Enclosed in this letter was a faded paper, on which were written several verses of poetry, with the following explanation:
"Only think of your sainted mother writing this little scrap thirty-eight years ago, when on her death-bed, for her young friend, then on a visit to her, to teach to you, who could not read; and this scrap, written upon a blank term-bill without premeditation, being preserved by that friend while she lived, and, after her death, by her daughter while she lived, and, after her death, being restored to me as the rightful disposer of it; and my happening, within four days after, to meet you under such circumstances as made it proper to show it to you."
MRS. GANNETT'S HYMN FOR HER LITTLE BOY IN 1807.
How can a child forgetful prove
Of all that wakes the heart to love,
And from the path of duty stray,
To spend his time in sport and play;
Neglectful of the blessing given,
Which marks the path to peace and heaven?
O! how can I, who daily share
A mother's kind, assiduous care,
Be idle, and ungrateful too;
Forsake the good, the bad pursue;
Neglectful of the blessings given,
Which mark the path to peace and heaven?
O! how can I such folly show,
When faults indulged to vices grow,—
Who know that idle days ne'er make
Men that are useful, good, or great?
Dear mother, still be thou my guide,
Nor suffer me my faults to hide;
And O may God his grace impart
To fix my feeble, foolish heart,
That I may wait the blessing given,
Which marks the path to peace and heaven!
Mem.—Mrs. Gannett died soon after writing this on a blank term-bill of Harvard College, in 1807.—A. L., 1847.
The marriage of Mr. Lawrence took place in Boston, on the 6th of June, 1811, three months after announcing his engagement to his sister.
[CHAPTER VI.]
BRAMBLE NEWS.—JUNIOR PARTNER GOES TO ENGLAND.—LETTERS TO BROTHER.
In 1849, Mr. Lawrence writes as follows:
"On the 1st of January, 1814, I took my brother Abbott into partnership on equal shares, putting fifty thousand dollars, that I had then earned, into the concern. Three days afterwards, the 'Bramble News' came, by which the excessive high price of goods was knocked down. Our stock was then large, and had cost a high price. He was in great anguish, considering himself a bankrupt for at least five thousand dollars. I cheered him by offering to cancel our copartnership indentures, give him up his note, and, at the end of the year, pay him five thousand dollars. He declined the offer, saying I should lose that, and more beside, and, as he had enlisted, would do the best he could. This was in character, and it was well for us both. He was called off to do duty as a soldier, through most of the year. I took care of the business, and prepared to retreat with my family into the country whenever the town seemed liable to fall into the hands of the British, who were very threatening in their demonstrations. We still continue mercantile business under the first set of indentures, and under the same firm, merely adding '& Co.,' as new partners have been admitted."
In March, 1815, the junior partner embarked on board the ship Milo, the first vessel which sailed from Boston for England after the proclamation of peace. On the eve of his departure, he received from his brother and senior partner a letter containing many good counsels for his future moral guidance, as well as instructions in relation to the course of business to be pursued. From that letter, dated March 11th, the following extracts are taken: