The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-06-19
Nellie and I.
BY CROSBY.

D.
By CROSBY.
Nellie, the mother, my young wife, is but
twenty. am twenty five. As Nellie, the
child, is my dearest pet so is Nellie, the
mother, my deares. friend; she is more than
that, she is myself. Nay, more than that,
she is my oil. Taken from me, I should
care for nothing, love nothing, hop in moth
ng.
Nellie, my wife, has petite and symme-
tricsl figure the daintiest little foot that ev-
er graced slipper; the choicest hand that
ever was given away profusion of golden
curls; the fairest and most comely brow
that ever enclosed thought hazel eyes,
full Of expression andlight; bewitching lips,
and soul that lights up her whole self, till
her beautiful face kindles with glow which
is fascination itself Such is she in my
eyes. Perhaps stranger, perhaps friend,
even, is all unconscious of these varied at
fractions would rather have my eyes
than his by the difference Of a mountain Of
gold.
We ara not rich; ws are even poor in the
common meaning Of the term. We had
nothing when we married We have just
bought cottage and paid al our earniugs
for that, and have nothing'le left To be sure,
there is the furniture, the crockery and
kitchen utensils; but nothing else. We
have health, contentm,nt AMI peace. am
at work every morning with the sunbeans.
am at hons every night with the first
shadow
Bat our cottage. +. isjust Old enough to
bs a little moss-grown; just large enough to
be cozy and ye. roomy it is not in the viii
lsge, but just one side Of the main highway,
hidden from the busting goers and corners
by little cluster Of trees, standing there
ike de,r friends protecting my Neies from
the noise, confusion and dust There are
rosebnshes under the windows and soft grass
everywhere. There is no brick pavement
hemning in the neat, white yard. am
glad fit. Nature mikes me prettier pave
ment Of grasses, sorrel and clover My two
Nellies sit under the shadetrees on the green
earth carpet, hour after hour in the warm
bright days. Nellie, the mother, is always
busy with her dinner, and innumerable lit
tie tasteful garments and decoratio IS are af-
terwards found on the child Nellie's brisk
little figure. think she is always busy, on
ly stopping now and then to re curl an in.
trac,able golden ringlet.
Within doors are the sitting-room and
kitchen. hardly know which love best
The sitting room has prettier furniture and
is carpcted; there are books there are vases
flowers. But the white floor of the kitchen
has an attraction for me- II is so Clean
And the half open door Of the curboard dis.
plays such a wealth Of shining crockery, SO
prettily arranged. Then recognize this as
the neat laboratory ofmy chemist, whence
come those nice warm biscuit, and the
steam:ng tea. After all believe like the
kitchen best for Nellie is there moro than
anywhere else. Her presence would hallow
any spot for me. We have beautiful little
parlor too; but that is for show, and has
few associations.
Supper is always ready when I come from
my work. While my wife is arranging af.
fairs for tho evening, little nellie and have
frolic on the hoor Then the mother sits
down with us and reads to me. But when
Nellie grows sleepy there is change, and
have time to muse. How beautiful she
looks in her simple nisht-dress, with her
dropping eyelids She comes to me for a
kiss, and is led away. hear the murmur
ofvoices for a little time, and am sure that
the Great Father will listen to this prayer of
love and purity.
Then the hours fly away like magic. We
read, chat and sing, as we list we have
not wish beyond our possessions. With
the striking Of nine, Allie brings from the
book case our treasure ofa Bible, a mothers
gift, bound in purple morocco and gilt
The taper fingers turn the leaves; the rich
voice, mellowed by sacred tho lghts, reaches
the master-chord ofmy nature it breaths
into my soul the spirit prayer. Then we
kneel,, and my tongue gives utterancc to the
joy, gratitude and trust ofour hearts. The
great benefcent Being smiles upon US: We
are grateful. Nellie and T.
The Board Of Supervisors of Mahaska
County have appropriated $7o7,Oo for the
benefit OF the Mahaska Greys, and $500
for maintaining families Of destitute volun-
tecrs.
The Board of Supervisors Tor Muscatinc
county have Appropriated $4,000 towards the
support Of families of volunteers.
Whatever is necessary to be done. can be
done. Natare Is TOO wise and beneficent TO
yok necessity with impossibility.
The happinesc Of every one depends more
on his own mind, than upon any or all ex-
ternal circumstances.
Many who would not for he world uftcS