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Finley, Martha, 1828-1909

"Elsie's Womanhood"

"
--SHAKESPEARE'S JULIUS CAESAR.

The winter of 1861-'62 wore wearily away, the Great Republic still
convulsed with all the horrors of the civil war; and the opening spring
witnessed no abatement of the fearful strife.
Daring all these months nothing unusual had occurred in the family of our
friends at Naples; but one lovely morning in April a sweet floweret
blossomed among them; bringing joy and gladness to all hearts.
"Our little violet," Elsie said, smiling up at the happy face of her
husband, as he bent over her and the babe. "She has come to us just as her
namesakes in America are lifting their pretty heads among the grass."
"Thank you, darling," he answered, softly touching his lips to her cheek;
"yes, we will give her my mother's name, and may she inherit her lovely
disposition also."
"I should be so glad, dear mother's was as lovely a character as I ever
knew."
"Our responsibilities are growing, love: three precious little ones now to
train up for usefulness here and glory hereafter."
"Yes," she said, with grave yet happy face; "and who is sufficient for
these things?"
"Our sufficiency is of God!"
"And He has promised wisdom to those who ask it. What a comfort. I should
like to show this pretty one to Walter.


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