Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

EXPANDING INTERESTS

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had with her, as well as reading and memorizing, and
of the fourth lively grandson, who still recites The Lady
of the Lake, which he learned from Grandmother, she
once wrote that he was filling her room with "happiness
and confusion." No multiplication of families is ever too
large for a mother's heart. The old home at Lihue
remained home too, and writing once from Honolulu to
her Isenberg children there, Mother Rice gave expression to something of her affection for, and dependence on,
her family at Koamalu.
Oct. 14th, 1876...... Emily writes that her health has improved all summer,
though she is not free from cough. My sister Lucy writes, "Much
love to Beta. I wish she could know how gratefully I appreciate
her kind remembrance of me." Did you think of me on the lth?
-my 60th birthday. I had a pleasant day of thoughts. My verse
for the day was Psalms 116th, 12th verse. I thought of "benefits"
so many. You, my dear Beta, have been one of them for which
I am truly grateful. And Paul's thrift & enterprise give me my
competence, nay more even than a competence.
I must tell you how happy Paul made me when he arrived
the other day. "Mother," he said as we sat at table, "I have
come to take you home." It gave me, & has ever since given me
such a happy feeling, that I had a son who would take me home.
And it is such a comfort to know that he is ever mindful of the
needs of others who are widowed and orphaned. He is a true
friend to many. I hope he will never weary in this work & am
sure he will have a rich reward.
When Grandmother remained in Honolulu at Aunt
Anna's during the long vacation, as she often did, the
return steamer or schooner always brought prompt messages, neatly and painstakingly written in large school
script.