The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-30
for tlle firesile Cltair,
UNr THANKFUL.
BY MARY C. VAUGHAN.

How beautiful is the village street, this
breathless summer morning. Long shadows,
from the dropping Gins and stately oaks, lie
on the dewy grass that lines the roadside. A
Sabbath stiffness broods over all. 1t is the
Sabbath, and within the pretty houses, on Ell
ther side the street, we see cleanly-clad chill
dren, and men whose brown faces tell of
weekly toll, now smooth-shaved and snug,
reading their bibles, and preparing their Sum
day lessons, while the mothers of the house
holds hustle round on needful cares intent,
but with more than weekday quietness.
Hush now! You see that open window ?.
Just glance within, as you pass, and tell me
what you see.
"A beautiful old lady!''
All! knew you would be struck with her.
She is one to please your artistic eye; with
those soft rings of purely white hair falling
about the pale, exquisite face, with that holy
sweetness of expression, with that gentle re-
pose of air and attitude.
All, yes ! A woman may be beautiful in
age. think the beauty of age far more
touching than that of youth It has its sto-
ry, tits a sweet, glad surprise to those who
witness it. azs
We expect the young to be beautiful
Youth, itself alone, is powerful charm; its
unsullied innocent freshness SO attracts the
eye and heart. But the beauty that survives
the sad experiences of life, its corroding sor-
rows, its wearing physicalsilis! I do not
know that any poet has sung it, or any paint
er been inspired to trace its story on the glow
ing canvass. But there are hearts that feel it.
nevertheless, and eyes that glisten with glad
tears at beholding it. 51
I" What is her name ?'' r1e
It is a quaint one, telling its own tale of
her Puritan descent-T Thankful Brewster i
Miss Brewster, strangers call her; but to the
village peoples and all who know her we'll,
she is :" "AunB Thankful" and she is of suffi-
cient kindred to all true, loyal and loving
souls, to bear out the title. ~
!" Miss Brewster! Then she never mar
ried Pr - Hz'i7'sf -aa
No. Wait one moment and you will see
the apparent reason fer her sirlhood, beautiful
as she is, aud was. You see that tall hand
some young fellow, drawing the little carriage
that might be pony ph@ton, only that it
is too light and airy for that usc,-and is, at
the same time, too large for child's toy
wagon,-along the street. He stops at Aunt
Thankful's door, and goes in. af
Wait here, the bells are sounding out SO
sweet and clear, the call to church. You
shall see Aunt Thankful go thither, right
,royally. like little queen as she is. See a
| little maiden brings her fine straw cottage bon
net, with its soft white ribbands, and her pesrly
/ silken shawl. How like picture she looks
and you see that she is very tiny as the young
man lifts her carefully in his arms, and bears
her forth, and seats her in the little carriage
The small handmaiden follows and locks the
door, and the procession sets forth-the tai
fellow, in his careless strength, drawing thu
carriag by one hand, and half turning to tall
with its fairy-like, but stately occupant tn
'tdemure child, III Sunday best, following be
before the church door, and the young maj
again lifts his light burden, while score o
4 willing hands are ready to seize the little cal
riage and lace it in its own nook.
i And Thankful rides thus to church ever
summer Sunday, rides thus all about the wi
lage streets. The beautiful head and bus
the slender, rounded arms, and lovely hand
are all perfect. though SO tiny; but from he
birth she has been the helpless creature yo
see-not deformed, but powerless. Never, i
the fifty years of her life has she walked on
step unaidcJ. With much help, and gre;
difficulty, she can cross room, but that is al
Her life has been spent upon her couch {
q chair.
"Ah! what useless and wretched life p
Useless and wretched Oh, far, far frol
, either! Most useful, most peaceful, rathe
Not without its sorrows-what human life II
Not without its rich compensation-wha h
man life is? Aunt Thankful has been ha]
. py because she has given her best efforts, h
/! richest thoughts for the benefit of Others
There is 40 surer panacea for all ones SO
: rows than to live out of self, and for othel
!, That is my advice for all sickly, selfish sent
mentalists.
Thankful Brewster's girlhood was very ri,
Il in loving care. As is SO natural, the moth
clung more fondly to the tiny, PALE. .helple
{ morsel of humanity, her youngest child, th
W all the stalwart sons and ruddy daught'