Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-12-11


hinges. Beyond this. her mind was un
educated 10 all that per,a;ned TO bool
knowledge. Coarse and rough as she was
however, there were about her cer,aia
elements Of womanly beauty in the frs
efforts Of development, that Uncle Bel
perceived, aud which awoke for her, in hi
mind, . feeling OF both in,eres, aud Concern
"You're working Ellen too hard" said
the old gentleman to his niece. as the gir
passed through the room where they wert
sitting, carrying large kettle Of boiling
water which she had Just heated for wash
ing.
81 know it," replied Mrs. Miller; i"
think Of it every dsy. Ellen ough, to be
going TO school. But | can't spare her
II We could afford help, it would be differ
ent. 1t makes my heart ache. Uncle Ben
whenever | think ofihe way our children
are growing up"
IAN bad-very bad.' said Uncle Ben
shaking his head. and looking grave.
"There's something wrong. Derend upon
it. Ellen. there's something wrong. You're
all industrious enough all. in TACT. over
worked; and yet there is no thrift. no
order in your family, no cheerfuIness. no
comfort"
Hannah acknowledged, with tears in her
eyes. the truth Of the picture. But she
knew no remedy and saw nothing bu,
trouble ahead. -..-a .
IL: we 60 on 90 We have been going
said she, we'll lose our farm in Two or
three years; and then what is TO become
oe Us all . feel utterly discouraged"
81 see no books abou:." SAID Uncle Ben,
sometime afterwards. Don't Ellen and
Henry spend some Of their time in read.
ing."
There's the Bible and scme old reli.
eious books up STAIRS" replied Hannah.
|" But the children don't care abou, them.
Henry borrowed the Arabian Nights and
Robinson Crusoe from some Of our neigh
bors' children, and he and Ellen got so
interested in them, that they couldn't do any
thing else. Henry would leave his work
in the field and hide away among the bushes
to read, and Ellen would neglect every
thing for the same purpose. Their father
70, 90 angry abou, i, shst he positively
forbade their bringing any more books into
The house."
"Is it possible! Do you take newspa-
per I"
mo. We can't afford 10 spend mone'
in ,ha, way. We have nothing to spare
for useless things. And. besides. Peter has
no time to read. When nigh, comes. he
is 50 worn down with work that he is glad
TO get in bed"
mo newspaper! Why. Hannah. You
had much better all 90 ~ilhou, meal once
week. than not have a newspaper. |
don't wonder .......
Uncle Ben checked himself and became
more thoughtful than before.
On the mex, day he asked Peter why he
didn't take paper!
{" No time to read; and. besides, cam,
afford the expense" replied Peter.
"A couple Of dollars year would meet
that"
II must pay my debts, Uncle Ren.
before l think abou. indulgng in newspa-
pers," returned Peter.
"You'd find paper great saving. even
il il cost ten dollars year." remarked the
old gentleman.
Peter did not in the least comprehend
The meaning Of this declaration. But. as
he did not ask for any explanation, none
~as given. -. .-...
"You're a hard. working man, Peter
said Benjamin Hicks. after two or three
days had been spent in the family Of his
nrphew and niece-"a hard working man.
I'll give YOU credit for that. But. from all
| have seen and heard since ! have been
here, Peter. | mus, say that you are not
good farmer" ............
"You're the first man who ever said
,ha,!' quickly replied Peter, the blood
.pringing to his face.
"Tha. may be- returned Uncle Ben.
" Still. il does not gainsay my words. You
are not a good farmer. Peter. and your
wan, Of thrift shows it,"
II wish you would explain yourself.
Uncle Ben," said Peter. both his voice and
coun,enance showing ,ha, the remark hurl
him a good deal. "No man in the neigh
borhood would like TO say 50 much"
"A good farmer, with one hundred acres
of land like yours, must &c. along. You
dom. get along. and therefore say, you
are not good iarmer."
Now Peter was rather quick tempered,
and this assertion Of the old mans chafed
him in a tender place. He tried TO control
a.. ec h,,, tho effo,f was nnt f,,llv