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with a full cargo, the vessel struck a reef on one of the south-sea islands and went to pieces, a total wreck; and while most of the crew perished, after his almost superhuman efforts to save them, he was delivered, as by miracle, taken on board a British brig, and landed in London, and he would be home in five weeks in the Cleopatra

When this new grief came upon us, my mother felt that she had never suffered before, her former sorrows appeared so light in the contrast. But she remembered, at length, that her trouble was nothing, compared with that which the widows and orphans of his lost crew suffered; that by God's mercy father had been spared; that he was returning, that his society would be sweeter than the fairest smiles of fortune, and it was our duty to put away sorrow, and prepare, with thankful hearts and cheerful faces, to receive him. These last considerations wrought a great change in her. So far did they elevate her above her recent grief, that she appeared quite happy again, and she dreamed of a happy meeting, and told us what we would have, and how we would all appear, to make him forget his troubles.

You would have thought our old Becket chamber had never made sorrow its guest, if you had given us a visit then. Mother became so resolute and hopeful, she imagined she could support the whole family, and she declared she would do it gladly, if father would permit her, and keep from the sea, and make himself happy at home; while Jesse and I were telling how we would rejoice to see him, and what we would do when a little older, to

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buy a home for our parents; and Walter stood-to," morning, noon and night, for that "storm of kisses."

During the last few days, hardly an hour passed without some one or all of us running down to Bentley's Rock, to look for the Cleopatra. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday passed, and no sight of the expected vessel. Thursday morning, before we rose, we said we knew she would sail in sight before the sun went down. At dinner, I remember, I said my eyes itched, and I was going to hear something that would make me cry, and I hoped it might be for joy. Jesse was sent to market for a pair of chickens ; I went to the store for some coffee, and mother prepared for getting a good supper, as soon as the vessel should appear. Jesse. still declared he knew father would be home, and have the oranges given out before dark, and Walter dimpled and shook his curly locks in expectation of the fruits and kisses. Mother even went and dressed herself in white, (the color that father was so fond of,) and said she would go and stand on the wharf, where she parted with him, and wave to him while the ship was coming to the shore. Mrs. Buxton and Mrs. Dorlan came over to witness her joy and give a welcome to Captain Winthrop.

But all at once, my mother turned ghastly pale, and weeping with the same grief which oppressed her on the day my father left, she kissed us, and told us she feared we would never see him again, for something had assured her that he was dead! At that moment a little boy came running into the court, and stamping up stairs and crying, "The Cleopatra's coming! joy! joy! joy! Mrs.

Winthrop, Captain Winthrop will be home in half au hour!" The boy ran away without waiting to get his news-money, and we shouted and danced with a joy which mother could not restrain. We bade her rejoice, and go and stand on the wharf, as she said she would, and wave to father as he sailed in. But she lay down on her bed and wept as if her heart were breaking. In came friend after friend, to congratulate her, and they were astonished to find her sobbing and panting in such an agony of grief. Some called it hysterics, and chided her. We, children, were indignant because she would not allow us to run down to the wharf; while none but Mrs. Buxton seemed to enter into her sympathies or take her part. In half an hour, however, the Cleopatra was at her moorings, and a sailor entered our chamber, and with a hushed breath and moistened eyes he informed my poor mother that her husband was no more.

My father had taken passage on the Cleopatra in very good health; but he brooded over his troubles, was attacked by a violent fever, died in eight days, and was buried in the sea. And the grief which then broke in upon our joy the reader may imagine if he will. Let the half raised curtain fall again, that I may not re-enter that melancholy scene! that I may not add its crushing griefs to what I have since then suffered! That was a sorrow which Mrs. Buxton could not hope to comfort very soon, and she offered nothing for a week but her presence, and attentions to our physical needs, aware that the consolations which mother could receive to bind her broken heart, were best dispensed in silent sympathy and deeds of friendly love.

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V.

Ir surprised our familiar friends even to see my mother yield to such immoderate grief, for they knew she had an energetic will, and faith and resolution, and they supposed she would have been more resigned at the death of the dearest being in the world. And persons slightly acquainted were astonished, for they supposed she had not much love; and they were bold to say they would show more fortitude than she did, even for the sake of her children and friends, and they would go about and attend church as though religion had left a little comfort, and make the best of their bereavement.

But with all her resolution she was crushed by this last great sorrow, and she wept and moaned incessantly, and kept her bed, and refused to see anybody but the Buxtons and two or three relations.

The Buxtons looked after the children, and taught us how to appear in her room, while they continued to come and sit down by her; and by silent and instant assiduities they acted the prayers, consolations, and regards, which others would have spoken. The prayers were answered in heaven, and the consolations took root in her heart, and budded and bloomed at last, if not like lilies in a garden, like lilies in a lake, with all the more flowers, and

whiter and more fragrant for springing from the waters of grief.

Her faith and will at last revived, and she resumed her cares once more. She had less courage to sew late at night now than when visions of the cottage home inspired her; she had less economy and skill, and she was obliged to send me out to service, at twelve, to help her maintain the family.

It was my chief comfort to know that I was of a little service to our melancholy home. I had a stout will, and while I acted with some resolution for a child, I believe I tried to approve myself to my mother and her friends by good dispositions; but Heaven knows how often I came short of my duty. I had never learned to sew on my mother's work, as I had taken charge of the nursery and kitchen while she made coats and vests. I had no desire to learn her trade: I disliked it; but I performed everything else she demanded, and she was grateful for my help.

At this time a person came to engage me in other service. Her name was Carey, and, by the cognomen of Ma'm Carey, she was known to many people in town. She kept a little toy and provision shop, and took in washing near the corner of Essex and Pleasant-streets; and as her last daughter had just been married against her will, and left her alone in her home and business, she was looking around for a girl to take her daughter's place. She heard of me, and called to see me. She called with one of our friends; and such were the impressions of all parties, an engagement was made and I went to live with

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