The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-10-03
12iisrcllanp.
A Domestic Sketch.

It is the duty Of mothers to sustain In the re
vsrses of fortune. FREQUENT and sudden as they
have been in our country, 1t Is important
that Young females should possess some employ
ment by which they might obtain livelihood
in case thew should be reduced to the necessity
of supporting themselves. When families are
UNEXPECTEDLY reduced from affiuence to poverty,
how pitifully contemplate it is to see the moth
or desponding and helpless, and permitting her
dauohters TO embarrass those whom it is their
duty 10 assist and cheer!
81 have lost my whole fortune" said mer-
chant, as he returned one evening to his home.
1--WE can no longer keep our carriage: we must
leave this large house: the children can no long
or 90 to expensive schools. Yesterday l was q
rich man. to-day there Is nothing can call my
own"
"Dsar husband" said the wife, 1--WE are still
rich in each other and our children Money may
pass away. but God has given us treasure in
those active hands and loving hearts"
"Dear father" said the children 'do not look
so sober. We will help you to get living
"What can you do, poor things" said the
father.
..You shall see, you shall see,' answered sew
eral cheerful voices. ut is pity if we have
been to school for nothing How can the father
of eight children be poor? We shall work and
make you rich again"
81, shall help" said the youngest girl, hardly
four years old. ~ will not have any new things
bought and will sell my great doll"
The heart of the husband and father, which
had sunk within his bosom like a stone, was
lifted up. The sweet enthusiasm cheered him,
and his nightly prayer was like song OF praise.
They left the stately house. The servants
were dismissed. Pictures and plate, rich car
pets, and furniture We're sold, and she who had
been mistress of the mansion shed no tears.
"Pay every debt said she, "let no one suffer
through u.s. we may yet be happy"
He rented a neat cottage and small piece of
ground few miles from the city With the aid
of his sons he cultivated vegetables for the mar
ket. He viewed with delight and establishment
the economy of his wife, nurtured she had
been, in wealth, and the efficiency which his
daughters soon acquired under her training.
The eldest one assisted her in the work of the
household, and also instructed the younger child
rem. Besides they executed various works which
they had learned as accomplishments, but which
they found could be disposed of to advantage.
They embroidered with taste some of the orna-
mental parts of female apparel which were read
lily sold to a merchant in the city.
They cultivated flowers and sent bouquets to
market in the cart that conveyed the vegetables
they plated straw, they painted maps, they
her post, busy and cheerful. The cottage was
like beehive.
81 never enjoyed such health BEFORE said the
father
And l never was so happy before said the
mother.
We never knew how many things we could do
when we lived in the great house," said the
children, "apd we love each other a great deal
better here. You call US your little bees"
Eyes replied the father, land you make just
such honey the heart likes to feed on"
Economy well as industry was strictly OBJ
served; nothing was wasted nothing unneces-
sarily purchased. The eldest daughter became
assistant teacher in a distinguished female SEM
mary, and the second took her place as instruo-
tress TO a family.
The little dwelling, which had always been
kept neat, they were able to beautify. It's con-
struction was improved, and the vines and flow
ering trees We're planted around it. The mer-
chant was happier under his wood-bine-coversd
porch, III summers evening, than he had been
in his SNOWY drawing-rOom.
'''We are now thriving and prosperous" said
he; "shall we return 70 the city"
''Oh, LIZ, no, was the unanimous reply.
"Let Us romain," said the wife, ''where we
have found health and contentmeut"
"tather," said the youngest, 'all we children
hope You are not going to be rich again--for then
we little ones were shut up in the nursery, and
did not see nuch OF you or mother. Now we all
live together, and sister who loves US. teaches
Us, and We learn 20 be industrious and useful
We were none Of Us happy when we were rich
and did not work. So father, please don't be
rich man any lnore.'---atS hgyaraay