The foster-sisters

by Lucy Ellen Guernsey

I saw Amabel nicely settled in her new house, and then went back to Mrs. Deborah. I tried not to be selfish, but I must confess I felt rather forlorn. However, I knew there was no use in repining, and no sense in it either, seeing that my fate had been ordered by One wiser than myself, who knew just what was best for me.

So I set to work with all my might nursing Mrs. Deborah, who was growing very feeble and helpless from rheumatism, and attending to the poor folks and teaching in the school, whereby I got into some trouble with Mr. Lethbridge from teaching the children one of Mr. Charles Wesley's hymns. He forgave me afterward, however, and grew somewhat inconveniently friendly. However, he got over it, and married a very nice young lady.

I helped Mary Lee prepare her wedding set out, and saw her married to Alick, who made her an excellent husband. I spun a great deal of fine thread, and made baby-linen for Amabel, whose first child was named for me. I was quite rich for the time and place. Sir Julius had directed Mr. Thirlwall to pay me the rents of the Black Lees, which was in the hands of an excellent tenant, and I asked no questions about the past profits which had gene into Sir Julius' pockets. Besides, I had a hundred a year from Mr. Carey.

I finished Mrs. Chloe's knitted quilt, and made one of silk patchwork for Amabel, which was much admired. I will not say that I was not somewhat sad and lonely at times, but generally I was content enough. Amabel was happy as a woman could well be in this world, with an excellent husband and lovely, healthy children, and I saw her two or three times a year.

I knew that I was a great comfort to Mrs. Deborah in her lonely old age, and that I was useful in the village.

I staid several years with Mrs. Deborah, and laid her honored head in the grave beside Mrs. Chloe's.

Then, being over five and twenty, and my presence being needful in Exeter to settle certain business matters, I made the long journey thither, and staid with Mr. and Mrs. Carey several months, after which I came to my present home. It is a very neat and pretty old house, not large, but convenient and sunny, in a little valley or coombe opening to the sea.

After I had lived here a year, I put in practise a plan which had been brewing in my head for some time. I took into my family five or six orphan maidens, children of sailors, and with the help of an excellent worthy woman, I made a home for them; teaching them to read and write, to knit, spin, and sew, and giving them other learning suitable for their condition, preparing them either for service or for ruling families of their own. I never have more than six at one time, and though they have all sorts of dispositions among them, and are naughty and troublesome at times like all children, I have been very happy with them.

I have only one of my original flock left, and she is sister, child, and servant all in one. I fear that I shall soon lose her, for Simon Sablot, a fine young man of French protestant descent, and a ship's carpenter in good business, is looking after her, and I do not think she is at all averse to him.

Mr. Cheriton in course of time succeeded to the Carew estate and title, and came to live upon his lands. This was a great joy to me, as it brought Amabel once more within my reach. She often comes to see me, and I have one or other of her daughters with me for weeks at a time. She has been a happy woman, though she has had her troubles, particularly in the loss of several of her children.