The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-08-17
Ellen Dane, or the Daughters Vow.
ATaIe of New Hampshire.
BY MARY GRACE nAPLE,E.

BY MARY GRACE HAPLEE, ..t
The following touching and affecting in.
stance OF sisters devotion occurred in a
manufacturing town in New Hampshire,
not many years ago. II was related TO
the author by the brother of the girl alud-
ed to, now minister in an adjoining State,
and is as true as afiecling:--
Ellen Dane was the only daughter of a
once hourshing merchant; the idol of a
large circle of admiring friends, the pride
of fond father, who suffered not even the
winds Of heaven to visit the cheek Of his
darling too roughly.
When he lived, his strong arm protected
her from all sorrow, his kind hand sur
rounded her with every blessing that pa
rental lave could devise, or money procure.
But she bad the misfortune 10 lose him at
the early age of thirteen.
Colonel Dane at the time of his death
was supposed to be in aflluent circumslan-
ces. But his estate was found to be heav-
lily morigaged, and after paying The debts
incurred by his long and expensive sick
ness, there was nothing but bare pit
tance left Tor the widow and her children.
Alas, for human nature! There were
lew OF the many persons who lluttered
around them in their prosperity, willing
now 10 slep forward to their assistance
and, after struggling on for three years an.
der the pressure Of cares aud burlIeus she
was ill.lated to sustain, Mrs. Dane sank
into the grave, leaving her Two (aherlCss
children 10 the cold mercy of strangers.
A short time before her death, abe call
ed her children 10 her, and placing the tiny
fingers of her son in the hand of her
daughter, she solemnly committed him tC
her care.
"Be mother 10 him, Ellen" she said
laying her trembling hand upon the bowed
head of the weeping girl; 'be mother IL
him; he will now have no one 10 love hin
but you" ...
BY the bedside of her dying mother
amid tears and sobs, Ellen gave the requir
ed promise.
"Yon will not forget, Ellen" repeated
Mrs. Dane earnestly "you will not for
gel."
"lf do so, may God forget me in my
last hour" returned Ellen solemnly.
"God bless you! my daughter" was tn,
faint response of Mrs. Dane; you hav'
made my last hour happy; the Almight,
bless you!"
That blessing sank deep into heart o
Ellen.
Pale and fearful. Ellen Dane turned
away from her mothers grave-no longe
a child, but woman, with woman's du
ties aud responsibilities resting upon her
Her young heart was strong within her
but unaccustomed TO struggle with th
world, what could she do! Whittier cOul
she direct her steps! Her fathers bIothe
offered her a home in his family, but h
didn't want the boy, he had quite enoug
ol his own. Another relative. in disIau
State, proposed adopting her brother, bu
Ellen declined, knowing but TOO well h
would not be to him kind protector, bu
a harsh and cruel master. ...
Ellen had heard of a far of place
where many Of her own sex gained a
humble but honest livelihood, by the labo
of their hands, aud she resolved 10 see
ii. She, therefore, sold the wreck Of lhel
property, and, taking with her her brother
then but nine years OF age she bent he
way 10 the "Granite State;" entering Ih
noted manufacturing town oi-
There, with a strong, hopeful hear
though feeble hand, she loiled day afle
day, week after week, feeling well repai
with every pain, every priya,ion, by tn
increasing strength and heallh(ul bloom {
, her youthful charge, who early evince
unusual intelligence, and thirst for know
edge, which she determined should b
graliGed.
A year passed slowly by, and found he
still toiliEg on. Not even the voice
love, so dear to her woman's heart, coul
lure her from that lOwly path. A mani
lorIn sought her side, manly voice wooe
her; yet, though her loving heart plea
strongly in his favor. she sweryed moi.
81 canno, leave my brother" was h,
: firm reply, as he warmly urged lis sui
: Nor can | consent to bring to nv hu
> band double burden"
: Vainly he argued that she had done h,
duty by him; that it was no, right Tor he
I to sacrifice her health and every hope
happiness to his advancement Vanl
did he portray in glowing colors, the ligl
: Of happy home, the comforts with whlc
he would surround her. She was firm.