Such philosophy is rarely found.  The most perfect sample I ever met was an old woman, who was apparently the poorest and most forlorn of the human species—­so true is the maxim which all profess to believe, and which none act upon invariably, viz. that happiness does not depend on outward circumstances.  The wise woman, to whom I have alluded, walks to Boston, from a distance of twenty-five or thirty miles, to sell a bag of brown thread and stockings; and then patiently foots it back again with her little gains.  Her dress, though tidy, is a grotesque collection of ‘shreds and patches,’ coarse in the extreme.  ‘Why don’t you come down in a wagon?’ said I, when I observed that she was soon to become a mother, and was evidently wearied with her long journey.  ‘We h’an’t got any horse,’ replied she; ’the neighbors are very kind to me, but they can’t spare their’n; and it would cost as much to hire one, as all my thread will come to.’  ’You have a husband—­don’t he do anything for you.’  ’He is a good man; he does all he can; but he’s a cripple and an invalid.  He reels my yarn, and specks the children’s shoes.  He’s as kind a husband as a woman need to have.’  ‘But his being a cripple is a heavy misfortune to you,’ said I.  ‘Why, ma’am, I don’t look upon it in that light,’ replied the thread-woman; ’I consider that I’ve great reason to be thankful he never took to any bad habits.’  ‘How many children have you?’ ’Six sons, and five darters, ma’am.’  ’Six sons and five daughters!  What a family for a poor woman to support!’ ’It’s a family, surely, ma’am; but there an’t one of ’em I’d be willing to lose.  They are as good children as need to be—­all willing to work, and all clever to me.  Even the littlest boy, when he gets a cent now and then for doing a chore, will be sure and bring it to ma’am.’  ’Do your daughters spin your thread?’ ’No, ma’am; as soon as they are old enough, they go out to sarvice.  I don’t want to keep them always delving for me; they are always willing to give me what they can; but it is right and fair they should do a little for themselves.  I do all my spinning after the folks are abed.’  ’Don’t you think you should be better off, if you had no one but yourself to provide for?’ ’Why, no, ma’am, I don’t.  If I hadn’t been married, I should always have had to work as hard as I could; and now I can’t do more than that.  My children are a great comfort to me; and I look forward to the time when they’ll do as much for me as I have done for them.’

Here was true philosophy!  I learned a lesson from that poor woman which I shall not soon forget.  If I wanted true, hearty, well principled service, I would employ children brought up by such a mother.

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REASONS FOR HARD TIMES.