Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-11-01

ify the entire opinion of Society? And is not law
the mere record of aggregate opinion
Truly the cackling hen brought no such thoughts
to simple Esther and her brother John. To them
il merely announced that another egg was laid and
thereby another cent gained toward the purchase
Of n new book. They talked the stories over by
the light Of the moon, or recited TO each other To-
vo rite passages from Burns and Bloomfield. When
the feld.laborers took their monday rest, you
would be sure to find John hidden away in the
shade Of a haystack, devouring O book. His zeal
attracted the ministers attention., and he often
stopped to talk with him. One day, he said to the
mother, "This boy will make something extraordl
nary. He must go to college, ma'am,"
BLESS my heart, | might as well think Of send
ing him to the moon ~ she replied.
But Esther heard il, with a quick blush of pleas
ure and pride; and henceforth the one absorbing
thought OF her life was how to assist in sending
John TO college. Busily she calculated how muct
could be earned in two years by knitting, and bind
ing shoes, and braiding straw. John listened with
rapture to her plans, but his triumph was checked
midway by the recollection that his sister could
not go to college with him. "Why, Esther
you have always been my teacher" he said. You
learn faster than l, and remember better. Why
don't women 90 to collegeP
"They could MT be lawyers, and ministers, and
Judges, if they did" answered Esther.
"Why mott" said John.
Esther's knowledge and reflection on the subject
stopped there, and she simply replied that women
never had done such things.
Why, yes, they have" said John. 1.-THE Bible
Gays that Deborah was n judge; and Queen Eliza
beth was more than a Judge; and we read the 9th.
err day that Isabella of s 1ain know how to direct
an army and govern the state better than her hus'
band, King Ferdinand. l am sure l don't see why
women should MT go to college,"
The boy. in the eageruess of brotherly love, had
started ideas which he was too ignorant to follow.
But in his simple question lies the germ of thought
that will revolutionize the world. For as surely
as there is a God of harmony in the universe, so
surely will woman one day become the acknowl-
edged equal and co-Torker of man in erery depart
ment of life, and yet be mole truly gentle and af-
tectionate than she now is.
But Esther was too young to reflect on such mat
tiers. She loved her brother, and she wanted him
to 90 to college; and with unquestioning diligence
she applied her faculties to the purpose in every
way that was left open for her. She scarcely nj
lowed herself time to eat and sleep, and gru6ged
every article of rpparel, so Jealous was her sister.
ly love. Poor girl! there was no one to teach her
the physical laws, and she knew not that toiling
thus perpetually, without exercise for the body,
or recreation for the mind, was slow suicide
Month after month she labOrod, and seldom spoke
f of pains in her side, and confused feelings in hel
head. Even her favorite luxury of reading was
! almost entirely relinquished; and John had little
leisure to read to her such books as were entertain
ing. The minister had offered to hear him recitC
Latin and Greek once a week, and he was too busy
with the Classics to have time for Voyages anC
Travels. He often repeated his lessons to his sis
ter, and from his bold translations she here ant
there CLEANED a few ideas: but this kind of menta
effort was little profitable and less enlivening-
Blessed Nature stood ever ready to strengthen her
The golden dandelion blossoms smiled brightly il
her face, and the trees stretched their friendl
arms over her in blessings; but she had no time t
listen to their kind voices. 1t would have bee
diffeul to lure her aside from her arduous patti
AVIAN If she had known that IL v0nl1 lead IN a
/ open tomb.
r When an object is pursued with such concentrt
r ted aim and persevering effort, it is almost Away
attained. John taught school in the Winters, an
worked at whatever his hand could find to do i
the Summsrs. Esther boarded all her earnings t
add to the Education Fund, as they called it; an
their good friend the minister borrowed a hundre
, dollars for them, to be repaid according to shei
own convenience. At last, the darling hope o
!, many years was realized. John went to college
and soon ranked among the best scholars of hi
class. His sister still toiled, that he might have
suficiency of books and clothing. He studied har
g and taught school during college vacations, and re
turned home at the end OF four years, alternate
( almost to n skeleton.
). The new milk and cheese whey, the breath
n the cows and the verdure of the fields, refreshe
d him, and in some degree restored his exhauste
Il strength. But now he was fretted with the que
e ton, what to do with the education he had acqui
ed with SO much hardship. An additional expe
e diture of time and money was required to fit hi
for the professions. He was not stimulated by ar
strong preference for either of them, and his &c
r erous soul resisted the idea of taxing his dear 81
ters strength any farther for his own advantage.
e. The old question of his boyhood returned with a
se ditional force. Why should she, with her mob
nature and admirable faculties, be forever penn,
r. up within the small routine of petty cares al
lie mere mechanical efforts? Why should she n
share his destiny, and enjoy with him a more e
ID pansive atmosphere for soul and body? To tn
end he resolved to labor. lie would earn mon,
g. by The readiest means that offered, and devote b
,e earnings to her improvement. But Esther said, g
8. you educate me, dear John, what can l do wi
c. my education ? can do nothing bat teach scho
and for that | I'm sure my health is not adequat
n The doctor says | must take as much exercise
IN possible"
"The doctor ~ exclaimed John. "Why, EsthC
IL you never told me you had been i'll enough to co
le suit a physician"
US at is merely a slight difficulty in my lungs
ly she replied. 81 am going to spin on the gre
al wheel this Winter; and | think that will cure II
lie Do not trouble your kind heart about me, dc
he John. While | have any health and strength
IN will never consent to be a burden upon you, no
- ever much you may urge it. | do not believe ii
y. sisters ought to depend upon brothers for suppo
VS. am sure it is far better for the character of v
IN men to rely upon their own energies. But son
times | think we have not a fair chance in (
10 world. l often wish as you do, that it was easy
Id us to obtain a more liberal education, and Gus
at mary to use that education in a freer scope for
It. our faculties. But never mind, dear brother, t
door of your cage is open, and the world is ALL
r. fore you. Go where you will. / know you W
re never forget the sister who loves you so dearly.
ed You are destined to go far ahead of me in life;
in your good heart will never allow you to be asha
to ed of your poor pntutored Esther"
ne John folded her close to his heart, and turn
away to hide the gathering tears. He was me-
no than ever DESTROYS to do something for the hi
10, culture of that generous and affectionate soul.
The way to earn a moderate income was soon opt
,,e- ed to him. The widowed sister of one of
ke college professors wanted a privated tutor for b
sons; and John Golding was recommended by b
o. brother. Here he came in contact, for the fl
r. time, with the outward refnements Of life. Char
ly ing music, harmonious colors, elegant funitul
of and, above all, the daily conversation of a cult,
Sc ted woman, breathing their gentle and refining
fuences over his strong and honest soul. AT fl
a he was shy and awkward, but the kindly atm,
lie phere aroand him gradually unfolded the sleepil