nessed the
benevolent proceedings of the matrons, spinsters, and young maidens, for
the poor, benighted heathen on the far-distant shores of Hindostan, or
the benighted millions who sit in the "region and shadow of death" on
the desert plains of Ethiopia? And while thou hast heard the lady
president plead so eloquently for those nations, who, groaning in their
self-forged chains, bow to the great Moloch of superstition and
idolatry, as to "draw tears of blood," as it were, from the eyes of her
rapt and devoted listeners, hast ever marked a pale, trembling child of
want totter to the door, and ask for the "crumbs that fall" from this
humane society's tea-table, and heard the answer, "Begone! this is a
benevolent association for the purpose of evangelizing the heathen, not
to feed lazy beggars at our own doors?"

And has thy lips dared e'en to whisper,

"O for the charity that begins at home!"

Well, the "Ladies' Literary Benevolent Combination for Foreign Aid" was
duly congregated at Mrs. Jane Rockport's, Pleasant-street, in the town
of Bellevue, on the western shore of Lake Erie. It was a rainy day,--as
days for the meeting of sewing circles most always are; though why
Heaven should strive to thwart benevolence is a point upon which we will
not venture an opinion.

About twenty of the most zealous in the course of philanthropy, who no
doubt felt the wrongs of the suffering heathen impelling them to brave
the wind and rain, had assembled in Mrs. Rockport's parlor, and, after
hearing a hymn composed for the occasion by the Misses Gaddies, and
performed by the same interesting young ladies, and an appropriate
prayer by the president, Mrs. Stebbins, the work designed for the
present meeting was laid upon the table, and the several members of the
little company selected articles upon which to display their
benevolence, and scattered off in groups of two and three to different
parts of the room, while a low, incessant hum of voices struck the ear
from all quarters. It appeared the devoted ladies were exerting their
tongues as well as fingers in the good cause.

"Now, do you suppose it is true?" asked Miss Jerusha Sharpwell, at
length, in a raised voice, with horror and amazement depicted on her
sharp-featured face.

"Why, Susan Simpson told me that Dilly Hootaway told her that little
Nanny Dutton told her, 'Pa had got a nice lamb shut up in a pen, and
they were going to have it killed for Christmas,'" said Mrs. Dor