She had one daughter about twenty, and two sons who were both under ten years of age.

Up to this time she had never known the dread of want.

Her husband had been able to provide well for his family; and they moved in a very respectable, and somewhat showy circle.

But on his death, his affairs were found to be much involved, and when settled, there was left for the widow and children only about the sum of four thousand dollars, besides the household furniture, which was very handsome.

This sad falling off in her prospects, had been communicated to Mrs.Turner a short time before, by the administrator on the estate; and its effect was to alarm and sadden her extremely.