Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-26

I
CANT housewifery are impossible, that wo-
mans fertile resources OF tact and skill
most strikingly appear-often making the
rude log house and simple home made
furniture, wear an aspect of comfort and
taste, not unfrcquently wanting in homes
Of luxury.
The household consisted of the father
already introduced - mother, three
daughters, and the young man who had
called for my services.
1" Mother is not well, and would like to
see you moment" remarked one Of the
young ladies, showing mo into an ad-
joining room, where loving hands had
spared no pains to forti(y its pining in
mate against exposure, aud soothe the
anguish Of suffering.
A bed, with its snowy counterpane aud
tasteful curtains, stood in one corner OF
tho apartment. On it reeincd the dying
mother, the cmaciatcd frame and hectic
cheek marking her victim Of consump
ton.
Il am 80 glad to scc," said she, ex-
tending her hand at is a long time
since u minister of the gospel has entered
our door; and yet regret you have been
put to so much trouble and exposure in
coming. God viii reward you. But
wished to speak with you about this mar.
rage
From her remarks | learned that the
family were from New England. ller
had -. brrna from, fhn
war, removed them to the West, making
some one or two temporary locations,
then selling out and going still further
into the unsettled woods. 1t WAS while
Oh their way out that the young man, to
whom their daughter was now engaged,
made their acquaintance, aud joined his
fortunes with theirs. 1t was under cir
cumstances Of great trial to them, and his
presence and aid were peculiarly accepta-
BILE, indeed indispensable. With untlring
zeal he devoted himself to their comfort,
and whether on the long journey in the
emigrant wagon, or in the tolls incident
to making a new home he was like son
and brother.
I'VE came here" said the mother,
"hecause Of my health, hoping that the
climate might do for me Whit mcttclne
would not. I now see it was too late. -
Bat for my husband aud Georges sake,
who have sacrificed so much on my ac-
count, hope this last settlement may
prove productive, one day. They have
secured goo.l tract Of land, that must
BE- valuable by-anl-5y; but We are lsnl
ipJor now all our money is gone. An
other season, however, we hope our crops
will bring US something more thaa the ne
ce=saries Of life. George is like child
to me-and what is more he is christian.
Annie and he are tenderly attached, and
despite our present poverty, shall rejoice
III knowing that they are united before l
am called away"
But the few friends that had been III
yited, had come in; the simple words
that make two iuseparably one were ut
tered an1 then as the table was being
laid, bride an! Bridegroom poured forth
their joy in christian soug. Strangely
touching was it, here on the lone prairie
to listen to the welded love they express
cd. Very happy were they, and eomeiy
too, in the freshness and vigor Of their
youth. Aud, us We gathered around the
Widespread board, the sick mother taking
her place once more at tho head Of the
table, her face bcaming with the peace
she felt, there was glow Of happiness
? my heart, such as l never experienced be-
fore as guest at a marriage feast.
"Wc!l, elder" said my Methodist
friend as | alightcd at his door on my re-
turn, mot limb broken, ch ? But you
had to swim the river! Guess you didn't
get much of fee, though, did you y
Never better paid in my lifc-what's S
my bill for Black Hawk ?"
"Wcll seeing you feel so rich, shan't
charge you anything this time. All is
I'm glad you got back safe and sound. i