The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-01-20
MIRA, TIE OREsHg.w:
OR THE FORCE OF PRINCIPLE
By A LADY.

Iuneral procession passed SLOWLY up
fremont street, and entered the venerable.
burial place attached to the Stone Chapel.
There were deposited the remains of Mrs.
Lawrence, and with them the pecuniary de-
pendence of two orphan daughters.
Mrs. Lawrence, until year previous to
her death, had lived in the greatest opulence;
but unfortunately, her husband became su-
rety for friend to large amount, which he
was obliged to redeem. This, added to
many other losses, left him a comparatively
small pittance for himself and family. This
blow was too great for him. What! give
up his fine residence, his splendid furniture
and carriage, and come down to the vulgar
method OF living! No he could not--he
would not-and the grief occasioned by this
change in his fortunes soon caused his
death.
His wife bore her trials with Christian
like fortitule. With the small life annuity
which she e'possessed, she found an agreea-
BILE home IN the family Of distant relative.
She devoted her time to the improvement
of her eldest daughter, Elizabeth, and in
watching the unfolding beauties of her little
rosebud, as she fondly termed Maria.
The struggle of noble soul, contending
against afIliction, is often too great for its
frail tenement. With Mrs. Lawrence, the
chord which had been too tightly strung,
snapped suddenly assunder, its ethereal
tones still thrilling the hearts Of its auditors.
The family with whom Mrs. Lawrence
resided kindly offered to take charge OF
Elizabeth, (now nine years of age) and be-
stow on her good education. But Maria
who would supply the place of another
father? No one seemed inclined to take
care of child two years old. How ephe-
merial the friends of the present day =
They futter around the glare and splendoul
of wealth, and bask in its sunshine but ex.
tinguish its blazonry, and where are they
Like the insects they personate, they fly tc
some illumination, and are seen no more.
Accordingly, none offered to supply the
place of mother to Maria. until Mr.. ant
Mrs. Harris, who had been befriended by
Mrs. Lawrence in her days of prosperity
and were dlstant!y related, came forward
They resided about 80 miles from Boston
"'Twil be apoor place for gentleman
darter,' said Mrs. Harris; shut perhaps
when she gets bigger, some of her Bostor
relations will make lady Of her."
Maria was happy at her new home
A ride in the wagon was as agreeable al
in carriage. Aunt Hannah's turnove
and little cake on baking day, pleased he
as well as the rich confectionery her nam
ma used to give her. The checked liner
frock in summer, the red and blue worstet
IN winter, was quite as comfortable as th'
satin and merino to which size had been ac
costomed, and though she said "stck! stick
Aunt Hannah" when the coarse woolei
stockings were puton her delicate little feet
Ele bOOu lOISOt IL, ia iOOhiiiS az i'iS 'SJS -
they coasted down the steep hill atthe bacl
of Aunt Harris's house.
In childhood the country seems peculiar
" adapted to the unfolding capacities. Th
youthful exuberance of spirits has fire.
scope. All nature, activity, appears to co
incide with the expanding mind better thai
the confined limits Of city.
Maria's growth was remarkably forward
She pursued her studies at the district sshoc
from books furnished by her sister Eliza
beth, who regularly made long visit a
Aunt Hannah's in the summer season, an
impaired all the knowledge her sister
mind could receive. These visits prove
Of great benefit TO Maria, who though az
ouainted with city life, was an excellei
little girl and readily distinguished from an
child in the village.
No change occurred in Maria's sisual'o