Page:Tributes to Helen Bell, Woman's Progress, April 1895.djvu/2



Vol. IV.

HELEN BELL, THE FRIEND OF THE WORKING WOMAN.

"Das Ewig-Weibliche zieht uns hinan."—Goethe.

Summer after summer unnumbered visitors resort to the Delaware Water Gap to enjoy the pure air and varied landscape—the forest-clad mountains and fertile river-bottoms, and the picturesque streams leaping from their sunny heights, and then flowing slowly through the valley into the calm Delaware.

Here an abundant flora greets the advent of spring, and makes summer fragrant with the white blossoms of the buckwheat that clings to the stony hill side, caressed by lively bees gathering a royal harvest of honey for their winter stores. A little later autumn assumes a dress of unusual brilliancy, contrasting finely with the unchanging evergreens till winter follows all enrobed in white, bringing leisure for family parties and all the blessedness of home and social life.

In one of the most charming valleys of Monroe county, where the clear water curves around the mountain base, was born a child, born to be a blessing not only to her parents, John and Antoinette Bell, but also to be a blessing to her generation.

Though she was taken to Philadelphia when her tiny feet had just begun to walk their ways of purity, and her baby tongue to utter words of endearment and admiration, again and again she returned to visit the delightful scenery around the Water Gap and the dear relatives who remained in their country homes.

Infancy and childhood came to her with most favorable surroundings. Of this happy child, watched over by the tender mother, guarded by the loving father, playing children's games under the shade trees, or in the little gardens that lined the unique semi-rural street wherein she dwelt, a portrait was painted by the gifted artist, Mrs. Darley, the daughter of the famed Sully. Mr. John Jordan, Jr., the child's maternal uncle, had the portrait of his beloved niece engraved and placed on the one and two dollar notes of the