The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-17


Gradually, however. as his mud became
intently fixed upon his work, and his body
felt the impulse of manual aciiveness, a
slight reaction took place. and the whole
machinery of his physical frame moved
on with something approaching to
healthy tone. His hand grew s,eadier,
though i. still rembled.
Two hours brough his regular dinner
time, when Jarvis, who began To feel The
want of food. returned home with new
and strange feelings abou, his heart.
One impulse was To tell his wife wha,
he had done. aud wha, he was doing
But then he remembered how often hr
had Knocked her new sprlnsing hopes
how often he had promised amendment.
and once joineda temperance society. only
to relapse into lower and more degraded
condition.
No. no. he said to himself, after de-
hating The question in has mind, rs he
walked towards home will no, tel,
her now. will first present some fruit
Of ms repentance. | wall give such an
assurance as will create confidence and
hope
Mrs. Jarvis did not raise her eyes to
the face Of her husband. as he entered.
| The sight of than once loved connienanre.
distorted and disigurrd. ever made her
hear sick when she looked upon it. Jar
Wis seated himself quietly IN a chair. and
held on, his hands 70, his youngest child,
not over two years old. who had M con
seriousness of his fathers degradation. In
a moment the happy iitle creature was on
his knee. But the other children showed
no inclination 10 approach. His conduct
had esiranged their young hearts pnresi
and most innocent affections. This was
perceived. and felt keenly. But le had
hope of rcclalnlng all he had lost. aud
dis compensated. in some degree, for the
present distance and infringement.
The frugal meal passed IN silence and
Restraint. Mrs. Jarvis icll troubled and
oppressed--inr The prospect before her
seemed 10 grow more aud more gloomy.
All The morning she had suffered from "A
STEADY pain IN her breast. and from las
situde she Gould mol overcome.
Tier pale. ,hin, care-worn face. told a
sad tale oi suffering, prl,atlon, conline-
inent. an want If cXercise.-- What was
10 become of her chidred she knew not.
Under such feelings Of hopclessness. TO
Rave ".,c sitting by her side who could
take mach oI her burdens from her. were
be Ia will i,--who could call back the
lIsiH to her heart, if only true to his pro-
niise, made ~ earlier years--soured ~
>o"ac degree her feelings, aud obscured
t,cr perceptions. She did not note thai
some change had passed upon him; a
change tl,al # marked. would have caused
her hear, To leap in her bosom.
As soon rs Jarvis had risen from the
table he took his hat, and kissing his
younges, child. the only ouc tina, seemed
10 regard him, passed quickly from The
l,u,ise. As the door closed after him, his
wife heaved long sigh, aud then rising,
mechanically, proceeded to clear up the
table. Of how many crushed affections
and disappointed hopes, did that one deep,
ireinulons sigh speak
Jarvis returned to his work, and APP
piled himself steadily during the whole
afternoon. Whenever desire for liquor
returned To him, he quencled i, in CO.
pious draugh, Of water, and thus kept
himself as free from temptation as posi-
BILE. At night he returned, when the
same troubled and uneasy silence perva-
ded the lils family at the supper table.
The meal was scanty, for Mrs. Jarvis
incessant labor could procure but poor
supply of food. After the children had
been put To bed. Mrs. Jarvis sat down. as
usual, 10 spend the evening. tired as she
was. aud much AZ her breast PANIED her,
in sewing. A deep sigh heaved involun-
tarlv her bosom ~ she did so. IL caught
the ear oi her husband. aud smote upon
his heart. He knew her heallh was fee.
hle, AMI iha, constant labor fAtigued her
/ excessively.
! 4 wouldn't sew tonight, Jane he
said. You look tired. Rest for one
' evening"
, Mrs. Jarvis neither looked up nor re
plird. There was something N the ton,
of her husbands voice tina, stirred he
i feelings; something that softrncd he
heart towards him, But che dared no
: trust herself to speak nor 10 let her ey,
meet his. She did no, wish to utter
5 harsh or repulslve word. nor was she vii
: ling 10 speak kindly To him. for she dit
+ no, feel kindly.-and kind words ant
d affected cheerfulness she had already