The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-17

trees and shrubs, and beautiful flowers
why, it seems to me these things must tenG
to make home pleasant" ma9' fN3a
"You. are right, Mrs. Cove, we feel thai
by cultivating taste for the beautiful in
nature. we improve the character and
soften the heart" f1 Siloa
s"l know you are right, and not for my
sake, but on Billy's account, wish could
make Mr.. Cove think as we do. But per.
haPs do wrong to speak in this way, for
Mr.. Cove has more care now than any
one man ought to have, and | know that
he has no time for anything but barely to
take care of what he has, without making
any Improvements. But | am in hopes
when William grows up, that he will get
time to set out trees, and make our home
pleasant. for more ardent lover Of ma.
ture surely never saw.'' oss
"Mrs. Cove, of course your husband
knows his own business, but I've often
thought that it would be for your interest
all round, if your husband had less land
to care for. mean. il he would sell some,
it would certainly lessen his care as well
as your own"
Perhaps so but really, Mr.. Cove doesn t
think it looks just right for man to part
with property which has been handed
down from father to son, until it is now in
the fourth generation. IT'S true. have
a good deal Of care, and must work hard,
but have no reason to complain, though
'twould be very nice, what little time have
to sew, TO sit in such cool, delightful
place as this. Perhaps Pm wrong, and
think too much Of these things"
Mrs. Cove was returning from the visit
to her neighbor, which they had mutually
enjoyed, when pat on the shoulder caus.
ed her to exclaim, "Are you tired, Blly?"
as she gazed earnestly at that pale face,
and sought to read the language Of those
dark and handsome eyes. care you
tired, my dearr
"Yes. mother; O, am very tired; for
don't you think, after had helped father
as long as he had anything for me TO do.
| went into that pretty grove where sis and
| played the week before she died, and
there. right by little messy bank, was
little larch tree, and MOTHER wanted
very much to dig it up and bring it home,
and set it out by your bedroom window
am sure, mother. it would look beautiful
ly there. and then should never see it
without thinking Of little Alice"
"Did your father take it up for you1"
said Mrs. Cove, as she strove to force back
the tears that would come.
"No. mother; took the spade and tried;
I dug all round it, but couldn't start it
bit. when tried to pull it up. and then
asked father If he would let Mike take it
up for me. You know, mother, that Mike
is good hand, for he helped take up and
set out all Mr.. Norton's trees"
"And what did your father say, my
dear?"
"He said. "don't be so foolish. child
we have no time to fool away" or some.
thing Of that kind. wish had strength
to pull it up; but don't know as father
would let me set it out. Do you think it
is foolish, mother!"
"My dear child, your father has great
deal of care and anxiety, and you heard
him say this morning, when the man called
to tell him his fence all lay fiat. and every.
body's cattle were in. that his work was
driving him continually; so perhaps father
thought 'twoud be wrong TO spend the time
that is now so precious to us. in doing
what we could get along without doing"
swell, mother, does father take much
comfort2 He is always behindhand, and
ho never finishes all the jobs he begins.
Why, don'ty you know last summer we had
so much to do that we did not get time to
hoe that piece Of corn between the woods.
and | heard father say myself, that it did
not begin 10 pay for the blowing. And
mother. you know heard it talked over
al the store, how father had to pay for that
strip Of land he bought of Mr.. Chase,
twice, because he did not ettime 10 make
the deed, and Mr.. Chase died before
twas done. When hear people say to
father "you are the riehest man in town."
or aye. vwntne most land" why, Il think,
we'll, don't see as father is any happier
than the neighbors, that haven't half as
much. Why, | heard father say to-day,
that he. was harrassed to DEATH"
The night after the above conversation,
as Billy was quietly sleeping, and Mr..
Cove sat with his arms folded, and his
ayes resting on hewall, Mrs. Cove asked
her husband, in rather timid tone, if he
had noticed how fully Mr.. Norton's fruit
trees had blown. ''5a' s tslHi
d "Well, believe | saw them. or heard
some one speak Of il. But | am tired."
"Yes. ! think you must be. you've work.
ed hard all day"
II have worked like dog, and what
does 1t amount TOT"
"Do you think" said his wife. soon
sidering we have to work so hard and
hire SO much help, that il is for your inter.
est to keep all the land?"
X "Think-I don't think anything about