Sam was poisoned by a villainous butcher;
Bruin had been killed by Hugh Boyle; Maggie had eloped with a wild
native to a gum-tree; Joey had been eaten by Pussy; Barlow had been
crossed in love, and then the crowning misfortune befell the hermit.
Mrs. Chisholm was a lady who gave early tokens of her vocation. At
the age of seven she began to form benevolent plans for the colonies
of Great Britain. She built ships of broad beans, filled them with
poor families of Couchwood, sent them to sea in a wash-basin, landed
them in a bed-quilt, and started them growing wheat. Then she loaded
her fleet with a return cargo for the British pauper, one grain of
wheat in each ship, and navigated it safely to Old England. She made
many prosperous voyages, but once a storm arose which sent all her
ships to the bottom of the sea. She sent a Wesleyan minister and a
Catholic priest to Botany Bay in the same cabin, strictly enjoining
them not to quarrel during the voyage. At the age of twenty she
married Captain Chisholm, and went with him to Madras. There she
established a School of Industry for Girls, and her husband seconded
her in all her good works.
Mr. Chamier, the secretary, took a great interest in her school; Sir
Frederick Adams subscribed 20 pounds, and officers and gentlemen in
Madras contributed in five days 2,000 rupees.
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