Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-11-02
y Select TaIr.
From the I.ady's Wreath
THE YANK EE GIRL.


The long winter evening was drawing
to close--the books and work had been
put 5y-,he "big ha' Bible" reverently de-
posted in its accustomed place at the close
of family worship, and the cheerful circle
that surrounded the fire side of farmer Lee,
after an affectionate good night, had retired
to their respective apartments. The far
mer himself rose from his chair, and care
fully covering up the glowing Goals which
sent fitful light through the now darkened
room, was about to retire, when a sudden
rush of emotion seemed to overpower him,
and throwing himself on the wooden settle
which occupied one corner of the huge
chimney, he covered his face with his
hands, and wept aloud.
"Father," said soft voice at his side
"dear father, you are not we'll. What can
| do for you 9''
"How is this, Grace 2" he answered, al
most sternly, 81 thought you were all gone;
why are you still up at this late hour!"
"Because could not go to rest while
know that you are suffering Father" she
continued, 81 have watched you and moth
er all day, and ! know you have some sor-
row of heart which you are hiding from us,
while it is sinking you to the earth. May
I not know what it is, it / cannot assist, l
may at least have the privilege of bearing
it with you''
While she spoke, Grace Lee had seated
herself on low bench at her fathers feet,
and claspng her hands upon his knee,
looked up in his face with an expression of
earnest entreaty that might have moved
heart of stone But farmer Lees heart was
made of no such material 1t was full of
the milk of human kindness besides he
dearly loved the sweet girl whose blue
eyes were gazing so tenderly into his, and
had sometimes been tempted to feel little
proud of his s'wild flower" as the good old
minister once called her. He cleared his
throat, therefore, and fondIy passing his
hard and bony hand over her shining hair,
said mildly, "you are good girl, Grace,
and comfort to your parents, but this is
matter beyond your ability 10 manage, and
trouble will come soon enough without
meeting it half way"
"Oh, do not say so, dear father-l am
almost eighteen, and you must not look
upon me any longer as child to be petted
and cared for, but woman, VINO is both
able and willing to take her share OF the
burdens it may please God to lay upon
you. Tell me what it is that aiHicts you,
and do not fear that it will make me un-
happy; l can bear anything but to see you
miserable, while I am ignorant OF the
cause %
"Child, you know not what you ask
are you prepared to hear that your father
is beggar-that we must leave the old
homestead-where you were all born, and
where we have been so happyw % choking
sensation prevented farmer Lee from pro-
ceeding, and Grace slowly repeated, as if
mechanically-"Lcave the old homestead,
and for what? Why must we go!''
"You were a child" her father answer
ed, sand do not remember your uncle Bar
ker. He was in tronble, and tried to help
him out, but IN some way, before the busl-
ness was ended, l was obliged to mortgage
my farm for a small sum which could be
raised in no other way. The interest has
been regularly paid until within the last
four years, and have always hoped to get
together enough to pay the principal, but
some how or other, instead of this, I have
got behind hand, and now the man who
holds the mortgage threatens to foreclose,