The father, who was already infirm, grew
heartless and melancholy and sunk into his grave. The widow, left
lonely in her age and feebleness, could no longer support
herself, and came upon the parish. Still there was a kind feeling
towards her throughout the village, and a certain respect as
being one of the oldest inhabitants. As no one applied for the
cottage in which she had passed so many happy days, she was
permitted to remain in it, where she lived solitary and almost
helpless. The few wants of nature were chiefly supplied from the
scanty productions of her little garden, which the neighbors
would now and then cultivate for her. It was but a few days
before the time at which these circumstances were told me, that
she was gathering some vegetables for her repast, when she heard
the cottage-door which faced the garden, suddenly opened. A
stranger came out, and seemed to be looking eagerly and wildly
around. He was dressed in seamen's clothes, was emaciated and
ghastly pale, and bore the air of one broken by sickness and
hardships. He saw her and hastened towards her, but his steps
were faint and faltering; he sank on his knees before her and
sobbed like a child. The poor woman gazed upon him with a vacant
and wandering eye.
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