Page:Letters of Life.djvu/316

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LETTERS OF LIFE.

engagements, that she might longer attend upon him. Indeed, her fondness for him seemed less like a sentiment than a passion, and was at first the ruling motive of retaining her in my house for a period that proved longer than the love-term which Jacob served for Rachel. His attachment for his foster-mother was early and touchingly evident. Her attention to the physical welfare of both the little ones never knew declension; and her influence over them for word and deed proved an important aid in their incipient training. When they grew older, and her labor for them was diminished, it was found to be invaluable to the family. In cases of indisposition, her experience enabled her to save much resort to the physician, by applying at their earliest development some judicious domestic remedy, and adding—what was still more important—her watchful nursing-care. As she wrote a remarkably clear, distinct hand, she sometimes aided me as a copyist, and was much gratified to be thus employed. Her skill and diligence in the uses of the needle, whether in constructing or repairing, were proverbial in the household, monuments of which remain with me to this day. Soon after becoming a resident among us, she took my advice to lay aside her surplus wages; and such an example of prudence did she become, that sometimes, when her quarterly payments were made, she deposited the whole in the Savings Bank, reserving nothing for contingent expenses. There, by the punctual addition