Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-04-24

IetharEy Of her grief by the reception Of
9 legal paper. giving notice that the
balance OF money due on the house
must be paid BY q certain date, or II
would be sold Ia satisfaction Of the
mortgage. To whom could she 20 in
this extrimety2 Alasl there was no one.
In losing her husband she had lost her
only human friend, supporter, and pro-
teet0r. She was alone In. the world.
The extrmity Of her situation quick
ened into life all the energy OF Mrs.
BoufeId's nature. She looked at her
three fatherless children, then at her
small weak hands, by which alone their
bread was to be wrested from the world,
and then upward to God for guidance
and help. For a whole day after re-
ceiving the legal notice she cast about,
helpless In her mind, for means Of es-
cape from the threatened danger. Not
q single neighbor came In during the
time to help or comfort her. II the
house had been paid for, and a home
thus secured, Mrs. Bonfield would have
seen the way clear. Before her mar
riage she had learned the trade ofa mill
liner, and, being woman of considera-
BILE taste, she felt sure that she could
turn her skill to good account in the
support Of her children. But If her
home was taken from her, what could
she do?
In her painful suspense and anxiety
she went 10 the man who held the
mortgage, and telling him her plans,
besought him to let the debt lie for one
year, and sell then, If she couldn't pay
the interest and a part of the debt. But
he would listen to nothing. The chance
had come to make gain of oppression,
and he would not let it pass.
The poor widow went back in dispair
to her children, and sat down among
them, weeping and wringing her hands.
Her oldest child, girl of six years of
age, tried to tell her something; but her
ears were deaf. E
"Mother," said the child, with the
eagerness of one who seemed to forget
Everything for herself #f
"Not now, my dear,n and Mrs. Bon
field tried to push her away.
"But the man told me to give it to
you as soon as you camein. Here it is"
urged the child.
"Give me what?" and Mrs. Bonfield
reused herself little.
"This letter, and the child pushed a
letter into her mothers hand.
A letter! When she comprehended
that, Mrs. Bonfield's interest awaken
ed. She took it from her child's hand,
and opening it, read q few lines, and
then let 1t fall to the floor. But quick
ly and eagerly catching it up, she held
IL in yryild ovntfnrnnnf oil - hnv.
then letit fall again, and, burying her
face in her hands, sat very still, while
tears fell in large drops through her fin
gers down upon the carpet.
Dear madam" $50 the letter read):
1.-TWO years ago your husband had his
life insured in. our Office for the sum of
fifteen hundred dollars. The amount
will be paid TO you on demand"
1t was from the Secretary of a life in
surance company, the office of which
was in neighboring town.
Sinking upon her knees among her
children, the widow lifted her heart in
thankfulness to God. Light broke in
upon the darkness of her life. The ten
der love of her husband that was ever
concerned for her good seemed reach
ing over from the other side to succor
and to comfort her. Death had sudden
ly taken him away to what seemed an
indefinite distance. An impossible gulf
was between them. But now it seemed
as if he were In the very room with her,
and that his hands were holding her
up, and leading her in safety. /.
Dear husband, /" she murmured, Tiny
heart blesses you for this love and care!
It will be well with your little ones
now. | will stand to them In your stead
toll for them, make their lives bless
ed, as you would have DONE"
All her way was plain now. She paid
off the mortgage, and 50 had her home
secure. A part of the money that re-
manned she put out at interest, and
with the rest fitted up her little parIor
asa place of business, bought a few use
full and fancy articles, and set up as o
milliner. Her take, her skill and in
dustry soon brought her plenty of work,
and in few years she had the largest
custom in her line that the town afford
ed.