Part 2 (1/2)
In the ,” after I had packed and stowed and lifted, and been elbowed by all the sharp corners in the house, and had my hands all torn and scratched, I spied the new ”Knickerbocker” 'mid a heap of rubbish and was te that met my eye was the Lament of the Last Peach [9] I didn't care to read ing tables and chairs and bureaus--but all the while ed upon you As to ----'s request I areatest presuazine like that I do not wish to publish anything, anywhere, though it would be quite as wise as to entrust es s which she happens to fancy, to this and that periodical Without her interference nothing of mine would ever have found its way into print But mammas look with rose-colored spectacles on the actions and perforhed over the Pickwick Papers? We have alhed ourselves to death over theetting along rapidly If I could go to school two years lad, but of course that is out of the question It is easier for you to write often than it is forbrothers to mend andand darning I aoodies to send to our girl's sick brother If I had not so dear and happy a home, I should envy you yours You say you do not reantly _soe to enjoy scientific perforht Mrs French, the Episcopal reat friend of ours and lives next door (so near that she and sister talk together out of their s), has a baby two days old with black curly hair and black eyes, and I shall have a nice time with it this winter
Do you love babies?
The question hich this letter closes, suggests one of Lizzy'sand loveliest traits She had a perfect passion for babies, and reveled in tending, kissing, and playing with theirlish contributions to ”The Youth's Co about them:
What are little babies for?
Say! say! say!
Are they good-for-nothing things?
Nay! nay! nay!
Can they speak a single word?
Say! say! say!
Can they help their mothers sew?
Nay! nay! nay!
Can they walk upon their feet?
Say! say! say!
Can they even hold themselves?
Nay! nay! nay!
What are little babies for?
Say! say! say!
Are they made for us to love?
_Yea_! YEA!! YEA!!!
In the fall of 1838 Mrs Payson purchased a house in cumberland street, which continued to be her residence until the fa little room Lizzy had fitted up over the hall in this house, how nicely she kept it, and how happy she was in it One of the s looked out on a little flower garden and at the close of the long summer days the sunset could be enjoyed froiven her, which, added to the previous store, irl in those days
About this ti been relieved of her part of do relative--whose devotion to her was unbounded--she opened in the house a school for little girls It consisted at first of perhaps eight or ten, but their number increased until the house could scarcely hold the pupils fairly idolized her [10] In this year, too, she took a class in the Sabbath-school coroup who surrounded her on the week-days, and they re as she lived in Portland
The Rev Mr Vail having retired from the pastorate of the second parish in the autuical Seor, beca attracted the young people and during the winter and spring there wasthe example of the other pastors, Mr Haious conversation Elizabeth besought o to Mr Ha” One day she ca that I was ever on her mind and in her prayers, that she had talked with Mr Hamlin about me, nor would she leaveI did so; and fro bonds of Christian love and sympathy What a spiritual helper she was to me in those days! What precious notes I was all the ti from her! The memory of her tender, faithful friendshi+p is still fresh and delightful, after the lapse of more than forty years [11]
In the summer of 1838 the Rev Jonathan B Condit, DD, was called froe and installed pastor of our church He was a netic He at once beca people The services of the Sabbath and the weeklycircle which met every Saturday afternoon, full of life and sunshi+ne Indeed, the exclusive interest of the season was religious; our reading and conversation were religious; well-nigh the sole subject of thought was learning so new of our Saviour and His blessed service All Lizzy's friends and several of her own fa in hope And she herself was radiant with joy For a little while it seemed almost as if the shadows in the Christian path had fled away, and the crosses vanished out of sight The winter and spring of 1840 witnessed another period of general religious interest in Portland Large nureatly impressed by the work, her own Christian life was deepened and widened, she was blessed in guiding several members of her beloved Sunday-school class to the Saviour, and was thus prepared, also, for the sharp trial awaiting her in the autumn of the sa absence in Richmond
Fro a journal, and she must have filled several volumes I wonder that she did not preserve them as mementos of her childhood and youth Perhaps because her afterlife was so happy that she never needed to refer to such reiven you, in a very informal manner, some recollections of her earlier years I have been astonished to find how vividly I recalled scenes, events and conversations so long past I was startled and shocked when the news came of her sudden death But I can not feel that she was called to her rest too soon She seeularly happy in all the relations of life; and then as an author, hers was an exceptional case of full appreciation and success I have ever regarded her as ”favored a for Him, blessed in her home, in her friends, and in her work, and blessed in her death