earning
Her true heart turned in faith and trust each day
The land whose hope a glorious bow of promise
Illumed her path across life's desert way.

A loving wife; a fond, devoted mother;
A friend who reckoned friendship not a name;
A woman who with, gentle influence brightened
The hearts of all who to her presence came.

A halo of good deeds her life surrounded;
Her crown of years was bright with deeds of love;
Hers was a gift of charity whose merits
A golden treasure waiteth her above.

Out of the wealth the Master gave unto her
She clothed the needy and the hungry fed;
The poor will mourn a true friend taken from them
Above her will the orphan's tear be shed.

The orphan's prayer, a prayer of power unbounded.
In grateful accents shall for her ascend,
And strength and consolation for her children
Down from the Savior's pitying heart descend;

For over death the Christian's faith doth triumph--
The crown of victory shines above the Cross;
Hers is the fadeless joy and ours the sorrow--
Hers is the gain and ours the bitter loss.

And while the hearts of kindred ache in sadness,
And gloom rests on her once fair home to-day,
As a true friend who mourns a loved one taken,
This simple wreath upon her grave I lay.

Chapter XXIII.

The Orphan Children of George and Tamsen Donner
Sutter, the Philanthropist
"If Mother would Only Come!"
Christian and Mary Brunner
An Enchanting Home
"Can't You Keep Both of Us?"
Eliza Donner Crossing the Torrent
Earning a Silver Dollar
The Gold Excitement
Getting an Education
Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. Donner, Frances E. Donner, Georgia A.
Donner, Eliza P. Donner.

Unusual interest attaches to the three little orphan children mentioned
in a preceding chapter. Frances, Georgia, and Eliza Donner reached
Sutter's Fort in April, 1847. Here they met their two elder sisters,
who, in charge of the first relief party, had arrived at the Fort a few
weeks earlier. The three little girls were pitiable-looking objects as
they gathered around the blazing fire, answering and asking questions
respecting what had taken place since they parted with their sisters at
their mountain cabins.

Among the first to stretch forth a helping hand to clothe