The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-03-07
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First Marriage in the Family.

"Home! How that little word strikes
upon the heart-strings, awakening all the
sweet memories, that had slept in memory's
chamber! Our home was "pearl of price"
among homes; not for its architectural ele-
gance-for it was only four-gabled brown,
country-house. abated by two antediluvian
oak trees; nor was its interior crowded with
luxuries that charm life and come from ev-
cry cline. Its furniture had grown old with
Us, for we remember no other; and though
polished as highly as furniture could be, by
daily scrubbing, was somewhat the worse
for wear, it must be confessed
But neither the house nor its furnishing
makes the home, and the charm Of ours lay
in the sympathy that linked the nine who
called it 'home' TO one another. Father,
mother, and seven children-fve of them
gay hearted girls and two boys, petted just
enough to be spoiled-not one link, had ev-
er dropped from the chain of love, or one
corrodiDg drop fallen upon its brightness.
'One star difereth from another in glo-
ry,' even in the armament Of home. Thus
though we could not have told a stranger
which sister or brother was dearest-from
our gentlest 'e)dest,' and invalid herself, but
the comforter and counsellor of all besides,
to the curly-haired boy who romped and re-
joiced in the appellation Of baby given
FIVE years before--still an observing eye
would soon have singled out sister Ellen as
the sunbeam of our heaven, the morning
star Of enr constellation. She was the sec
ond in age, but the first in the inheritance
Of that load Of responsibility, which in such
household falls naturally upon the eldest
daughter. Eliza ss have said was i'll from
early girl-hood and Ellen had shouldered all
her burden OF care and kindness with a
lighter heart and lighter step. Up stairs
and down cellar--in the parlor, nursery or
kitchen-at the piano or the washtub-with
pen, pencil, needle or ladle,-sister Ellen
was always busy always with a smile on her
cheek, and a warble on her lip.
& Quietly, happjly, the months and years
went by. We never realized that change
was to come over our band. To be sure
when mother would look in upon us, seated
together, with our books, painting, and nee
adls.work, and say, in her gentle way. witt
only half a sigh, 'ah, girls, you are living
your happiest days!" we would glance into
each others eyes and wonder who would g
frst. But il was q wonder that passed ava,
with The hour and ruffled not even the sur
face Of our sisterly hearts. 1t could not b,
: always so-and the danger came at last!
Sister Ellen was to be married!
a' Il waa like crash of thuaderbolt in
clear summer sky! Sister Ellen-the fair
of the hearthssone, the darling Of ever
Ihesrt--which Of US could spare her! VIII
had: been 80 presumptuous as to find cut be
wertht For the first moment the questio
burst from each surprised, half angry siste
Of the bIushing fearful Ellen. II was onl
for . amoment for our hearts told US that n
body could help loving her, who locke
through her loving blue eyes into the cle'
well spring Of that heart beneath. So "
threw our arms around her. and sobb'
swithonts word. !. s.. ss is,5
we knew very well that the young clerg.
man whose Sunday sermons and gentle =
smoaitions had won I'll hearts. had been {
months weekly visitor to cur fresido q
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