366 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



us about him. Of a Sunday evening, when free from the 

 cares of the week, he sat longer in his place at the table 

 after tea, the two little girls often stole behind his chair, 

 and with each an arm around his neck, enjoyed hearing him 

 sing, 



" While shepherds watched their flocks by night." 



He delighted to tell and we to hear, the stories of his 

 early home, his father's capture, and his own recollections 

 of his boyish life at Fairfield. His love and reverence for 

 his parents, came out with great force in these sketches. 



As years passed on and grandchildren came to his home 

 and heart, we saw the tenderness of his character in a new 

 relation. The little ones were ever welcome, and their 

 feeling toward him proved the truth of his oft-repeated 

 remark, that " children and women always knew who 

 liked them." They delighted in grandpa's coming, and 

 soon learned to climb his knee and expect a ride. It was 

 a pretty picture to see two little creatures enjoying this 

 pleasure. I can almost hear now his hearty laugh when 

 told that one of the grandsons had treated his little sister's 

 dolls to a ride with grandpa's tune ! 



When in the autumn of 1859, it became necessary for 

 us to seek health in foreign travel, the dear old home 

 was most kindly opened to our two younger children. 

 Of course they brought care with them, but the patient 

 love never failed, and the letters that were so eagerly 

 looked for in a distant land, always bore tender notice of 

 the little ones. They became very dear to both grand 

 parents, and when in a year after our return, they were 

 both called to the mansions of our heavenly Father, the 

 sorrow was deeply shared. During the dying hour of our 

 little daughter, dear grandpa stole into the room, slipping 

 off his shoes to move more quietly. The blue eyes were 

 fixed upon him standing at the foot of the bed, and the 

 little spirit departed with the closing words of his earnest 



