The camp, the big, bright fire, and then
The rich and wholesome cheer:-
The sweet, sound sleep, at dead of night,
By our camp-fire, blazing high-
Unbroken by the wolf's long howl,
And the panther springing by.
Oh, merrily passed the time, despite
Our wily Indian foe,

In the days when we were Pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

3. We shunned not labor: when 't was due,
We wrought with right good will;
And for the homes we won for them,
Our children bless us still.

We lived not hermit lives, but oft

In social converse met;

And fires of love were kindled then,
That burn on warmly yet.
Oh, pleasantly the stream of life
Pursued its constant flow,

In the days when we were Pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

4. We felt that we were fellow-men;
We felt we were a band,
Sustained here in the wilderness
By Heaven's upholding hand.
And when the solemn Sabbath came,
Assembling in the wood,

We lifted up our hearts in prayer
To God, the only Good.

Our temples then were earth and sky;
None others did we know,

In the days when we were Pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

5. Our forest-life was rough and rude,
And dangers closed us round;
But here, amid the green old trees,
Freedom was sought and found.

Oft through our dwellings wintery blasts
Would rush with shriek and moan;

We cared not-though they were but frail,
We felt they were our own!

Oh, free and manly lives we led,
'Mid verdure, or 'mid snow,

In the days when we were Pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

6. But now our course of life is short;
And as, from day to day,

We're walking on with halting step,
And fainting by the way,
Another Land more bright than this
To our dim sight appears,

And on our way to it we'll soon
Again be pioneers!

Yet while we linger, we may all
A backward glance still throw,
To the days when we were Pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

W. D. Gallagher.

"I

LXXVII.-A HAPPY FAMILY.

HAVE lost my whole fortune," said a mer

chant, as he returned one evening to his home; "we can no longer keep our carriage; we must leave this large house. Yesterday I was a rich man; today there is nothing I can call my own.”

2. "Dear husband," said the wife, "we are still rich in each other and our children. Money may pass away, but God has given us a better treasure in these active hands and loving hearts,"

"Dear father," said the children, "do not look so sober. We will help you get a living.'

3. "What can you do, poor things?" said he.

"You shall see! you shall see!" answered several voices. "It is a 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."

4. The heart of the husband and father, which had sunk within his bosom like a stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusiasm of the scene cheered him, and his nightly prayer was like a song of praise.

5. They left their stately house; the servants were dismissed; pictures and plate, rich carpets and furniture were sold, and she who had been the mistress of the mansion shed no tears.

"Pay every debt," said she; "let no one suffer through us, and we may be happy."

6. He rented a neat cottage and a small piece of ground a few miles from the city. With the aid of his sons, he cultivated vegetables for the market. He viewed with delight and astonishment the economy of his wife, nurtured as she had been in wealth, and the efficiency which his daughters soon acquired under her training.

7. The eldest instructed in the household, and also assisted the young children; 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 ornamental parts of female apparel which were readily sold to a merchant in the city.

8. They cultivated flowers, sent bouquets to market in the cart that contained the vegetables; they plaited straw; they painted maps; they executed plain needle-work. Every one was at her post, busy and cheerful. The little cottage was like a bee-hive.

9. "I never enjoyed such health before," said the

father. "And I never was so happy before," said the mother. "We never knew how many things we could do when we lived in the grand house," said the children, "and we love each other a great deal better here. You call us your little bees." "Yes," replied the father; "and you make just such honey as the heart likes to feed on."

10. Economy, as well as industry, was strictly observed; nothing was wasted; nothing unnecessary was purchased. The eldest daughter became assistant teacher in a distinguished seminary, and the second took her place as instructress in the family.

11. The dwelling, which had always been kept neat, they were soon able to beautify. Its construction was improved, and vines and flowering trees were planted around it. The merchant was happier under his woodbine-covered porch, in a summer's evening, than he had been in his showy dressing

room.

12. "We are now thriving and prosperous," said he; "shall we return to the city?"

"Oh, no!" was the unanimous reply.

"Let us remain," said the wife, "where we have. found health and contentment."

13. "Father," said the youngest, "all we children hope you are not going to be rich again; for then," she added, "we little ones were shut up in the nursery, and did not see much of you or mother. Now we all live together, and sister, who loves us, teaches us, and we learn to be industrious and useful. We were none of us happy when we were rich and did not work. So, father, please not to be rich any more." Mrs. Sigourney.