Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-28
From the Saturday Courier.
THE FIRE-SCR ZEN;
Or the Heiress & the Embroidery Worker
By J. H. INGRAHAM.

In all families there are "poor relations" This
is true, of this country particularly. The rich
men in it, or most of them, have risen from the
low level Of the people. They have been them
selves, in time, "poor relations" They have r-
sen out from among their moneyless kith, and
stand alone high above them like pyramld-a
sort of Babylonian Colossus, with feet of clay
typical Of the mire out Of which they sprung a.
head of god
All such men have poor relations, and usually
a great many of them. But as they rise higher
and higher above them, they lose sight of them;
from seeing them no bigger than pgmies below
them, they, by-and-by, are unable to see them at
all. But the "poor relation" from below always
is able 10 see his rich relation, though his head,
like Babel's tower, penetrates into the Clouds
Poor relations never lose sight Of their rich re-
lation. he is always in full view to them, like q
shot.tower, ora Bunker Hill monument; and Of
ten, it is true, Of him, as it is of these that the
higher he rises skyward he goes into colder re-
rion. His affections and kind feelings and sweet
charities freeze up.
Poor relations are usually envious and spiteful,
and exceedingly apt to hate their rich kindred;
and rich relations are apt TO desplse fear and have
strong suspicious Of their poor kindred. Thus
the breach between them remains always open.
But there are some poor relations who are good
and excellent people, and have no envy. They
have no covetous desires and live content and
independent with what they have. They know
their rich cousins or uncle's wealth will never
do them any good, and they never turn thought
TO it; but quietly and industriously pursue the
humble path which Providence hos marked out
for them to walk in; for however poor and lowly
they may be, God ordereth it.
Among the vrtuous and humble families, who
come under the class Of "poor relations" (anc
sooth, most of us are poor relations to somebody,
was that Of William Redfed. He had been {
brcklayer in his youth, and at that time in tht
bloom of health, and hope, he had married We
nv handsome, industrious girl, who brought hin
in no other fortune than loving heart and indus
trious hands. But with years came changes. Sick
ness and reverses followed, and, at the period o
our story, he was poor man, and supported hi
wife and one daughter, Mary, by such jobs as HI
could get about the streets and wharves. Yet h
was honest, steady, and the very soul of sterlin!
integrity. We have said he supported his wifi
and daughter. Gladly he would have done so
If she would have permitted it; but she was to
industrious to let her hard-aboring parents main
tain her. She was very beautiful, indeed, hav
ing one of the sweetest faces in the world wit
pleasant, smiling eyes, of the softest hazel, an
rich hazel-brown hair, that was always arrange
with exquisite taste.
She had talent for embroidery, which she ha
evinced so early as her tenth year, when workin
her sampler; and before she was fourteen sh
had worked so many fine pieces which readiI
sold, that the was able to relieve her parents in
great measure of the charge Of supporting her
nav, the could even make them useful present
at Christmas and New Year. She had now
good common school education, and, combines