Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-09-08
TIE RETUR.,-0R, nov. IS 1r,

i
BIT T. s. ARTHUR.
It's nearly year now since I was
home.' Lucy Gray said to her husband,
so you mus. let me 60 for few weeks
They had been married some four or
Ave years and never had been separated
during that time for a single night.
/ Il thought you called this your homer
Gray said. looking up with mock, serious
air. .y.
i mean my old home.' Lucy replied in
a half affected tone Of anger. Or. 10
make It plain, / want TO go and see father
and mother
'Can't you wait three of four months,
until can go with you! asked the young
husband.
/ want to 60 now. You said all along
that should 60 In May
i knowI did. But then l suppose that
would be able to 60 with you
Well, why can't you! L am sure you
might, ifyou would 50
81. No, Lucy, l cannot possibly leave
home now. Blu. if you are very anxious
to see the old folks, l can put you in the
stage. and you can 60 safe enough. Ellen
and l can take care of Little Lucy. no
doubt. How long time do you wish to
spend with ,hem!'
About three weeks or So
Very well, Lucy, if you are not afraid
10 60 alone, ! shall not say word
sTm no. afraid, DEAR the wife said in
voice changed and sofened in its express
sion. But are you perfectly willing to
let me 60 Henry
%, certainly was the reply, although
the tone in which the word was uttered
had something like reluctance in it. 1T
would be selfish in me to say no. Your
father and mother will be delighted to re-
ceive visit just now
And you think that you and Ellen can
get along with little Lucy!'
20 yes, very WE'LL
Il should like to go so much
Go then, by all MEANS
But won't you be very Lonesome with
out me ? suggested Lucy, in whose own
bosom feeling of loneliness was already
beginning to be felt at the bare idea Of
separation from her husband.
Il can stand it as long as you can was
Gray's laughing reply to this. And then
| shall have our dear little girl
I1uCy s~~oa-~a y" .~'~.~, IL -. c.ol
as happy at the idea Of going home as
she thought she would be, before her.hus-
bands consent had been gained. The de-
sire to go, however, remained strong. ii
was finally settled that the visit should be
paid. So all the preparations 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 & child; bu, she was ashamed to
let her real feeling be known. So she
KEEP, on a show of indifference, all the
while that her heart was futtering. The
good by finally said. the driver cracked
his whip, and off rolled the stage. Gray
turned homeward with dull, lonely fee
ling, and Lucy drew her veil over her
face to conceal the unbidden tears from
her fellow passengers.
That night, poor Mr.. Gray eiep: but lit
tie. How could he His Lucy was ab-
sent, 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, bu, still to try and enjoy him
self, and by all means TO write him letter
by return mail. @.
As for MIS- Gray, during her journey
of two whole days, she cried fully half OF
the time, and when she got home at last
that is at her fathers, she looked the pic
ture of distress, rather thar the daughter
full of Joy at meeting her parents.
Right glad were the old people to see
their dear child, but grieved at the same
time. and little hurt too, at her weakness
and evident regre. at having left her hus>
band. 10 make them brief visit. The
real pleasure that Lucy felt at once more
seeing the faces of her parents, she ten
derly loved, was strong enough to subdue
and keep in concealmenl except for very
short period at time, her yearning desire
again to see her husband, for whom she
never before experienced feeling Of such
deep earnest affection. Several times du-
ring the first day Of her visit. did her mo-
Their find her in tears, which she would
Quickly dash aside, and then endeavor to
smile and seem cheerful.
The day after her arrival brought her
let,er-.he first she had ever receivedlrom
her husband. How precious was every
word How often and often did she read
il over, until every line was engraven on