Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-12

absent-to give your aid and countenance to
such things
/ AL this was said in sur'y tone Mary,
the light hearted, loving, true and gentle
Mary, who had been at home four weeks, as
merry as bird over her summer nest-ne-
glecting no duty and firing Of no care -cbo-
ked up little; but though the tears swelled
up to her eyelids. the smile could not leave
her brow; and love whispered in Der ear
HE is weary and sleepy, and was disappoin-
ted that you we're not at home to welcome
him when be came So she looked straight
into the door of the little parlor stove, upon
the glowing Goals there, turning into dead
ashes, and thought how much like the warm.
earnest love of her OWE heart they were just
at that moment; love that had been warm
ing whole roomful all the evening; love
chat bad been sparkling ard radiating till all
about her was warmth and light, and now
likely to be turned suddenly into ashes be-
cause the husband chose to put it out, in
stead Of adding fresh fuel to warm and cheer
bis own cold sosl
But Mary was sensible little woman, so
she looked straight into the stove door, patted
the toe Of her pretty gaiter on the soft rug,
turned her marriage ring round and round on
her finger, but never said word.
Edward Belle looked straight into the stove
door too, wishing in bis heart that he had not
been such petulent fool as to bluff off bis
beautiful. loving wife, for no earthly reason,
only that be had got home one day sooner
than he promised. and found her out at do
nation party. But hang it all thought be
to himself, how shall get out Of the scrapc":
Thus thinking. thus feeling, they both look
ed into the stove door for FIVE minutes.
This won't do thought he. i must
come round somehow and he drew his fin
ger euds through his whiskers, and looked a
whole minute longer; then clearing bis
throat. began in softcned tone: IL don't
know but am almost too savage on your do
nation parties, Mary; but it has always
seemed to me that if people must have
Minister. they ought to pay him, and pay
him WELL without grudging and grumbling,
and not levy tax upon the whole commune
ty to relieve them of their own burdens; and
|
| if they can't psy, checrfnlly swn to the pow
erty and let him 20. May be / am wrong in
my estimate but have guessed three times
suppose you tell me now where you have
given your donation party to- night, that has
set my heart to futtering so joyfully'"
And Edward, who was, after all. very
fond husband, drew her hand into his, and
looked up with clear brow for her answer.
How easily the heart comes round to the
true place, when we once resolve to do right,
and to drive away the mist of i'll -hunor that
hangs over the spirit, by breath of love and
kindness. Mary replied without seeming to
remember that she had once been repulscd.
You know, Edward how many times we
have talked about the good Mrs. Brown
After raising great family Of her own, aud
struggling through all sorts of sorrow. sick
ness and trial. to be left widow, dependent
wholly upon her own hands, would have SEEM
ed sad destiny; but in their old age, to be
compelled to raise second family, to tase
the babes Of her daughter and rear them in
her arms. to become the second mother Of all
those orphans seemed hard fate. and so We,
few of us you know, q don't know who
hardly said let us Civ. the widow Brown a
donation party. and all said agreed and to
work we went Every one we met said.
Yes She nursed my wife when she was
sick said Mr.. Scott she took good care of
my little Henry when he had his arm bro
ken, said Mr.. Jones; Mother Brown to be
sure Ii! help, responded Judge Fry, she has
put the first slip on my children, God bless
her, dear grandmother Brown. III do all
can. said the fashionable Mrs Grey; she
was with my little Nettie, and laid her dear
little form in the coffin ! help her. yes-hy
hockey said the rough butcher Eopkin. She
ought to be supported by the public. aud new
er know want, for poor widow as she has
been for fifteen years, she has never let any,
body want that she could help. and I've known
her many a time, when she was earning her
bread with her needle, alta quarter day. and
board herself-drop all and go and nurse two
or three days at time, with them that was
too poor to help her mite, and now she has
then children to care for BY hockey, I'll
| give in my donation with free hand -
And SO it went; every lady willing 20
help the widow in Der need, and We got up
the donation party for the widow for our
Thanksgiving night, and oh how glad our
hearts have been made, in making the wild.
ows cup to overflow with joy-in returning
/ a. l. n Al L.. -. -