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New England Chattels; Or, Life In The Northern Poor-house

Creator: Samuel H. Elliot (author)
Date: 1858
Publisher: H. Dayton, New York
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7

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In the exercise of its commission, the committee made choice of a very fine farm that was offered them, situated a mile from the centre, having a large, commodious house, sheltered by wide-spreading branches of trees, occupying a pleasant, elevated site. The house might easily be altered to furnish much more room than at present would be wanted, and there were barns, sheds, and other convenient outbuildings on the premises to make the property very well adapted to the wants of the new tenants.

2893  

As it was immediately an available possession, the committee purchased it. The cost was five thousand dollars.

2894  

In a short time the poor were conveyed to their new quarters. Words would faintly describe the joy they felt, the gratitude they manifested in this change of their condition.

2895  

"Oh!" said she, who had lived so long in misery, bending now over her staff, away up near the hill-top of mortal life -- good old pious Mrs. Prescott. "True and faithful are thy ways, thou King of Saints. * * * I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. * * * My life testifies to the goodness, the long-suffering, the faithfulness and mercy of the Lord, and now I will sing praises to him as long as I live."

2896  

Roxy -- poor, emaciated, demented, silly Roxy -- half-witted -- sometimes showing a sparkling line of humanity, and then a dull, uncertain glimmering of it; Roxy, believing in, hoping for, living to behold it, the great fulfillment of that extraordinary dream, of the wonderful wise dreamer Mag; Roxy sprang up and danced with joy, and clad in a neat dress, and placed in a neat room, with its cheap, but new and wholesome bed and carpet, its sweet little mirror, its washstand and towel, and all things necessary for comfort, was she not immensely happy? And Mag said, "This is heaven on earth."

2897  

Mag regarded herself as the prophetess of a new dispensation, and clothed herself with propriety and dignity, as with a garment. Mag swore she had said her last oath. She vowed henceforth to live a new life, and to study and preach the Gospel, The widow Wakeup said she was "now willing to depart in peace," She could now think to say her prayers; and they did her good, because she was not all the time thinking she might be sent supperless to bed. "For my part," said she, "I have been a very unfaithful Christian ever since I went to the poor-house, because I have had so little to eat, and so many other troubles: the Lord forgive me!" Tucker didn't know what the d----- it all meant; but he believed in his soul it was "an improvement."

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"Ye-ye-yes, it -- it -- it-t-t is so!" said Sam White. "The Lor -- Lor -- Lord's done -- done -- it, I know!"

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"I just knew JIMS wouldn't leave us," said Bill. "He told me he'd work out something for us afore he died, as sure as he was a born crittur, and so he's done it."

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Dan says he can verily see a great deal more of the Gospel, and get hold of the Christian religion better than he ever could before. Somehow or other, the old ways looked to him like serving the d----- , and they kept him in the dark, in spite of conscience and the Bible.

2901  

There was a great change in every one's countenance -- a happiness in every heart longing for a day of jubilee.

2902  

James' attention was at first called to the improvements and necessary arrangements of the place, so that he was there almost every day. One afternoon of a mild day, near the close of October, Mr. Rodman, Mrs. Rodman, and Alice were with him walking about the grounds, when one of the workmen came and called James to the entrance to see an old man in poor raiment, who was inquiring for the town-agent; so leaving his friends, James went with him. Arrived at the gate, a man in poor, tattered clothes, leaning on a staff, who was perhaps sixty years of age, and looking older than that, bowed to him, and stated that he had been directed there to see the town-officer.

2903  

"I am poor," said he.

2904  

"Come in, my good sir," said James; "that's a plea we regard here; come in, and I will talk with you. Sit down on that seat, for I see you look fatigued."

2905  

"Thank you, sir; I have walked some distance to-day, but my necessities have compelled me. I am poor, sir."

2906  

"Well, I am sorry for that; we will help you if we can; we do all we can for those who are in want. If you are now in need of something to eat, or if you wish for rest, you can have it."

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"I have eaten a little by the way, but am more in want of repose than of food, having walked over twenty miles to-day."

2908  

"Possible! You look too infirm for so long a walk."

2909  

"It may be, but I have frequently performed a longer march. In my life-time I have seen many a weary day, sir, and a great many vicissitudes of fortune."

2910  

"I think it very possible," said James. "We have here persons of all grades in life; their private history is remarkable."

2911  

"I have seen better days. My youth was fair and promising; I had kind parents; every thing to make me happy; my misfortunes have been brought on me by myself. Now I am probably near the end, and I regret my former ways."

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