The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-01-15

FL Wish, however, il you have an idea oi
making yourself useful, you would contrive
TO do so al home. You could assist your
sisters in repairing their wardrobes, help
Tho maid and myself sometimes in the dairy
and turn your hand 10 variety Of things
i And, here, my mother commenced sub
Iject she usually introduced into all her
private discourses: "Having so many use-
less girls TO dress is certainly very expen-
slve, and there is poor prospect Of any Of
you being married soon"
.'Rhoda should set her Young sisters an
example" replied Rose, while her pouting
under lip curled with a sneering expression
which had become almost habitual to il.
("An elder sister an old maid, or what is
the same thing, certain Of being one, np
pears to exert a baleful influence over the
fortunes ofa family Of girls. II effectual-
ly prevents the others from making good
matches, as her age entities her TO prece.
dence, and gentlemen are prevented from
visiting at house for fear Of having an
object Of dislike forced upon them. More
over, | think Rboda grows more homey
every day she -
Here the remarks Of my sister were bro
ken in upon unexpectedly. had, hitherto
borne all in silence; but my feelings Al
this moment overcame me, and | burst in
to an agony Of tears and sobbings. Our
mother. who had always appeared to look
upon me with i'll concealed dislike, did no,
seem affected with this distress, but evil
IDENTIFY thinking such scenes disgraceful in
a family, she requested Rose in decided
tone to 'sgo on with her reading without
any farther remark.
Silence being restored, shortly after
wards left the room, and after putting on
my shawl and bonnet, bent my way 10 a
wood where knew that | could wander
for hours nnmolested had many favorte
haunts around my really picturesque home
and few steps brough, me TO spot ms
wild rs though the foot Of man had never
entered it. Here seated myself on the
long feathery grass, at the foot Of an old
tree, and gave vent to my feelings with
nnt restraint. Tears exerted salutary in
auence 10 allaying the tumnlt within, and
rs my mind was active, and was crea
ture Of the most affectionaie impulses, !
soon recovered sufficient composure to en-
able me to reflect. NV sphere wns indeed
limited, but had always thought the wei
fare Of nv fellow mortals an object of in
terest and duty. II had been my pleasure
10 encourage the timid, TO counsel the err
ring, and 10 divide my pttanse with the
destitute. Yet my heart had grown heavy
under The consciousness that the cold phi
lan,hropv Of my family viewed these my
good Offices with a sort of sneering con-
tempt. Yet felt that must not allow
myself 10 be discouraged; the little Offices
of kindness il had been in my power to be-
stow, had served to keep my heart green
and fresh, and when miserable by feeling
myself an alien and burden at home, the
consciousness that there were some hum
hle souls who never mentioned my name
without coupling it with blessing, carried
with j, feeling ofpleasure inexprcssibly
soothing.
'Ah, ifmy sisters would but allow mo 10
1--we Them at length audibly exclaimed.
'But am resolved that will no longer
stand in the way Of their advancement. 1t
shall not be said that ! was the shadow
which kept the sunshine from their young
heads And softer feelings now gaining
possession Of me thought perhaps really
was in the way Of their being happily set
lied So, after great deal OF reflection.
and many inward struggles; ! resolved to
make sacrifice of my own inclinations for
their benefit. determined, from this time
{ r'h, to relinquish all claims upon society.
and endeavor to make myself useful to my
parents without appearing in company
more than could possibly be avoided |
concluded that ! would make point Of
reading daily TO my father, whose eyes
were beginning to fail. That, as was ac-
knowledged to possess quick hand, and
ready invention, would assist my mother
in her household labor as she had request
cd, and by the time that all this was set
tied in my mind, with light heart and
spripging tread, took the way to Johns
cottage.
After proceeding few steps, | turned
into path leading into deep narrow dell /;
trees grew on the sloping sides; and the lit.
lie howell standing at the farther end, with
its grey gables and lowly roof almost GOV
cred with fern and moss, looked like some
wild birds nest hid by the sheltering
leaves.
Looking in at the door which stood part
ly open, saw the kettle hanging over n
fire Of sticks, Johns wife seated at her
wheel on the wide stone hearth, and the
twin babies kicking and Growing in the rude
cradle, which John had, himself, construct
ed Of the rough boards which had once per
formed duty as garden fence; while lit
tie girl Of three years, who was visitor,
sat close beside them nursing cat. ]
stepped softly, and paused moment to
contemplate the scene | have described,
when Katie espying me, came forward
with alacrity, offering chair and express
sing her delight at seeing me, again and
again.
Il have come to thank you for your nice
present, Katie said |, 'but lam sorry you
did not keep ii, and eat il yourselves
sMr. Bary,on's housekeeper gave it to
John yesterday evening, and as il is 50 sell
dom poor body like me has anything tii
to offer lady like yourself, thought !!
would just run up with it,
q do not expect any return for the little
q 4 -