Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1840-07-25
THE FATHER.


10y
SEES Of fortune. Frcqncn, aud sudIrn as they
have been to our own county. it is snt
that young females should possess some employ
men,. 10y which they nigh, obtain a LIVELIHOOD in
case they should be rcducr1 10 the necessity OF
supporting themselves. When the families IRE
Unexpectedly reduced from afiuence to puveriy,
how pi'iful and contemplate i. is, TO see the
mother dcsEonjing or hopeless, and permitting
her daughters TO cmborrass those whom il is their
duty TO assist and cheer.
i have lost my whole fortune said a merchant
rs he returned one evening to his home we can
no longer keep our carriage. We must lcave.th
large house. The children can 40 longer go TO
expensive schools. Yesterday | was a rich man,
To-day there is nothing ! can call my own.
Dear husband said the wife. I'VE arc still rich
in each other and our children. Money may
pass away, bu, God has given US better treasure
10 those active hands aud loving hearts
Dear father said The children. do no, look SO
sad. We will help you to get q living
What can you do, poor .hing.!,sai he.
Vow shall sec, you shall See answered srsersl
cheerful voices. 1T is a ri'y if we have tcen Ia
school for nothing. How can the father Of eigh,
children be poo'' We shall work aud make you
rich again
i shall help .nid the youngest girl. hardly
four years old. i will M, have any new thinss
bought. and | shall sell my great doll
The heart Of tho husband and father. which
had sunk within his bosom like a stone, was lifted
up. The sweet enthu iasm OF the scene cheered
him. and his nig'tly prayer was like a song Of
praise.
lie left his stately house. The servants were
dismissed. Pictures and plate, rich carpet ant
furniture were sold, and she who had so long beef
'Le mistress Of the mansion shed no tear. Pay
eer,v debt said she, .let no one suffer through
us. an,1 we may yet be happy
Ue ren,e,i1 a neat cottage and a small piece o.
ground a few niles from The city. With the aid
of his sons he cui.i> ated vegetables for the mar
kct. lie viewed witt. d light and establishment
the economy Of hi. u lie, nc'turcd as che bad
beco in wealth, and the ch."i'hcy when hi
daughters soon acquired under hsr tanning.
The oldest one assisted her in the v ok OF the
household, and also assisted the younger children
Besides, they executed various works which ihey
had learned as accomplishments, but which shs.
found could he disposed Of to advantage. They
embroidered with taste some Of the ornamental
parts Of female apparel, which were readily sold
to a merchant in the city.
They cultivated flowers and sent boqucts to
market, in the cart lha, conveyed the vegetables;
they plated straw, they painted maps, they exc
cutod plain needle word. Every one was at her
post busy and cheerful. The cottage was like o
bee hive. - \
i never enjoyed such health before said the
father.
and I never was so happy before" said The
mother.
w never knew how many thIngs w could
do. when We lived in a grea, house. said tho chill
trcn, ard we love each other a great deal better
hero. You call us your little bees
Yes replied the father, and you make just
such honey as the heart loves to feed on
Economy as well as industry was strictly OBJ
served. Nothing was wasted nothing unnecessi-
ry was purchased. The oldes. daughter became
assistant teacher in a distinguished female semina-
ry, and The second took her place as instructress
TO the family
The little dwelling, which had always been
KEEP, neat, they were soon able 10 beautify. lis
construction was improved, and the vines and
towering trees were replan.ed around it. The
merchant was happier under his woodbine covered
porch, in q summers evening, than he had been
in his SNOWY drawing room.
we are thriving now and prosperous said he.
shall we not return to The city!'
oh, no, no, no. was the unanimous reply.
'Let US remain said the wife, where we have
found health and con,cntment.'
Father said the youngest, all we children
hope you are not a going 10 be rich ngsin;s for
then she added, 'we little ones were shut upin
the nursary. and did no, see much of you nor
mother. Now we all live together, and sister, who
loves US, TEACHES us, and we learn to be indus,ri-
Gus ard useful. We were none Of US happy when
we were rich, and did not work; so father please
not be a rich man any more.-Mrs Sigourney.