Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-05-20
lfron: the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
A VISIT HOME.
BIZ T. s. ARTHUR.

home, Lucy tray saiu u "ei 'usoa"o,
sand so you must let me 60 for few
weeks"
They had been married some four or
five wears, and never been separated
during that time for single night.
81 thot' you called this your home,"
Gray said, looking up with mock-se-
rious air.
81 mean my old home," Lucy re-
piled, in half affected tone OF anger
''Or to make it plain | want to 60 and
see father and mother"
"Can't you waitthree or four months,
until ! can 60 with your" asked the
young husband.
81 want to 60 now. You said all
along that should 60 in May"
81 know l did. But then l supposed
that I would be able to 60 with YOU"
"Well, why can't your am sure
you might if you would"
"No, Lucy, | cannot possibly leave
home now. But if you are very anxious
to see the old folks, l can put you 10
the stage and you will go safe enough.
Ellen and can take care Of little Lucy,
no doubt. How long time do you
wish to spend with them?"
"About three weeks, or So"
"Very well, Lucy, if you are not a.
fraid to 60 alone, ! shall not say a
word"
"Pm not afraid, DEAR" the wife said
in voice changed and softened in its
expression.--"
Bat are you perfectly willing TO let
me go, Henry"
80, certainly" was the reply, altho'
the tone in which the word was uttered
had something of reluctance in it. at
would be selfish in me to say no. Your
father and mother will be delighted to
receive visit just now"
sand you think that you and Ellen
can get along with little Lucy!"
so yes, very we'll"
81 should like to 60 so much"
$50, then, by all means"
"But won't you be very lonesome
without mee" suggested Lucy, in
whose own bosom feeling of loneli-
ness was already beginning to be felt
al the bare idea Of a separation from her
husband.
~ can stand j. rs long as you cam"
was Gray's laughing reply to this.
"And then l shall have our dear little
girl"
Lucy laughed in return, but did not
feel as happy a, the idea of "going home"
as she thought she would be, before
her husbands consent had been gained.
The desire to go, however, remaining
strong, it was finally settled that the
visit should be paid. So all the prepa-
ralions were made, and in the course
Of week Henry Gray saw his wife
take her seat in the stage, with feeling
Of regret at parting which required all
his efforts to conceal. As for Lucy,
when the pinch came, she regretted
ever having thought of going without
her husband and child; but she was
ashamed to Iet herreal feelings he known
So she kept on a show OF indifference,
all the while that her heart was flut,er-
ing. The kiss given, and the "good-
bv" finally said, the driver cracked his
whip, and of rolled the stage. Gray
turned homeward with dull, lonely
feeling, and Lucy drew her veil over
her face to conceal the unbidden tears
from her fellow passengers.
That night, poor Mr.. Gray slept but
little.-How could he? His Lucy was
absent, and for the first time, from his
side. On the next morning, as he could
think of nothing but his wife, he sat
down and wrote to her, telling her how
lost and lonely he felt, and how much
little Lucy missed her, but still 10 try
and enjoy herself, and by all means to
write him letter by return of mail.
As for Mrs. Gray, during her jour
ney Of two whole days, she cried fully
half of the time, and when she got
"home" at last, tina is, at her fathers,
she looked the very picture Of distress,
rather than the daughter full Of joy at
meeting her parents.
Right glad were tho old people TO
see their dear child, but grieved at the
same time, and little hurt too, at her
weakness and evident regret at having
left her husband, 10 make them brief
visit. The real pleasure that Lucy felt
at once more seeing the faces of her
parents, whom she tenderly loved, was
not strong enough to subdue and keep