From the Iris
ELLEN'S HALF DOLLAR.

A USEFUL LESSON.
{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
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Ellen Villars was the orphan niece of a
wealthy farmer, who had commenced the
world with no capital but industry. Fortune
had smiled upon his labors, and he was
soon able to purchase for himself snug
farm, upon which he built neat cottage (;
and went on from year TO year adding tract
after tract of land TO his wide domains, un-
til he could look for miles around on his
own possessions. A little village reared its
head amidst beautiful cluster Of elm-trees
and owned him as its master, and was al
so known by his name. -..


He had, in early life, selected one from
amongst his neighbor's daughters, with
whom to divide his cares and share his
ioys-and hand in hand they had journey
ed on through lfe's tedious way, so INNER
sed in the tumult of business, as not to
perceive the vacancy around them. But, at
the age of fifty, Mr.. Granger found that,
Notwithstanding the bounteous gifts of Pro-
vidence, theIe was void in his breast
he had no smiling offspring to gather
around his knee at dewy eve--no lisping
prattler to greet his return.


However, ne was not long leit TO mourn
over his lonely state--the death Of an only
sister, at this period, gave to his charge the
orphan Ellen; and the old man entered, as
il were, upon new life.


There was no pain that Ellen's presence
could not mitigate, no grief she could not
assuage No fears or threats could alarm
him, save the fear Of losing Ellen, the idol
of his hopes, the centre of his attractions.


Merry Christmas paid its annual visit to
the young folks-apd the corner allotted
to Ellen for her play house, ground beneath
the weight Of tokens deposited there by
numerous friends, for the purpose Of de-
lighting the fancy of the child, or gaining
the favor Of the wealthy uncle. Among
the rest of the gifts was bright half dol
lar, which she turded over and over, and
laid il aside in her work box.


Christmas sport and pastimes over, the
toys and play-things lost their attractions,