Page:Letters of Life.djvu/314

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302
LETTERS OF LIFE.

spinning-wheel in action; also increasing her perquisites by needle-work for the serving-men, producing shirts, jackets, and pantaloons with equal facility. She was liable to some exacerbations of temper, but usually subject to the control of those whom she respected. She was an earnest adherent of the Methodist Church; and I won very much upon her by once attending, in her company, their Watch-Night, or the service with which they bid farewell to the old year, and welcome the new. She zealously prized the public recital of religious experiences, and was tenacious of the privilege of exclamation during sacred worship. Her presence at evening meetings was not affected by distance, darkness, or storm. On one occasion, having surmounted these obstacles without the aid of any companion, she said, rather exultingly, "The Lord went with her, and the Lord brought her back."

"Then I think He leaves you at the door," replied Charles, our eldest son, then a boy, who inherited the vein of humor belonging to his paternal ancestors, and was not particularly her admirer. Her uses of language were quaint, and her phrases often decidedly Yankee in structure. Chancing to hear her say that she had once a twin brother, and being a profound admirer of twins, ever hoping, while building up our family, to possess a pair, I asked, "Did you not love him very much?" "No, me! I hated him worse than any on 'em," was the reply. From this it must