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

Uerman emlgrant, iaborer upon 1n estate
belonging 10 Mr.. Baryton, the great man
Of our region Of country. The manage
ment Of this property was entrusted to my
father, aud this poor man had been employ
ed by him. One unfortunate day, her
mother, who was frequently in the habit Of
padding a small boat across the stream up
on whose bank they lived, when she wish
ed 10 visit or 60 upon an errand, had bor-
rowed one for the purpose, which WAS in
reality too old and weather worn 10 be
used with snfety; not being aware Of this.
however, she attempted TO cross in it, and
few moments saw her boat sink, and the
poor woman herself plunging hopiessly in
the deep, dark water. II chanced that
none Of the laborers were near at hand,
and by the time the few terrified females
who were witnesses Of the tran sactiop
could summon assistance, all human aid
was vain. The body was recovered, and
carried to the cottage she had left in health
and strength, but few short moments be-
fore. There was the hearth tidily swept,
the supper table set, and little Eunice was
still quietly sleeping in the bed where the
hand Of a tender, careful mother, had pla-
ced her.
The news Of this melancholy catastrophe
soon spread, and on bearing of il walked
over the bill and across the vale, TO see If
my assistance could be Of any avail
II was day which seemed made for hap
piness; the sun appeared to be rejoicing in
to EoanS han fhara Iifo il,
the verdure and flowers; the bright beted
bee was humming near, while the birds
singing in the forest boughs made the air
one warbie of music. And what contrast
did these cheerful sights and sounds pre-
sent, 10 the gloom Of the lowly cot to which
was fastening; death was there, but The
wife and mother had not died of natures
common decay; in the full flush Of youth
and health she had been stricken down
without moments warning. Poor Fritz,
the picture Of despair, sat beside the bed
on which lay the body Of his dend wife,
holding bis motherless child on his lap.
held out my arms 10 receive il, and as be
raised bis head, and noticed my streaming
eyes, be yielded il to me without a word !;
there is a language in the tears Of sympa
thy nteligen, to the rudesi nature. Then,
as looked upon the smiling, unconscious
infant, Qor little Eunice was but year
old, and very pretty baby,) | made vow
as pressed il TO my bosom. tha; would
see her properly brought up in her humble
station; and although dependent upon the
pleasure of others, yet have found oppor-
tuni,y to do much for this little one. She
| is boarding with the emigrant family her
mothe. was in the habit Of visiting; and
assist her father, (who has fallen into a mel
sncholy way, which almost units him for
labor,) in defraying her necessary expen-
ses And as my allowance ofpocket mon
ey is small indeed, practise the most rigid
economy and self denial, in order to do
this; my gloves, and shoes, and other arti-
cles of dress, are worn twice as long as my
sisters, and am often Obliged to lie under
the charge Of meanness, without daring to
eyculpate myself.
After leaving Johns cabin, proceeded
homeward, in Tranquil, If not happy
frame of mind; and from that day forward
put in practice the good resolutions had
formed. My sisters saw great deal Of
company, both at home and abroad, bu,
made il point never TO appear unless cir,
|cumstsnces rendered il absolutely necessa
|ry. They would ride to the different
gentlemen's seats in the neighbcfhoods, TO
the nearest large and populous town, or
sometimes spend months among distant rel
atives, or old school fellows, yet never
expressed wish to accompany them
Nine wears had thus elided away, and al
though my sisters had many admirers, they
were, strange TO say, unmarried; probably
the want OF fortune was as great barrier
in the way of matrimony, as the presence
Of maiden sister; and as the lapse oftims
had not rendered them any more amiabi !.
sometimes congratulate myself that our
interests were SO far separated.
was now said TO be confirmed old
maid; yet was comparatively happy in
the routine Of duties ! had laid out Tor my
self My mother, since had relieved her
OF much care, was sometimes kind, and |
though. from her manner that she reproach
ed herself for the harshness she hnd exhib.
tied towards me for so many years. As
10 my father, although not demonstra,ive
in his character, knew myselfindispensa-
BILE to his comfort. had relieved him en-
,irely from the pressure Of business; ! act
ed as bis amnnuensis, had the charge of his
papers, and he appeared to imagine no
transaction could be arranged without my
assistance. With my venerable parent !
spent many pleasant hours; he had always
been gentle, he was now doub!y so; and
the pleasure he tookin my society was so
apparent that il constituted my principal
happiness to attend upon him. Yet the
youthful heart requireth
"NIore than filial love alone,"
and experienced that aching void which
Is many times the result Of nnsatisiied
yearnings after deeper, truer affection.
have before said that papa was the
agent Of Mr.. Bary.on, a wealthy gentleman
who owned fine estate which lay within
a walking distance Of our home. 1t had
been eight or ten years, since this gentle
man had visited his property, and. as the
management was left entirely in the hands
Of my father, sometimes accompanied him
hi,her when he went on business. a
house keeper, aud few laborcrs, occupied
n poriion of tho mansion, which in our