Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-31

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, heavens, is it possible!
"a smile played about his mouth, and
sound, as if of prayer, issued from his
lips while yet he sleptl
A faint hope like the misty vapor of
approaching 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 left the phantom pass.
She went to her children, and drew the
clothes more closely about them; she then
knelt by their side, and, after imprinting
on their cheeks mothers kiss, uttered a
fervent prayer in their behalf, and sought
the repose of the pillow.
Long ere the morning dawned, Thorn
as 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 callsd to him, but she
dared not. She would have told him that
she had no fuel, no bread-not anything
with which to warm and feed the children;
but he was gone, and she sank back
unon her inflow and went.
The light of the morning came at length
but Mrs. Wilkins had not risen from out
her resting place. A sound of footsteps
was heard from without, accompanied by
noise, as though a light sled were being
dragged through the snow. The door
opened and the husband entered. He
laid upon the table heavy wheaton loaf,
a small pail, and paper bundle; then
from his pocket he took another paper
parcel, and again he turned toward the
door. When next he entered he bore
in his arms a load of wood; and three
times did he 60 out and return with load
of the same description; then bent over
the fireplace and soon blazing fire snap
ped and sparkled 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
stirred up in his soul and made his chest
heave, he murmured
"Kiss me Lizzie"
Tightly that wife wound her arms a.
bout the neck of her husband, and, as
though the love of years had centered in
that one kiss, she pressed it upon his lips.
"There-no more," he uttered, as ne
gently laid the arm of his wife from his
neck; these things / have brought you are
for you and our children; )" and as he
spoke he left the house.
Mrs. Wilkins arose from her bed, and
tremblingly she examined the articles up
on the table. She found the loaf, and in
the pail she found milk one of the pa
pers contained two smaller bundles-one
of tea and one of sugar;-while in the re-
mainig parcel she found a nice lump Of
butter.
60" murmured the poor wife and
mother, as she gazed upon the food thus
spread before her, "whence came these
Can it be that Thomas has stolen them
No, he never did that And then that
look-that kiss-those kind, sweet, sweet
words o, my poor, poor heart, raise
not hope that may only fail and crush
thee !"
+" Mother" at this moment spoke her
son, who had raised himself upon his ell
bow, "is our father gomez"
| eyes, Charles"
20, tell me, mother, did he not come and
kiss me and little Abby, this morning l''
" Yes, yes, he did |" cried the mother,
as she few to the side of her boy and wound
her arms about him.
/ And, mother" said the child, in low,
trembling accents, while he turned tear
full look to his parents face, "will not
father be good to us once more! I"
(, The mother could not speak-she could
only press her children more fondly to
her bosom, and weep mothers tear upon
them.
/ Was Lizzie Wilkins happy, as she sal
her children down to that mornings meal!
At least, a ray of sunshine was struggling
to gain entrance to her bosom.
/ Toward the middle of the afternoon
Mr.. Abel Walker, retired sea-captain
of. some wealth, sat in his comfortable
parlor, engaged in reading, when one o.
his servants Informed him that some one
at the door wished to see him.
| GGTalI hin, to comn in y returne4 Wal.