They returned with faces full of excitement.
"What news ?" queried both ladies in a breath.
"Lincoln has issued an Emancipation Proclamation freeing all the blacks." There was a momentary pause: then Rose said, "If it puts an end to this dreadful war, I shall not be sorry." "Nor I," said Elsie.
"Perhaps you don't reflect that it takes a good deal out of our pockets," remarked her father.

"Several hundred thousand from yours." "Yes, papa, I know; but we will not be very poor.

I alone have enough left to keep us all comfortably.

If I were only sure it would add to the happiness of my poor people, I should rejoice over it.

But I am sorely troubled to know what has, or will become of them.