forget for one moment, yet, when these objects were removed from my
sight, I was more able to turn my thoughts upward, to where my heart's
treasure now is, and where I myself expect to be. We had two
men-servants, and my two Indian girls; one of the men I dismissed, the
other I left to take care of the living creatures about the place. One
of my girls I boarded where she would be in good company, and with my
children and their maid I abandoned my solitary dwelling. I met with a
very tender reception from that worthy family. My situation here was
such as I both expected and wished, and attended with many outward
circumstances which had the probability of making it supportable. I
was allowed to be as much by myself as I chose. No one intruded on my
privacy without my consent; but one or other of the Mrs. Gilberts
often visited me in my own room, and drew from my bursting heart all
its griefs, sympathizing, soothing, and advising at the same time.
They are both women of great piety, having for many years devoted
their hearts, time, talents, and fortune to the service of God; and
their two husbands likewise, whose business it has been to instruct
the ignorant negroes without fee or reward. Had it not been for this
family, I know not where the distraction of my mind might have
ended." * * * *


Thus was Mrs. Graham, at the early age of thirty-one, left a
widow in a land of strangers. Her husband, companion, protector, was
gone: a man of superior mind, great taste, warm affection, and
domestic habits. She was left with three daughters, the eldest of whom
was not over five years of age, and expecting an increase of her
infant charge. Of temporal property she possessed very little: she was
at a distance from her father's house: the widow and the fatherless
were in a foreign land. The change in her circumstances was as sudden