The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-03-06

ed from earth with their first breath,
and the weary mother would have fol-
lowed them but for the strong mother
love she bore to her living
children. When Jennie was Is
another little girl made it's 3D.
vent, and now was just able to walk
when another son came into the house.
hold. Mrs. Wells was very delicate in
health, and, as Jessie said, she was not
half as well treated as the high -blooded
mare that fed at leisure in the meadow
pasture, with her beautiful colt capering
around her side; that was worth money!
A younger sister of Mrs. Wells, who had
married mechanic, had frequently
paid her short visits and saw with deep
regret the hard lot that had fallen to her
sister. She even demonstrated with her
brotherin-law when he told her he was
going to purchase another farm, as she
saw it would increase the burdens of her
poor sister, VINO was already loaded
down with labor and care; and he did
consent to let his invalid son 90 to live
with her, so he could be benefited by
the sea air and bathing, not thinking,
his wife wished him to go for fear his
father would work him too hard and
destroy what little vitality he possessed.
1t was to pay for this farm that Wells
was in debt. His family were pinched
in dress and comfort, every luxury was
denied them, and it was as Jennie said,
delve and drudge from morning till
night. After the girls were old enough
to work they were kept from school,
and had not their aunt kindly sent them
books, and their mother been capable
OF instructing them, they would have
been deplorably ignorant. If they went
to church, they had to walk, for the
horses were too valuable to stand hitch
ed; they might get frightened and break
loose, and it would never do for girls
to drive the mare, it would ruin the
colt, or he would get cast, or hung, or
something else would happen; so they
seldom enjoyed the privilege of Sunday
school or sanctuary. Mr.. Hartwell,
their nearest neighbor, used to say that
" if Mrs. Wells were not an angel, the
children would grow up perfect heath
sns," and he always managed to find
something pleasant in his papers and
magazines for Mrs. Wells and the girls
to read; or if he purchased a new book
it found its way to Mrs. Wells, and his
only son, George, was generally the
messenger who carried it over. Both
Mr.. and Mrs. Hartwell were acquainted
with her before her marriage, and the
memory of her father, who slumbered
in the peaceful churchyard, was very
precious to them, and they tried by
every means in their power to tighten
the heavy load that was placed upon
her.
George Hartwell did not quite despair
of changing Jennie's opinion with re-
gard to marrying a farmer, aud held
frequent consultations with his mother
upon the subject. One morning he
quite astonished his father by suggest
ing that he should like to take his sis
tiers and 90 to Connecticut to visit some
cousins, provided he could get some one
to help mother while they were gone !;
he had been thinking of it for some time.
The girls were delighted with the plan,
and thought, perhaps, Jennie Wells
would come and stop with them, and
assist while they were gone. So, after
breakfast, Mr.. Hartwell went over to
see if it could be arranged. Mrs. Wells
thought she could spare her if her sister
could be allowed to take her place and
so, after a good many contrary argu-
ments from their father, it was decided
that for three dollars week Jennie
might go and stay with the Hartwells,
while the young people went on their
pleasure excursion. M
These five weeks were the most de-
lightful days of Jennie's whole life.
She saw that all farmers girls, or wives,
were not slaves, and that the sunshine
that never illumined her OWE home
beamed brightly in the kitchen and par.
!. lor of her new station.
"How l wish our. home was as pleas.
ant!n she exclaimed to Mrs. Hartwell,
as she was watering the bright flowers
that had been her care each day; I"
! do love flowers so much, but father will
} not allow us to have one in any place
and you have every thing so easy and
convenient about the work! You have
J no idea of the difference; my mother
would so like to have things arranged
, as you have them, but father''-
, "Iknow all about it, Jennie! We al
J love our home, and try to make it pleas
, ant; and lam glad you have had a chance
to see that farmers dauhters can be AZ
} happy as any girls; can have just a:
! many pleasant things, and just as good
J times, as any class of people in the
, world. Farmers are the most inue
, pendent, and, l think, the happiest peo
pie in the world. There are exceptions
of course, but for myself, Jennie,
: would rather be farmers wife than th'
) wife of either a merchant or profession
/ al man, or be an old maid"
5 A bright blush mantled over Jennie
, face as she bent it over beautiful
7 monthly rose; "George has told you,
f; and the tears started in her eyes.
: eyes, dear, and did not wonde
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