The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-07-07

trembling, fearful look, the wife gazed up
into her husbands face, and seemed ready
to crouch back from his approach, when the
mark ola tear-drop upon his cheek caught
her eye. Could it be-, thought she, that that
,pearly drop was in truth a tear! No-per-
,haps G. snow flake had fallen there and melt
ed
Once or twice, Thomas Wilkins seemed
upon the point of speaking some word to his
wife, but at length, he turned slowly away
and silently undressed himself, and very soon
after his weary limbs had touched the bed
he was asleep.
Long and earnestly did Mrs. Wilkins gaze
upon the features of her husband after he
had fallen asleep. There was something
strange in his Misunderstanding unac-
countable-surely he had no: been drinking.
for his countenance had none of that vacant,
wild, demoniac look that usually rested
there. His features were rather sad and
thoughtful, than otherwise; and-O Jheavcns
is it possible!-a smile played about his
mouth and sound as if of prayer, issued
from his lips while yet he slept!
A faint hope, like the misty vapor of ap.
preaching morn, fitted before the heart
broken wife. But she could not grasp it,
she had no foundation for it; and with a
deep groan she letthe phantom pass. She
went TO her children, and drew the clothes
more closely about them; she :hen knelt by
their side, and after imprintng upon then
checks mothers kiss, and uttering fer
vent prayer in their behalf, she soushS the
repose of her pillow.
Long ere the morning dawned, Thomas
Wilkins arose from his bed, dressed himself
and left the house. His poor wife awoke
just as he was going out. and she would
have called to him, but she dared not She
would have told him she had no fuel, NO
bread-not anything with which to warm
and feed the children; but he was gone, and
she sank back upon the pillow and wept.
The light of morning came at length but
Mrs. Wilkins had not risen from her resting
place. & sonnd Of foot-st ps was heard
from without accompanied by noise, as
though a light sled were being dragged
through the snow. The door opened, and
,, her husband entered. He laid upon the ia.
bic heavy wheaton loaf, a small pail, and
paper bundle, then from lis pocket he took
another paper parcel, and again he turned
towards the door, When next he entered
he bore in his arms a load of wood; and
three times did he go out and return with a
load Of the same description. Then he bent
over the fire place, and soon blazing fire
, snapped and sparklcd on the hearth As
; soon as this was accomplished, Thomas
Wilkins bent over his children and kissed
them; then he went to the bedside of his
wife, and while some powerful emotion stir,
red up his soul and made his chest heayc,
he murmured:
"Kiss me, Lizzie"
Tightly that wife wound her arms about
: the neck Of her husband, and, as though
the love of years was ccntercd in that ono
kiss, she pressed it upon his lips.
"There--no MORE" as he gently laid the
arm of his wife from his neck these things
have brought are for you and your chill
drcn;" and as he spoke he left the house
Mrs. Wilkins arose from her bed and
trembllngly she examined the articles upon
the table. She found the loaf, and in the
pail she found milk; one of the papers con-
tained to smaller bundles-onc oftea and one
of sugar, while in the remaining parcel she
found nice lump of butter.
"O," murmured the poor wife and moth.
er, as she gazcd upon the food thus spread
out before her," whence come these? Can
= it be that Thomas has stolen them? No, he
, never did that! And when that look--tha
r kiss--th ,se kind, sweet words! q, my poor
poor heart, raise not hope that may only
7 fall and crush thee!''
Mother" at this moment spoke her son
5 who had raised himself upon his elbow, "is
our father gomez"
eyes Charles"
G 80, tell me, mother, did he not come ant
A and kiss me and little Abbey, this morn
c ing?"
: Eyes, yes-he did!' cried the mother, a
t she flew to the side of her boy and wount
A her arms about him.
| "And, MOTHER" said the child, in loy
trembling accents, while he turned tearlu
look to his parents face, "will not father b.
c good to us once more?'
That mother could not speak, tshe coulc
only press her children more fondly to he
: bosom and weep mothers tears upol
them.
t Was Lizzie Wilkins happy, as she sat hel
: children down to that mornings meal? A
n least, ray Of sunshine was struggling t'
u gain entrance to her bosom.
P Toward the middle of the afternoon, Mr.
!, Abel Walker retired sea- captain, of som'
wealth, sat in his comfortable parlor. enga
> Igcd in raading, when one Of his servants in