active imagination, sometimes overstepping the reality of circumstances; while the desire of making her stories or statements worth hearing tempted her to wander from matters of fact, or mingle them with inventions. Religious admonition she received with an affecting humility, and those purposes of amendment that heightened the friendly regard of the reprover.
Our interests as a family she identified with her own. In our happiness she rejoiced, at our bereavements she wept, and clothed herself in the habiliments of mourning. She sympathized with me in my widowhood, and strove to lighten its cares. She had always by economy endeavored to diminish our expenses; and now, conceiving some new anxieties for me, proposed in the most affectionate manner to work without wages, saying she wished to do so, and appearing grieved that her heart-prompted offer was not accepted. Yet not until the final departure of my daughter by marriage did I fully realize the worth of this devoted creature. She exerted herself to supply the desolation of all kindred blood, and tried to cover the whole vacated ground, and guard it at every point. She assumed the charge of my wardrobe, and desired me to dispense with a second assistant, that she might do every thing for me herself. If she fancied that a shade of sadness stole over my brow, she immediately made it her business to dispel it. She possessed uncommon powers of imitation, and some degree of histrionic talent. She
