The History of a Merchant's Widow and her Young Family

s of his little ones, all rose to his mind, and overwhelmed him with distress: unhappily, he heard this bad news from strangers; for it is probable, that had one of the many who knew and loved him been near, he might have been led to speak of his misfortune, and to have shed tears, which would have afforded a natural vent to the sorrow that overwhelmed him; he looked round for a coach, but there happened to be none there, and he had not power to call one: a sense of sickness and oppression succeeded the pang of distress which had first wounded him, and he felt himself so ill, as to be doubly anxious, on that account, to reach home. With trembling and hurried steps he pressed forward, and entered the square nearly at the accustomed time; the first glance he had of his house brought on all his agonies anew; and, unable to proceed, he crossed the road with difficulty, and laid his hand upon the iron railing; he then cast one more look towards his dear home, and beheld his wife and little ones at the window--a th