The Pedler of Dust Sticks | Page 9

show her copy of it to
her friends. Near it hung a likeness of his dear Agatha. She was very
beautiful. It was a pleasant thing to hear the daughter talk of her father
and mother.
Thus did Henry live a useful, honorable, and happy life--the natural
result of his industry, perseverance, uprightness, and true benevolence.
Like Ben Adhem, he had shown his love to God by his love to man.
One of Henry's sons had come to this country, to set up a cane and
whalebone factory in New York. The father had aided him as far as he
thought best, but urged him to depend as far as possible upon his own
industry and ability.
This son followed his father's example, and was very successful; but
was obliged, on account of the bad effects of our climate upon his
health, to return to his native land. The father, who was anxious to visit
the United States, and wished much to see his daughter again, who was
particularly dear to him, determined to come, for a while, in his son's
place. Henry thought also that his health, which began to fail, might be
benefited by a sea voyage.
One reason why he wished much to visit America was, that he might
see, with his own eyes, the position of the laboring classes in the Free
States. Of the Slave States he never could think with patience. His
daughter told me that the only time when she had seen her father lose

his self-command, was when a gentleman, just returned from the West
Indies, had defended slavery, and had said that the negroes were only
fit to be slaves. Henry's anger was irrepressible, and, although it was at
his own table, and he was remarkable for his hospitality and politeness,
he could not help showing his indignation.
Nothing could exceed his delight at what he saw in this part of our
country. The appearance every where of prosperity and comfort; the
cheerful look of our mechanics and laborers; their activity; the freedom
and joyousness of their manners,--all spoke to him of a free, prosperous,
and happy people.
He was only, for any long time, in New York, where his son's factory
was, and in Massachusetts, where his daughter lived. Unhappily his
health did not improve. On the contrary, it failed almost daily. Still he
enjoyed himself much. While in this part of the country, he took many
drives around the environs of Boston with his daughter, and expressed
the greatest delight at the aspect of the country, particularly at the
appearance of the houses of the farmers and mechanics.
He found, when in the city of New York, that attention to business was
too much for his strength; so he resolved to travel. "Nature," he said,
"will cure me; I will go to Niagara."
He brought with him, as a companion and nurse, his youngest son, a lad
of fifteen years of age. The boy went every where with him. When they
arrived at Niagara, Henry would not go to the Falls with any other
visitors; he only allowed his son to accompany him. When he first saw
this glorious wonder of our western world, he fell on his knees and
wept; he could not contain his emotion. He was a true worshipper of
Nature, and he courted her healing influences; but he only found still
greater peace and health of mind; his bodily health did not return.
His daughter, who, like all Germans, held a festival every Christmas,
wrote to urge him to pass his Christmas with her at her Massachusetts
home; he was then in New York. He replied that he was too ill to bear
the journey at that season. The pleasure of the thought of her Christmas
evening was gone; but she determined to make it as pleasant as she

could to her husband and children, though her thoughts and her heart
were with her sick father.
In the morning, however, a telegraphic message arrived from her father,
saying he would be with them at eight o'clock in the evening.
With the Germans, the whole family make presents to each other, no
matter how trifling; but some little present every one receives. Henry's
little granddaughter was dressed in a style as fairy-like as possible, and
presented her grandfather with a basket of such fruits as the season
would allow of, as the most appropriate present for a lover of Nature. A
very happy evening the good man had with his children.
He was forced to return to New York. It was not many months after
that his daughter heard that he was very ill at Oyster Bay, where he had
gone to a water cure establishment. She went immediately to him, and
remained with him, nursing him, and