such
welcome tidings. What the world at large
may think or say of me, is of little i'm
portancc, in my eyes, compared to what
the world Of Woodstock may say or think.
This is not my native town. But it is the
home Of my childhood, and the only home
! ever knew. 1t would greyc me mex
pressibly, to feel that was regarded here
with general i'll will. The family of my
Mother, have resided in this place, honor
ed and respected, for three generations.
felt, last week, as if, through me- an
eternal disgrace had been brought upon
their name, and / shrank, ashamed, from
every eye!
This week opens more brightly. How
much | am strengthened and encouraged,
by the friendly speeches that have been
reported to me, you may never know
But shall always remember the words,
and treasure them in my heart of hearts
Because they have been spoken, have
fresh courage to resume my work. lit
is successfully completed, it will be owing,
in part, to those whose names | have al
ready mentioned; and in part, to You at
Woodstock, whose names | do not know
although the echo Of your comforting
opinion has not failed to reach my ear.
MARY FRANCIS.
Brghtbank, West Woodstock, !
February, l4th, 1876.