Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-06-16

WOMAN IN POVERTY.

"Woman, even less than man is what she should
he as the whole. She is not that sclf-centured
being, full Of profound Institutions, angelic love,
ard flowing pocsy, that she should he. Yet there
are circumstances, i'll which the native force and
purity Of her being, teach her how to conquer,
where the restless impotence Of Man brings de
feat, and leaves him crushed and bleeding ON the
field.
Images rise to mind, OF calm strength, Of gen
tie wisdom learning from every turn of adverse
fate-Uf youthful tenderness, and faith uudim-
med to the close Of life, which redeem humanity,
and make tho heart glow with fresh courage, as
we write. They are mostly from obscure corners,
and very private walks. There was nothing shin.
ing, nothing OF an Obvious and sounding heroism,
to mako their conduct doubtful, by tainting their
motives with vanity. Unknown they lived, un
trumpetcd they died Many hearts were warmed
and fed 10y them, bat perhaps no mind but our
own, ever consciously took account Of their viz
tues.
clad Art but the power, adequately to tell their
simple virtues, and cast upon them the light,
which shining through these marked and faded
6,ccs, loretold the glories of n second spring.
The tears Of holy emotion, which fall from those
eyes, have seemed to us. pearls beyond all price ;
or rather, whose price will be paid only when, be-
yond the grave, they enter those better spheres,
in whose faith they felt and acted here.
'Erom this private gallery we will, for tho pres
ent bring forth but one picture. That of n Black
Nun who was wont to ictter theeycs OF visitors inthe
royal galleries Of France, and my Sister of Mercy,
too, if Of that complexion. The old woman was
recommends as a laundrcss by my friend, who
had long prize her. | was Immediately struck
with the dignity and p%ropricty Of her manner,
In the depth of winter, she brought, herself, the
heavy baskets, though the slippery streets and
when | asked her why she did not employ some
younger person to do what was 50 entirely dispro-
portioned to her strength, simply said, "shc lived
alone, aud could not afford to hire an GRAND boy
II was hard for her? No, she was fortunate in
being able to get work Mt her age, when others
could do it better. Her friends were very good
to procure t for her. Had she a comfortable
home" Tolcrably so-she should not need one
long Was that a thought of Joy to herr Yes
Tor she hoped to see again the husband and chill
dren from whom she had long been separated
Thus much in answer to the questions, but at
other times, the little she said was on general top
les. 1t was pot from her that l learned how the
great idea Of Duty had held her upright through
a life Of incessant toll, sorrow, bereavement and
that not only she had remained upright, but that
her character had oeen constantly progressive.
Her latest act had been to take home a poor sick
cir! who had no. home of her own, and could not
bear the idea Of dying in a hospital, and maintain
and nurse her through the last weeks of her life.
Her cye-sight was failing, and she should not be
able to work much longer-but then, God would
provide. Somebody ought to see to the poor moth
erless girl
at was not merely the greatness of the act. for
one in such circumstances, but the quiet matter
of-course way in which it was done, that showed
the habituul tone Of the mind, and made us feel
that life could hardly do more for Il human being,
than to make him or her the somebody that is SO
deeply needed, to represent the right, to do the
plain right thing.
"'God will provide. Yes, it is the poor who
feel themselves near to the God Of love. Though
he slay them, still do they trust him..
81 hope said to q poor a~pple-woman, who
had been drawn to disclose a tale of distress, that
lalunnst in tho nor hon III Ollhn mo uPnry a