The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-27

came home every evening, and gone away
every morning, and during that time she
knew he had drank no Intoxicating bever.
age, for already had his face began to as.
same the stamp of its former manhood
and every worl he had spoken had been
kind and atfectionate. To his children he
brought new shoes and warm clothing,
and to herself he had given such things rs rs
she stood in immediate need of hut vet,
with all this, he had been laciturn and
thoughtful, showing dislike of all oucs-
'ion<, and only speaking such words as
were necessary. The poor, devoting, low
ing wife began to hope! And why should
she nott For six years her husband had
not been thus before. One week ago she
dreade' his appr ach, but now she iound
herself waiting for him with all the ankle.
ty of former years. Should all this he
broken! Should this new charm he swept
away. Eight o'clock came, and so did nine
and ten, and yet her husband came nor
Mother" said little Charles, Just as the
clock struck ten, seeming to have awaken
ed from dreamy slumber, lis not this the
last night of the year'"
ayes, my son"
"And do you know what I've been
dreaming, dear mother2 l dreamed that
father had brought us New Years presents.
just the same as he used to. But he
won't, will hei He's too poor now!"
mo, my dear boy, we shall have no
other present than food; and even for that,
we must thank dear father There, lay
your Lead in my lap again"
The boy laid his curly head once more
in his mothers lap, and with fearful eyes
she gazed upon his innocent form.
The clock struck eleven! The poor
wife was yet on her tirelesS, slceplcss watch,
But hardly had the sound of the lust
stroke died away, C the SHOW crust gave
back the sound of n football, and in mo-
ment more her husband entered. With n
trembling fear she raised her eyes to his
face, and wild thrill Of joy went to her
heart as she saw that qll was open ard
bold-only those manly features looked
mere joyous, more proud than ever.
"Lzzie," said he, in mild, kind accents
al am late to night, but business detained
me, and now have favor to ask of thee"
"Name it, dear Thomas, and YOU shall
not ask it second time" cried the wife, rs
she laid her hand coniijingly upon her
husbands arm.
"Anl YOU will ask me no ouestions,"
continued Wilkins. ~
"No, | will not"
"rhen," continued the husband. rs he
bent over and imprinted kiss upon his
wife's brow, IL want you to dress our chill
dren for a walk, and YOU shall accompany
us. The ight is calm aud tranquil. and
the snow is well trcddcn. AL. no qucs-
tons! Remember your promise"
Lizzie Wilkins knew not what this all
meant, nor did she think to care; for any
thing that could please her husband she
would have done with pleasure. even
though it had wrcnchcl her very heart
strings. In short time the two children
were ready; then Mrs. Wilkins put on
such articles of dress MS she could com.
mand, and soon they were in the road.
The moon shonc bright, the stars pcepcd
down upon the earth, and they seemed to
smile upon the travellers from out their
twinkIing eyes of light.-Silently Wilkins
led the way, and silently his wife anil
children followed. Several times the wife
looked up into her husbands countenancc.
but from the strange expression that rested
there she could m kc out nothing that
tended to satisfy her.
At length, a slight turn in the road
brought them suddenly upon the pretty
white cottage, where, years before, they
had been so happy. They approached
the spot. The snow in the front yard had
been shoveled, and path led to the piazza.
Wilkins opened the gate--his wife, trim
bling, followed, cut wherefore she knew
not. Then her husband opened the door,
and in the entry they we're met by the
smiling countenance Of old Captain Wal
ker, who ushered them into the parlor,
where a warm fire glowed in the crate,
and where everything looked comfortable.
Mrs. Wilkins turned her gaze upon her
husband. Surely, in that greeting be-
tween the poor man and the rich, there
was nor Of that constraint which would
have been expected. They met rather as
friends and neighbors. What could it
meanl
Hark! the clock strikes twelve! The
old year has gone, and new, a bright
winged cyle is about to commence its
flight over the earth.
Thomas Wilkins took the hand of his
wife within his own. and then drawing
from his bosom a paper, he placed it in
her hand, remarking as he did so -
"Ltzzie, ttis is your husbands present
for .he ne,o year"
The wife took the paper and opened il.
She realizedits contents at a glance; but
she could notread il word for word, for
The streaming tears Of "a wild frantic 10y
would not let her. With quick, nerv-
BUS movement, she placed the priceless
pledge next her bosom; and then with
T,s.r Al Al n n