Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-01-22

embcrs that still smouldpred upon the
hearth. The only furniture were four poor
stools, rckety table, and scanty covered
bed while in one corner, nearest the fire.
place, was heap of straw and ta,terrd
blankets, which served as a resting place
for the brother and sister. Part oil talow
candle was burning upon the table, and by
its dim light one might have seen that
wr,tched mothers countpnance. il was
pale and wan, and wet with tears. The IA
ces of her children were both buried in her
lap, and they seemed TO sleep peacefully
under her prayerful guardianship.
AT length the sound of footsteps upon the
snow-crusi struck upon the mothers ears,
and hastily arousing her children, she hur-
ried them to their lowly bed, and hardly
had they cr1uched away beneath the thin
| blankets, when the door was opened, and
then whom we have already seen be-
fore that pretty cottage, entered the place.
With trembling, fearful look, the wife ga
zed up in her husbands face, and seemed rea-
dy to crouch back from his approach, when
the mark OF tear-drop upon bis cheek
caught her eve. Could it be, thought she,
that that pearly drop was in truth a tear
No-perhaps snowflake had fallen there
and melted.
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
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 10 his mannpr-Something unac-
countable. Surely be had not been drink
ing 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,
heavens is it possible "a smile played
about his mouth, and sound, as if OF pray
er, issued from his lips while yet he slept
A faint hope, like the misty vapour OF
approaching morn, fitted before his heart
broken wife. But she could not grasp it
she had no foundation for it; and with a
deep groan she Jet the phantom pass. She
went TO her children, and drew the clothes
more closely about them; then she knelt
by their side, and after imprinting upon
their cheeks mothers kiss, and uttering a
frrvent prayer in their behalf, she sought
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 him, but she dared not. She would
ho,, t,1l tbok .t~ HI T., 4
bread-not any thing with which to warm
and feed the children; but he was gone and
she sank back upon her pillow and wrpt.
The light Of morning came at length, bu
Mrs. wilkins had not risen from her bed
nor had her children crawled from out ,hei
resting place. A sound of footsteps wa
heard from without, accompanied by
noise, as though light sled were brin!
= dragged through the snow. The doc
opened, and her husband entered H Iait
upon the table heavy whraten loaf,
: small pail, and paper bundle; then from
his pocket he took another paper parcel an
again he turned towards the door. Whrl
next he entered tie bore in his arms oa
of wood and three times did he go and re
: turn with load of the same descriptions
n Then he bent over The Fireplace, and soo
n blazing fire snapped and sparkled on tn
. hearth. As soon as this was accomplished
h Thomas Wilkins bent over his children an
; kissed them; then he went to the bedsd
: OF his wife, and, while some powerful emo
1 ton stirred up his soul and made his ches
~ heavp, he nurmnred:
- "Kiss me, Lizzie"
! Tightly that wife wound her arms abou
,s the neck OF her husband, and, as thong
:. the love ot years were crntered in that on
, kiss, she pressed it upon her lips.
- "There-no more" he uttered, as h
:, gen,ley laid the arm OF his wife from h
neck these things have brought are ic
"a you and our children" and as he spoke h
= left the house.
IS, Mrs. wilkins arose from her bed, an
'i tremblingly she examined the articles upo
t: the table. She found the loaf, and in lh
o' pail she found milk, one of the papers cor
ie tained two small bundles one OF tea, an
is one OF sugar, while in the remaining pa
cells she found nice lump Of butter.
s, 90" murmured the poor wife and mc
p thrr, as she gazed upon the food lib,
VI spread OflOIt nfI, Nv HfNCt CdH" tntSt
ID Can it be that Thomas has stolen them
IN No, he neuer did that And then th
I'd look that kiss those kind sweet, swe,
er words o, my poor, poor heart, raj
H. not hope that may only fall and cru:
I'd thee 10
'ss "Moher," at this moment spoke h
ia son, who had raised himself upon his e
oil bow, sis our father gone :"
We "Yes, Charlrs."
~ 80, tell me, moiher-did he not con
'f and kiss me and little Abby this morning
lat "Yes, yes-he did," cried the mothe
On as she flew TO the side of her boy al
or wound her arms about him.
oy Sand MOTHER" said the child, in 10y
ou trembling accents, while he turned tea
!, tul look to his parents face, "will not
J 'her be good to us once more ?"
That mother could not speak-she cou
es. only press her children more fondly 10 b
his bosom, and weep a mothers tear upc
pm them.
be Was Lizzie wilkins happy as she sat b
children down to that morning meal!
l. L