The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-08-11

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WOMAN, even less than Man, is what.
she should be rs whole. She is not
that selfcentred being, full of profound
intuitions, angelic love, and flowing poesy,
that she should be. Yet there are cir
cumstances in which the native force and
purity of her being teach her how to con-
quer where the restless impotence of
Man brings defeat, and leaves him crushed
and bleeding en- the field.
Images rise to mind of calm strength,
Of gentle wisdom learning from every
turn of adverse fate,-of youthful tender
ness and faith undimmed to the close of
life, which redeem humanity and make
the heart glow with fresh courage as we
write. They are mostly from obscure
corners and very private walks. There
was nothing shining, nothing of an obvi-
GUS and sounding heroism to make their
conduct doubtful, by tainting their mo-,
tives with vanity. Unknown they lived
untrumpeted they died. Many hearts
wore warmed and fed by them, but per-
haps no mind but our own ever con-
sciously took account Of their virtues. :
Had Art but the power adequately to
tell their simple virtues, and to cast upon
them the light which, shining through
these marked and faded faces, foretold
the giories of a second spring! The tears
of holy emotion which fell from those
eyes have seemed to US pearls beyond all
price; or rather, whose price will be paid
only when, beyond the grave, they enter
| those better spheres in whose faith they
felt and acted here. a
From this private gallery we will, for
the present. bring forth but one picture.
That of Black Nun was wont to fetter
the eyes of visitors in the royal galleries
of France, and my Sister of Mercy, too,
is of that complexion. The old woman
was recommended as a laundress by my
friend, who had long priced her. I was
Immediately struck with the dignity and
propriety of her manner. In the depth
of winter she brought herself the heavy
baskets through the slippery streets; and,
when asked her why see did not en-
ploy some younger person to do what
was so entirely disproportioned to her
strength, simply said, "she lived alone
and could not afford to hire an GRAND
boy" cit was hard for herr" "No,
she was fortunate in being able to get
work at her age, when others could do it
better. Her friends were very good to
procure it for her." "Iad she COM
Portable home?" "Tqlerably so,-she
should not need one long" "Was that
3 thought of JOY to herr eyes. for she
hoped to see again the husband and chill
dren from whom she had long been sepa-
rated"
Thus much in answer to the questions,
but at other times the little she said was
on general topics. 1t was not from her
that learnt how the great idea of Duty
had held her upright through life of
incessant toll, sorrow, bereavement; and
that not only she had remained upright,
but that her character had been constantly
progressive. Her latest act had been to
take home poor sick girl who had no
home of her own, and could not bear the
idea of dying in au hospital, and maintain
and nurse her through the last weeks of
her life. "Her eye-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 mo-
therless girl"
1t 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 habitual
tone of the mind, and made us feel that
life could hardly do more for human
being than to make him or her the some
body that is daily 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.
az hope" said / to poor apple wo-
man, who had becn drawn on to disclose
a tale Of distress that, almost in the mere
hearing, made me weary Of life, 81 hope
1 may yet see you in a happier condition"
"With Gods help" she replied, with .
smile that Raphael would have delighted
to transfer to his canvass; Mozart to
strains of angelic sweetness. All her life
she had seemed an outcast child: still she
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