The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-02

with bottoms braided with the thin hbres OF
the ash tree. There is smoking before the
fire, in a small, tin pan, cake of Indian
meal, which is TO compose the supper OF
this lowly family. Two little children, a
girl of seven and a boy Of five, are sFlng
in one corner of the spacious fire place,
building ltle bon6res with spinters Of pitch
pine. The mother of these children Is
busily making preparations for the evening
repast. The father, having just returned
from the Iabors of the day, is sitting before
the hearth, cheerfully talking with his wife,
and by the bright glow Of 'heir rock maple
fire, repairing the bale of the water pail,
which has accidentally got broken.
"Falher," says little George, looking up
with his rosy cheeks, "may Susan and |
60 with you tomorrow, and help you get in
The potatoes 2"
80 yes, latherw exclaims Susan, edo
let us go. George and !, together, can pick
them up as fast as as you can dig them
We can help you very much. Do let US
60"
"Ah! you little chicks" says the mother,
with a smile, "you are planning for some
more rides in your fathers wheelbarrow,
rather think"
"Yesw the father replies, "when they
work for me have load both ways. And
hardly know which IS the heaviest. !
wheel the potatoes to the house, and then
find these two stout children in my wheel
barrow, and there is nothing to be done, but
for me 10 wheel them back to the field"
"Well, father," says Susan, 81 DO not
think it tires you very much to wheel US;
for if ii did, you would not run with US so
fast as you did yesterday. 1t made US laugh
SO, that George almost fell out of the wheel
barrow"
81 am inclined to the opinion, on the
whole" replied the father, "lhat I shall be
under the necessity OF employing two hands
tomorrow. But if you are going to work
for me, you must lie up early in The morn
ing, and help your mother get breakfast
while am taking care of the cattle"
80, that is good" says Susan to George,
eve always have such good lime when
we go with father"
They soon sit down to the supper table.
A single tallow candle, in an iron candle
stick, gives a feeble light, which is almost
eclipsed by the bright CLEANS of the wood
fire which Eliminates the room. A bless
ing is implored before this happy family
partakes Of It's frugal repast. Soon after
supper, the children, kneeling by their moth
er's side, bury their faces in her lap, as they
repeat their evening prayer, and then retire
for The night TO the little cot bed, which
draws from beneath that in which their
parents repose.
At an early hour Of the evening, the hus-
band and father takes the family Bible from
the shelf, With the strong faith of the
experienced & confding Christian, he reads
a portion of the sacred volume, and com,
mends in fervent prayer, his wife, his chill
dren and himself TO the care Of his Heav-
emily Father"
ooh God" he says, "lhou art causing
our cup 10 overflow with blessings. Thou
art feeding and clothing US, and supplying
our every earthly want. And we pray that
we may be prepared, in this our earthly
home, for the joys of the celestial mansions.
We thank thee for their intelligent minds,
for their afIeclionate hearts, and for their
well-tormed bodies. Wilt thou enable US
to set before them such an example of con-
sistent piety, that they may be won by the
spirit Of the Savior, and that we may all
hereafter meet, happy family in heaven"
With such Acknowledgements and suppl
cations, he gives utterance to The deep emo
lions Of his own heart. And soon all Of
this favored household are peacefully repos-
ing, encompassed with mercies. Their
humble and solitary log house in the midst
of the mountains, is the abode Of The pur-
est contentment and joy. There are the
external manifestations of poverty, but the
heart is rich with heavens choicest treas
ures.
These two pictures, which none will
affirm TO be unlrue TO nature, shows that the
possession of wealth is by no means essen
lial to happiness. All will theoretically
admit this sentiment, and yet its practical
denial is the great bane of all earthly Joy,
and is running millions of immortal souls.
Money, money, is the god of the world
And in the eager alteration Of that deity the
true sources Of enjoyment which God has
pointed out, are neglected. A man may
enjoy the highest degree of earthly happi-
ness, tho this be of homespun, though no