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

when first We visited her, but yet nothing
had been added to the furniture of the
place. For the last six days, her husband
had come home every evening, and gone
away before daylight every morning, ,and,
during that time, she knew that he had
not drank any intoxicating beverage, for
already had his face begun to assume the
stamp of its former manhood, and every
word that he had spoken had been kind
and affectionate. To his children he had
brought new shoes and warm clothing, and
to herself he had given such things as she
stood in immediate need of; but yet, with
all this, he had been taciturn and thought
full, showing dislike to all questions, and
only speaking such words as were neces-
sary. The poor, devoted, loving wife be-
gan to hope. And why should she notl
For six years her husband had not been
thus before. One week ago she dreaded
his approach; but now she found herself
waiting for him with all the anxiety of
former years. Should all this be broken;
should this new charm be swept away?-
Eight o'clock came, and so did nine and
ten, and yet her husband came not.
Mother, said little Charles, just as the
clock struck ten, seeming to have awak-
ened from dreary slumber, isn't this
the last night of the old year!'
Yes, my son.
sAnd do you know what I've been
dreaming, dear mother? Idreamed that
father had brought US New Years pres
ents, just the same as he used to. But
be won't, will he? He's too poor now!'
No, my dear boy, we shall have no
other presents than food and even for
that we must thank dear father. There,
lay your head 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 watch! But
hardly had the sound of the last stroke
died away, ere the snow crust gave back
the sound of football, and in moment
more her husband entered. With a
trembling fear she raised her eyes to his
face, and wild thrill of joy went to
her heart, as she saw that all there was
open and bold---only those manly feat
ures looked more joyous, more pround
than ever.
,Lizzie;' said he, in mild, kind accents,
Il am late tonight, but business has de-
tanned me; and now [ have favor to
ask ofthee.'
Name it, dear Thomas, and you shall
not ask second time, cried the wife, as
she laid her hand confidently upon her
husbands arm.
! and you will ask me no questiOns?
NO, Will not
'Then,' continued the husband, as he
bent over and imprinted kiss upon his
wife's brow. Il want you to dress our
children for a walk, and you shall accom-
pany US. The night is calm and tran
quill, and the snow is well trodden---
But
'Ah, no questions! Remember your
promise
. Lizzie Wilkins knew not what all this
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 wrenched her very heart
strings. In short time the two children
, were ready; then Mrs. Wilkins put on
: such articles of dress as she could com.
. mand, and soon they were in the road
) Themoo shone brightly, the stars peeped
| down upon the earth, and they seemed
to smile upon the travellers from out theil
twinkling eyes of light Silently Will
kins led his way, and silently his wife
and children followed Several time;
J the wife gazed up into her husbands face
but, from the strange expression that
: rested, she could make out nothing thai
tended to satisfy her.
At length, 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 shovelled away, and path led
up to the piazza. Wilkins opened the
} gate-his wife, trembling, followed, but
wherefore, she knew not. Then her hus.
band opened the door, and in the entry
they were met by the smiling countenance
of old Captain Walker, who ushered
) them into the parlor, where warm fire
, glowed in the CRATE, and where every.
thing looked neat and comfortable. Mrs
r Wilkins turned her gaze first on the old
man, aud then upon her husband. Sure.
ly, in that greeting between the poor mar
and the rich, there was none of that con.
!; straint which would have been expected
They met rather as friends and neigh.
bors What could it mean?
Hark! the clock strikes twelve. The
old year is gone; new, bright-winged
: cycle is about to commence its flight over
the earth
Thomas Wilkins took the hand of hi:
Hrifa MI hhin hiS nurn and thnn Arnrr;r ,,