5. Possessed of considerable property in the shape of money this company were not like the generality of emigrants,' poor and friendlèss, but happy, and full of hope of the future. The first thing done after the landing, was the taking out of the old family heir-loom, the Bible, and returning thanks and praise to Him who had guided the vessel to a safe haven. 6. The farmer's object in coming to this country was to purchase a farm and follow his occupation : he therefore spent but little time in the city at which he arrived; and as his fellowpassengers had previously determined on their destination,' he bid them farewell, and, with a light heart, turned his face toward the setting sun. Indian'a, at this time, was fast becoming settled, and, having heard of its cheap and fertile lands, he determined on settling within its borders. 7. He fixed on a farm on the banks of the Wabash, and having paid cash for one half, gave a mortgage' for the balance, payable in one year. Having stocked his farm, and put seed in the ground, he rested from his labor, and patiently awaited the time when he might go forth to reap the harvest; but, alas! no ears of grain gladdened his heart, or rewarded his toil. The fever of the country attacked him, and at the time when the fields are white with the fullness of the laborer's skill, death called him home, and left his disconsolate wife a widow, and his only child an orphan. 8. We leave this first sorrow, and pass on to witness the struggles of the afflicted widow a year afterward. The time having arrived when the mortgage was to be paid, she borrowed the money of a neighbor, who had been very attentive to her husband and herself. Hard and patiently did she toil to repay the sum at the promised time; but all would not do; fortune frowned, and she gave way to her accumulated' troubles. Disheartened and distracted, she relinquished her farm and stock 1 Em'i grants, persons who leave their own country, to settle in another. 2 Oc`cu pā' tion, that which occupies and engages the time and attention; the business of one's life. 3 Děs`ti na' tion, place or point aimed at; the end of a journey. 4 Mortgage, (már gej), a conveyance of property, upon condition, as security for the payment of a debt or the performance of a duty, and to become worthless upon payment or performance. Ac cu mu lāt ed, heaped up; greatly increased. for less than she owed her neighbor, who, not satisfied with that, put an execution' on her furniture. 9. On the Sabbath previous to the sale, she took coŭrage, and strengthening herself with the knowledge of having wronged no one, went to the temple of her heavenly Father, and with a heart filled with humanity and love, poured out her soul to Him "who turnèth not away;" and having communed' side by side with her neighbor, returned to her desolate home. Here her fortitude had like to have forsaken her, but seeing the old "family Bible," she reverently put it to her lips, and sought for consolation in its pages. Slowly she perused' its holy and inspiring verses, and gathered hope from its never-failing promises. 10. The day of sale having arrived, her few goods and chattels* were, in due course, knocked off to the highest bidder. Unmoved she saw pass from her possessior article after article, without ǎ murmur, till the constable' held up the old family Bible. This was too much. Tears flowed, and gave silènt utterance to a breaking heart. She begged the constable to spare her this memento of her revered and departed parʼents; and the humane' man of the law would willingly have given it to her, but her inex'orable creditor declared every thing should be sold, as he was determined to have all that was due to him. 6 11. The book was, therefore, put up, and about being disposed of for a few shillings, when she suddenly snatched it, and declaring she would have some relic' of those she loved, cut the slender thread that held the brown linen cover, with the intention of retaining that. The cover fell into her hands, and with it two flat pieces of thin, dirty paper. 12. Surprised at the circumstance, she examined them, and 1 Ex`e cu' tion, the warrant by which an officer carries into effect the judgment of a court. "Me mění to, memorial; something which causes remembrance. 'Hu māne', having dispositions "Com műned', partaken of the and feelings proper to man, and a sacrament, or Lord's Supper. 'Perused, (pe rozd′), read with attention. Chattels, (chât' tlz), all things which a person owns, excepting lands and buildings. desire to treat other human beings or animals with kindness; kind; benevolent. "In ex' o ra ble, that can not be moved by prayers or entreaties. Rěl' ic, that which remains, or › Constable, (kůn′sta bl), an offi- is left after a loss; something kept cer of the peace. in remembrance what was her joy and delight to find each to be a bank-note, good for five hundred pounds, on the bank of England! On the back of one, in her mother's handwriting, were the following words: "When sorrow overtakes you, seek your Bible." And on the other, in her father's hand, "Your Father's ears are never deaf." 13. The sale was immediately stopped, and the family Bible given to its faithful owner. The furniture sold was readily offered to her by those who had purchased it, and she gladly took it back. Having paid off her relentless' creditor to the uttermost farthing, and rented a small house, she placed the balance of her money in such a way as to receive interest enough to keep her comfortable, and is now able to enjoy the precepts of the old family Bible without fear or molestation." II. 65. MY MOTHER'S BIBLE. HIS book is all that's left me now! TH Tears will unbidden start With faltering lip and throbbing brow, For many generations past, Here is our family tree; My mother's hands this Bible clasped; She, dying, gave it me. 2. Ah! well do I remember those Whose names these records bear, Who round the hearth-stone used to close And speak of what these pages said, In tones my heart would thrill! 3. My father read this holy book How calm was my poor mother's look, lesting or disturbing, or the state of 1 Re lent' less, having no pity. 2 Mŏl`es ta' tion, the act of mo being molested; annoyance. Her angel face—I see it yet! What thronging memories come! 4. Thou truest friend man ever knew, I Where all were false I found thee true, The mines of earth no treasures give That could this volume buy: In teaching me the way to live, It taught me how to die. III. GEORGE P. MORRIS. 66. THE OLD ARM-CHAIR. LOVE it, I love it, and who shall dare To chide me for loving that old arm-chair? I've treasured it long as à sainted prize, I've bedewed it with tears, and embalmed it with sighs; Not a tie will break, not a link will start. 2. In childhood's hour I lingered near She told me shame would never betide,3 With truth for my creed' and God for my guide; 3. I sat and watched her many ǎ day, When her eye grew dim, and her locks were gray; 1 Spell, a phrase. or verse repeated for its magical power; hence, any charm. 'Hǎllowed, made holy; set apart for holy or religious use; treated as sacred. 3 Be tide', befall; happen. 4 Creed, belief articles of faith. And I almost worshiped her when she smiled 4. 'Tis past! 'tis past! but I gaze on it now Say it is folly, and deem me weak, While the scalding drops start down my cheek; IV. ELIZA COOK 67. WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE. WOODMAN, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. 2. That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown And wouldst thou hack it down! Now towering to the skies! 8. When but an idle boy, I sought its grateful shade; Here, too, my sisters played. |