Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-11-16
THE FATHER.
AN INSTRUCTIVE SKETCH.

Il is the mothers to sustain the reversCs OF
fortune. Frequent and sudden as they have been
in our own country it is important that Young fe-
males should possess some employment by
which they might obtain a livelihood in case they
should be reduced to the necessity Of supporting
themselves. When families are unexpectedly
reduced from aiiluence to poverty, how pitifuly
contemplate it is TO see the mother desponding
or helpless, and permitting her daughters to en-
barrass those whom it is their duty to assist and
cheer
. have lost my whole fortune" said rner-
chant, as he returned one evening to his home:
eve can no longer keep our carriage. We
must leave this great house. The children can
no longer 90 to expensive schools Yesterday
| was rich man; to-day there is nothing can
call my own"
Dear father said the children, " do not look
50 sober. We will help you get Il living"
a." What can you do, poor things said he.
+" You shall see, you shall see, answered soy
eral cheerful voices 1T is a 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.
. shall help, said the Youngest girl, hardly
four years old. civil not have any NOW things
bought, and shall sell my great doll"
The heart of the husband and father, which had
sunk within his bosom like stone, was lifted
up. The sweet enthusiasm Of the scene cheer
ed him, and his nightly prayer was a song Of
praise.
They left this stately house. The servants
were dismissed. Pictures and plate. rich carpet
and furniture were sold, and she who had btan
so long the mistress of mansion, shed no tear
Pay every debt, said she, " let no ono suffer
through US, and we may yet be happy"
lie rented neat cottage and small piece Of
ground few miles from the city With the
aid Of his sons he cultivated vegetables for the
market. lie viewed with delight and astonisl-
ment the economy of his wife. nurturcd as She
had been, N wealth, and the efficiency which his
daughters soon acquired under her training
The eldest one Instructed her in the work Of
the household, and also assisted the younger
children. Basidss, they executed various works
which they had learnedas accomplishments. bnt
which they found could be disposed Of to aG-
vantage They embroidered with taste some of
the ornamental parts OF female apparel which
were readily sold to a merchantin the city.
They cultivated flowers and sent bouquets to
market in the cart that conveyed the vegetables,
they plated straw, they painted maps. they exc
! cuted plain needle work. Every one was at her
post.busy and cheerful. The cottage was like
beehive.
| never enjoyed such health before, said the
father.
And l never was so happy before" said the
mother.
We never knew how many things we could
/ do when we lived in the great house" said the
/ children, "and We love each other great dca
better. You call Us your little bees.
/ Yes, said the father, aad Won make Just
such honey as the heart likes TO feed on"
! Economy as we'll as industry was strictly Oh
served, nothing was wasted. Nothing unncces
sary was purchased. The eldest daughter be.
came assistant teacher in a distinguished Female
/ Seminary, and the second took her place as III
structress to the family.
The little dwelling which had always beer
/ kept neat they were soon able to beautily its
I construction was improved and vines and flow.
erin4 trees were replanted around it, The mer
chaut was happier under his wood-bne covorel
porch than he had been in his snowy dressing
room.
=" We are now thriving and prosperous" saic
he, -" shall we return to the citv?"
"Oh, no, no, was the unanimous reply.
&" Let us remain" said his wife, " where WI
have found health and contentmcnt."
" Father said the Youngest, all we chjldrei
hope you are not going to be rich again; 70
then" she added, " we little ones were shut a
in the nursery, and did not see much Of Won o
mother. Now We all live together. and sister
who loves us, teaches us. and we learn 10 be in
dustrious and useful. We were none of Us har
pv when we were rich and did not work :
father please HOT be a rich man any more.
Mrs. Sigourney.