She was very desirous Mrs. B——­ should write to Pennsylvania to make inquiries about her children.  It seemed almost a hopeless effort, but, to gratify her, Mrs. B——­ wrote to the postmaster of the town where her sons were last heard from.  In about a week an answer came from the postmaster saying that he was well acquainted with James, and had seen him a short time previously.  He spoke highly of him, as an industrious and respectable man, and one who would be happy to provide for his mother.  In regard to her other son, he said he did not know him personally.  His reputation was good, and his circumstances were such that he could assist in the care of his mother.  From James the “Widow Cahoon” afterwards learned that her daughter had married and moved farther west, but she had not been heard from for ten years.  When Mrs. B——­ read the letter to her, she was much overcome, and the tears chased each other down her furrowed cheeks.  “Glory be to God!” she exclaimed.  “He has lifted a load off my heart.  I shall see my sons before I die.  Bless the Lord that I ever saw the like of you!  I have been trying seven years to get that letter written!”

I had the pleasure of carrying to her a letter from James, and reading it to her myself.  As I entered the room she was sitting by the little stove in a large rocking-chair, looking as comfortable as one could wish.  She seemed very happy, and told me about the prospect of seeing her sons.  “They will send for me, and I shall go to them,” was a cheering and delightful thought.  She said she was expecting every day a letter from James.  When I told her I had brought it, her face lighted up, and she uttered expressions of thankfulness, evidently from a full and overflowing heart.  She spoke of David, and of being once more with him, if “the boys should send for him.”  She wished to do what was best for the child, and was still willing he should be adopted, if it was thought desirable.  She expressed the utmost confidence in Mrs. B——­, and was willing to leave it all to her judgment.  This was the last time I ever saw the “Widow Cahoon,” and we shall probably never meet again.  She had no earthly treasure to confer upon me, but she gave me her blessing, and, I doubt not, will remember me in her prayers so long as she remains upon earth; and when the spirit-world is our home, I shall expect her face, unwrinkled by sorrow or age, to beam upon me a heavenly welcome.  It was but little I did for this poor widow, and yet that little has been rich in blessings to me, and may be to mine, for whom she fervently prayed.

James, in his second letter, sent a check to his mother to pay her fare from New York to Pennsylvania with a request that David might accompany her.  He will provide for them both in future.