of sympathy with those in need.

"I am very proud to say of my only surviving brother, that although he
has never had the advantage of a good education, he has lived to the
age of sixty without indulging in tobacco, wine, or profane language,
and has brought up his boys in the same temperate habits."

"How many children has Uncle Barnes, Aunt Esther?" inquired Ida. "I
have, I think, seen only three."

"There are ten living," replied mamma. "Brother Barnes, you know, has
been twice married. His first wife was a woman of fine character, but
became, soon after her marriage, a confirmed invalid, and brother
Barnes' constant attention and care of her during her years of illness
was almost unparalleled for devotion.

"Victoria is the oldest of the children: she was a very bright, clever
little girl, and a great pet with mother, as she was the first
grandchild born at home. Sister Arminda's children, living at some
distance, were not so available for instruction, and in that occupation
consisted mother's happiness. She taught Victoria to read when she was
two years and a half old, and I remember seeing her stand, a few years
later, at mother's knee, reading one of Hans Christian Andersen's
stories, with the tears streaming down her cheeks at the pathos--a
proof of appreciation that delighted mother's heart.

"Victoria is married, and lives in Kansas. She is a fine, intelligent
woman, and since the loss of her little girl, last winter, has shown a
strong disposition to write. She has the ability to do so, and if her
health and her home duties permit, I am sure she will make a clever
writer.

"Horace, whom you have seen, is next Victoria in age; he is also
married, and lives in New Jersey.

"Two married daughters, Mary and Esther, follow. Mary's mind resembles
mother's in her grasp for politics and history, but she inherits her
own mother's feeble health, which unfits her for giving expression to
her masculine intellect. Esther, who was named for me, is a sweet and
lovely woman, and a devoted wife and mother.

"Poor Woodburn came next on the list--a sensitive, silent youth, more
resembling his Uncle Horace than any of the other children. You all
recollect his sad death three years ago.

"Oscar and Clarence are the youngest of Sally's, the first wife's,
children. Clarence is the cleverest of the family among the boys. He
is very well educated, and now supports himself as a land surveyor,
although not yet tw