The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-10-09

| emmy Will uOOh, &UU INcHle Wlln b pleC(
Of needlc-work that she was dong rnde,
Emily's supervision. Nellie wore the lila
print, which EmiIy's skillfnl fingers had re
modelled |; and her hair, which Emily had ar
ranged in full, soft curis, fell over her neck
! Emily was reading aloud, stopping nov
and then to show Nellie about the formation
of leaf or flower, when the latter suddenly
exclaimed, "Why, there carriage at the
gate, and it's Fred Gray and Helen and Min.
ME Lee I wonder what it means--they
never come here'' ;as (
Emily sprang to her feet, saying hastily,
/ "They were my school friends at Rockland,' y
and ran down the walk to meet them. Ia
The visitors had accidentally heard that
Emily was at Clayton Farm, and had rode
over to invite her to spend few Days with
Them a5s a6 ani asir tpT al3 as
The party declined Nellie's timid invita-
ton to walk in, and seated themselves in the
porch There was much laughing and talk
ing, "reminiscences Of old times at Rockland.
and discussion of events that had transpircd
since. @ hdr u4 Gsf
After spending cheerful hour, the visi
tors took leave, having obtained Emily's pro.
mise to visit them the ensuing week. Nellie
was included in the invitation, but, knowing
it to be mere matter of courtesy, she briefly
declined.
After they haG gone, she sat silent for
some time, and Emily noticed that now and
then tear-drop fell on her work. At length,
putting her arms around her, Emily said,
"What is it, little cousins? Tell me all about
it, perhaps I can help you." a.. 1.
Nellie laid her head OH Emily's shoulder
and sobbed that she was unhappy. "You
know how we live here, cousin Emily.
have to work all the time, and father isn't
able to get me books and a great many things
that I want, and that other girls have. No
body comes here that care about, and when
you are gone, shall be so lonesome. III
could only 60 away to school, think, per-
haps, might, after awhile, teach as you do;
but, as it is, I don't see any prospect Of a
change for the better.'' ssa
Emily kissed her and smiled. 81 am glad
you want to improve. Nellie; but how is it
that uncle is So poor? Don't he own this
placer" aiia
"Ycs; but part of the land isn't good for
much, and father just keeps out of debt"
Emily thought few minutes, and then
said, $50 you have no hope Of better times
have; but think it depends, in great
measure, upon YOURSELF avs 81
Nellie looked surprised. Emily went on.
"You have not enjoyed the training of a iu.
dicious mother as l have, and if you will al
low me, ! will give you the benefit Of her
teachings, as far as can. Ifyou will fol.
low my advice, you may bring about differ
ent state Of things; but you must not despise
the key of small beg egipnings, and you must
learn to make the most and the best of ev-
erything. If we are not faithful with a little,
how can we hope to be entrusted with more?
Why mother and have only few acres Of
land, and yet VIC live comfortably and pleas
antly. Now il you'll try, Nellie, I'll tell you
how to manage everything"
'How?" said Nellie. ~ aa
''Go to the district school in winter, for
two or three years, and learn all you cam
Do y,ur best. And If, at the end of three
years, you are not able to go to Rockland, /
will engage to pay your ex lenses till you arc
fitted for teaching, when you can repay me.
am quite independent you know, as my
salary is large"
Nellic's face frightened. "Oh! cousin
Emily" she said, "you are so good win
do anything you tell me, If you will only
help me-" Emily smiled
"Listcn them" she said. "First of all
seek the blessing of the Lord that maketh
rich and addcth no sorrow,' and without
which you need not expect to be prospered
in any undertaking. I usually retire early
and rise at daybreak; ifyou will do so, you
can easily secure at least an hour in the early
morning for reading the Scriptures ane pray
er, besides having more time for other things
than you now do. Do you remember the
promises to Israel Of old? You know how
they were blessed when they were obedient.
It seems SO strange to me that people will
live as if they believed there was no God
now to control the affairs of men. But about
yourself, Nellie, l want you to be neat, or
derly, and Industrious. Never be careless
about your personal appearance at any time;
wear aneat wrapper in the morning, with .
linen collar or muslin ruffle; and always
brush yonr hair nicely before you go down
stairs. Little things go to make up the
great sum Of life. | will show you how to
fit your dresses; and as to books and other
things, you can make quantity Of butter,
and raise poultry this summer, and dispose
of them in the fall. You can also dry a
great many apples, and SO not only replcnish
your wardrobe, but also purchase some arti
cles for the house, such as wall paper, cur
tains, etc; and get uncle to subscribe for .
good agricultural paper. think every one
who has even garden should take one. and
to farmer is indispensable. We take one,
and it is great help about managing our
little place. Il 4s -
~ have shrewd suspicion that uncle
might realize great deal more from his land
il he understood the best way Of managing