The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-20
THE ELDER SISTER.
BY MRS. SIGOURNEY.

The station of the elder sister has always APP
peared to me SO peculiarly important, that the
privileges which it assumes is almost sa-
cred character. The natural adjunct and ally
of the mother, she comes forth among the
younger children, both as montress and ex-
ample. She readily wins their confidence, from
conviction that she even more freshly than
parent, !" is touched with the feelings Of their in
frmities." In proportion to her interest in their
affections, will be her power to improve their char
acters, and 10 allure Them by the bright examples
of her own more finished excellence Her lnfiu-
ence upon brothers is often eminently happy vi
Young man who evnced high moral principle.
with rich and refined sensibilitles--lt was SAID by
an admiring stranger" will venture to affirm
that he had good sister, and she older than him.
self'' II, .s,..s.
1t has been my lot to know more than one ell
der sister Of surprising excellence. have seen
them assuming the office of teacher, and faith
| fully impart to those whose understandings were
but feebly enlightened the advantages OF their own
complete education. have seen them softenIng
and modifying the character Of brothers; breath
! ing until it melted, upon obduracy Whlch no au-
thority could subdue.
| / have seen one, in early bloom of youth and
amid the temptations of afuence so aiding, cheer.
| inc, influencing a large portion OF brothers ana
sisters, that the lispng student-comes ~ pc
helped in its lessons-and the wild one from lts
sports, brought the torn garment IEuStillSly ~
4 her needle, and the delighted infant stretched it's
arms to hear her bird like song; and The cheek
of her mother, leaning on So sweet substitute,
| forgot to fade. b.
/ / have seen another, when the last remaining
parent was taken to God, come forth in her place,
| the guide and comfort of her orphans. She be-
| lieved that to her who is now in heaven, the
most acceptable mourning would be to follow her
| unfinished designs. Her motto was the poets
maxim /" He mourns the dead who lives as they
desire" AS if glance of that pure assembled
spirit was constantly upon her, she entered into
her unfinished abors To the po,r she was the
same messenger of mercy; she bore the same
crosses with meek and patient mind. But es-
pecially to her younger sister and brother, she
poured out, as it were, the very essence Of her
being She cheered their sorrows. She shared
and exul,ed in their pleasures. She studied their
traits of character, that she might adopt the best
method both to their nfrmities and virtues 10
the germ Of every good disposition, she was
faithful florist; to their waywardness, she OPP
posed mild firmness until she prevailed.
She laid the infant sister on her own pillow
she bore it in her arms and rejoced in its growth,
health, and beauty. And when it fastened on
! its lettering feet to her, as mother for y had
known no other, the smile of that young brow,
and the tear that chastened 1t were more radiant
than any semb|ance of JOY, which cutters IN the
halls of fashion. These little ones grew up around
her, and God gave her the reward OF her labors,
in their affection and goodness. Thus she walked
day by day, with her eye to her heart, upheld by
the happiness which she difused; and little
lower than the angels. ts. 4s..s rts