Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-09-13
A DOMESTIC SKETCH.
BY MRS. LYDIA H. sIGoURNEY.

It is the duty of mothers 10 sustain the
sevsrses of fortune. Frequent and sudden
az they have been to our own country, it is
important .ha. young females should possess
som, employmentby which they might OBJ
siain a. Livelihood, in cnse they should be re-
duced to the necessity of supporting them
selves, When families are unexpectedly
reduced from uffluence TO poverty, how pit
fully contemplate it is to SEQ the mother
desponding and helpless, and permitting
her daughters 10 enbarrass those whom it
il, their duty TO cheer.
81 have lost my whole fortune" said q
merchant, us he returned homo one eve
ming to his home; ''we can no longer keep
our carriage. We must leave this large
house. The children can no longer go to
expensive schools. Yesterday | was
rich man-to-day there is nothing can
call my own."
"Dear husband" said the wife, eve are
still rich in each other md our Children
Money may pass away, but God has given
us better treasure in those active hands
and loving hearts
"Dear lather," said the children, edo not
look ober. We will help you get a liv-
ing" -,
"What can you do, poor things?" said
he.
"You shall see, you shall see,'' answered
several cheerful voices "lt is pity if we
have been to school for nothing. How can
the father of eight children be poor? We
shall work and make you rich again.
al shall help said the youngest grl hard
ly four years old. "l will not have any
new things bought and shall sell my great
DOLL"
e The heart of the husband and father,
which had sunk within his bos ON Ike a
stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusi-
asn of the scene cbeered him, and his night
'ly prayer was like song Of praise.
They left the stately house. The SER
ySnts were dismissed. Pictures and plate,
rich carpet and furniture were sold, and
she who had been mistress ef the mansion
shed no tear ''Pay every debt" said she,
let no one suffer through US, we may yel
be happy" :,
r. He rented neat cottage and small
piece Of ground few miles from the city.
With the aid of his sons he cultivated veg
etabes for the market. He viewed with
delight and astonishment the economy OF
his wife, nurtured, as she had been, in
wealth and the efficiency which his daugh-
tors soon acquired under her training.
The eldest one assisted her in the work
Of the household: and also instructed the
younger children. Besides they executed
various works which they had learned as
accomplishments but which they found
could be disposed of 10 advantage. They
e embroidered with taste some Of the orna.
mental parts of female apparel, which
were readily sold to a merchant in the city.
They cultivated flowers and sent boquets
TO market in the cart that conveyed the veg.
etables-they plated straw, they painted
maps, they executed plain needle.work.-
Every one was at her post, busy and cheer
full. The cottage was like beehive.
5a 81 never enjoyed such health before,
said the father. ;.
aAnd never was so happy before" SAID
the mother.
5se "We never knew how many things we
coa,,ld do when we lived ina great house,
g said the children, sand we love each other
a great deal better here. You cal! US
your little bees.
- "Yes," said the father and you make
Just such honey as the heart likes to ieeo
on"e
Eeeasmy as well as industry was strictly