Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-05-11
From the Boston Traveller.
COMMON BLESSINGS:
Or, a Review Of the Past Year.


Il hope said Mrs. Simpkns, Il shall have
more to be thankful for, at the close of the wear
1919, than have had during l848.' She sigh
ed as she uttered the past year has been moth.
ing but trouble from beginning to end.'
'Ilow can you say so, Marial' remarked Mrs.
Hopkins, her mother-in- law.-'I am sure don't
see what great troubles you have had, your hus-
band and children have been well, and that a.
lone is q sufficient sub ject of gratitude. Do look
at poor Mrs. Ames, who has lost every one of
her liule ones with scarlet fever
you are always pointing me, mother, to some
one who is worse off than am, while you ne.
yer speak of those who are far better off than
myself
1T is always best TO remember our mercies,
child ..
And who can forget their trials, should like
to know! Have had peace in my kitchen for
months! Have | not been continually changs
ing help? And now Bridget says unless raise
her wages she will leave me next week.
AS Bridget appears to be good girl perhaps,
dear, you had better give her another quarter
week, and thus insure good cook
u won'I do it, mother; she may go as soon as
she chooses .-..
But, Maria, you Won't get a girl under nine
,shillings; every family pays that
Then | will 60 without; will do the work
myself
Mrs. Hopkins knew well enough where the
work would fail, if Bridget left; she had heard
just such boOstiig before.
Il hope in forty nine, money will be plentier
than | have found it this last year. | suppose
you agree with me in this wish, mother, if in no
other!'
well, don't know, child, but we have had
every thing for our comfort, and some !uxuries
too. Samuel has been kept from failure; and
how much better is that than many whom we
know, who have lost all they have made for
yearsr
you speak Of luxuries. wonder what you
refer to, muttered Mrs. Simpkins.
why good food, sometimes rich food, we'll
prepared. Rich dresses, TOO; you remember
the rich silks you and the children have had
this last year. Good water. too; the Cochitu.
ate carried 10 every chamber the greatest iuxu-
~ of all. ..aT #uh F.
'Iwonder you don't add, the sun has shone,
and the light has come regularly every morning,
under this head, mother. You are very speci-
fc your enumeratons. don't class common
blessings among luxuries- every body has
these
Think as you may, Maria, these common
blessings as you term them are truly the great
est lavors which Heaven bestows,-the beauti-
full sun, the grateful light;-I wish you could
feel as my friend did, who said he never opened
his eyes, but he first thanked God for the birth
of new day.
q suppose you are thankful mother, that you
have not had the hydrophobia, nor the cholera,
nor yellow fever
There is great reason to be thankful for an
escape from these ravages, Maria. Don't beg
of you speak so lightly of your many escapes,
and your thousand deliverances.' .
Il have truly escaped great deal, mother,-
have escaped the trouble Of moving because
we are too poor to live in better stye-l have
escaped the fatigues attendant upon selecting
some tapestry carpets-I have escaped ever so
many colds because did not 90 to aInusements
Il have escaped giving party, because Sam
uel said he did not feel able to give one this year.
lndeed' said the thoughtless, giddy woman, Il
have escaped great deal more--there's fire,
sword, pestilence and famine. None of these
have come nigh me- 9.
Mrs. Hopkins could not lorbear smiling, and
yet she secretly deplored the want of real graft
Jude in her daughter-in-law. What Maria,'
she enquired, 'would you most Of all desire the
coming year, admitting all our wishes came at
our biddingl'