Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-12-24
THE DOOR LATCH.

"Go back and shut that door!" roared in
voice Of thunder.
"How can you, my DEAR" said Julia, with
suppllcating glance, 'speak SO rery loud,
when have just told you that my head is
bursting with pain"
Because" said !, 81 can bear it 10 longer.
1t is now ten years since we moved into this
room, and ten times every day have been
compelled toget up and shut that door after
one and another. ! have talked-and talked
but it Is all Of no use: the door still stands
wide open, and cannot bear it-No! and
mont bear it any longer-I'll sell the house
sooner than endure it another week."
! Her tiny white hand was pressed against
her throbbing forehead, as finished the SEN
tence with glance at her of undissembled
sternness, and the mild look of patient suffer
ing and imploring submission with which she
returned my angry frown-it cut me to the
heart! could read my own death warrant
at this very hour with less pain than felt at
that moment, as she raised her blue eyes
glistening with suppressed tears, and with all
the innocence and affection of an expiring
saint, begged me in The silent eloquence of
nature to spare her whom had promised to
"cherish and to love-"
81 never have seen you troubled" said she,
(uncomplainng spirit! there was no emphasis
mo! not the least, on the word iroubltdD Il
have never seen you troubled at any thing
except that door-and gladly would remedy
1t, but you know / cannot. Were very Int.
tie filed from the inside the catch it would
shut without difficulty should never think
OF 1t, said she, after pause, "on my account,
but it causes you so much vexation."
1t was true rs she had said, that felt more
anger IN consequence Of that unfortunate
door than all the other untoward events which,
had experienced from the time Of my mar.
riage. A henvy loss-a sore disappointment
great calamity. could endure with CON-
posure. The trial required philosophy for its
support and the exercise of philosophy was a
gratltica alton to pride. But door latch!-I
What occasion could that give for philoso-
ply? None, and there fore felt it gall me
to the quick! 1t was, as observed, so easy
to shut 1t with little care-such little thing,
if only attended to. "True!" whispered phil.
osophy in my ear, "but such little thing to
get angry about such little thing'to make
you miserable for an hour every day! for
shame, Mr.. plowman?" TO tell the truth: I
began to feel little ashamed when recol-
iected how much unhappiness it had caused
not only myselE-but through me my dearerI
wife.
81 declare, my dear" said 7, "that if that
door latch had only been filed ten years ago,
it would have saved each of us one year of
pain before this tme."
Thomas had brought in file before my
speech was finished, and in few moments
the door shut as easily and firmly as ever door
did. Lswung it a few times OIL the hinges
with an air of triumph, and verify believe
that the work Of that single moment confer
red more happiness on Julia as well as my
self, than all his blood bought triumphs ever
yielded t. the conqueror.
"Ehe root Of bitterness" said I, SIS remov-
ed at last, and can only wonder at my own
stupidity In not thinking Of this simple RENE
dy before-but Heaven forgive me! I had
entirely forgotten your headache: the sound
OF that ie must have been torture to YOU"
She smiled sweetly as she leaned her head
on my shoulder, declaring although her FORE
head burnt, and the blood was raging through
her veins, that it was "quite cured since lie
door shut so easily" Uncomplaining, devo-
ted, self-sacrIicing treasure of my heart
How could do less than clasp her TO my bo-
som and swear to cherish her with tenfold
care, and pray-while | kissed away the tear
from her eye-that my own cruel thoughless-
ness might never fill its place with another.
Such pleasure was too rare and valuable to
be destroyed at the moment of the birth-so
took my arm chair from the corner and Sit
ting down by the side of Julia, who, while
she held my hand, looked me in the face with
very much Of that expression Of innocent de-
light, which so rarely survives childhood. |
pursued my cogtations somewhat in the fol-
lowing order. "Life is made up of moments.
Our happiness or unhappiness during any one
OF these moments depends almost invariably
upon the merest trlfes. If these momentary
,riies are in the scale Of happiness life is
happy. Take care then Of rifies, and great
events will take care Of themselves. tSome-
where about here began to think aloud,)-l
lost grandiather-sn amiable, excellent,
and most affectionote grandfa,her-apd nv
grief was great. Nevertheless. I do believe
that II the hard botfomed chair, IN. B. II was
of white, in which ] have sat for the last
eight-yes! nine years--if this chair had but
been well covered with good, soft, sheep
at the cost Of ninepence- II
I would have saved Inc from a greater grief
han the death Of my grandfather"
tits Notifying reflection" said Julia,
,nterrupting my soliloquy, "and one which at
nrst thought would seem to speak little for
your heart-yeta true one perhaps; and yet
no more true with you than many Others" II
"And still" said I aI nm, ,.;,l.... AZ. .l.uo /