2

More than once had she murmured that
a stranger should eat, what her children
craved and to Lucy bitter indeed was every
morsel taken from this almost starving
family. [The indefatigable Richard,
worked on day after day, grateful if
he carried enough home to keep them alive.
His return used to diffuse cheerfulness,
if not relief and his observations drawn
from that inexhaustible reservior, his
Bible, was the only comfort and support
that remained to the
unfortunate wanderer.
"Dont be so down hearted," he would say
when things come to the worst they must
mend; after winter comes spring, after
rain comes sunshine--take patience--
patience is the best salve for any
sore--all will soon go well--Congress
will come and then I shall get a plenty
of work."
"But we may all starve afore