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

HlOAICaiInS OeNpTdRP, iOT dlTtduf hd' "'' !
face began 10 assume the stamp OF its Tor
mer manhood, and every word that he had
spoken had been kind and afectionate. To
his children be had brought new shoes and
warmer clothing, aud to herself he bad
given such things as she stood in immediate
need oil but yet with all this, he had been
Iaciturn and thoughtful, showing dislike
10 all questions, and only speaking such
words as were necessary. The poor, de-
voted, loving wife began to hope! And
why should she not. 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 wears. 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 mott
"Mothpr," said little Charles, Just as the
clock struck ten, seeming TO have awaken
ed from dreamy slumber, "snb this the
last night Of the old year"
ayes, my son."
"And do you know what I've been dream.
ing, dear mother? dreamed iha, father
had brought us New Years presents, as he
used 10 Blu, he WON'T will he! He's too |
poor now ~
"No, my dear boy, we shall have no Other
present than food and even for that we
must thank dear father. Then lay your
head in my lap again"
The boy laid his curly head once more in
his mother, lap, and with fearful eyes she
gazed upon his inocent form.
The clock struck eleven! The poor wife |
was We, on her tireles., sleepless watch
But hardly had the sound Of the last stroke I
died away ere the snow crust gave back the
sound of football, and in momen, more
her husband entered. With trembling fear
she raised her eyes TO his face, and wild
thrill oi JOY went 10 her heart as she saw all
there was open aud bold-only those manly
features looked more joyous, more proud
than ever.
"Lizzie,n said he, in mild, kind accent, 81
am late tonight, but business has detained
me, and now ask a favor OF thee"
"Name ii, dear Thomas, and yon shall not
ask second time,n cried the wife, as she
laid her hand confAedtly on her husbands
arm.
"And you will ask me no questions" con-
timed wilkins.
enc, will not"
"Then," continued the husband, as he
hop MI iTpD tpl x
wfe's brow, 81 want you 10 dress our chill
dreu for walk, and you shall accompany us
The niaht is calm and tranquil, end the snow
is well rodden. All! no question Remem-
Der your promise ~
Lizzie Wilkins knew not what ,h. all
meant. nor did she think. TO care; for any
thing tina, could please her husband she
would have done with pleasure, even though
It wrenched her very hear-slrings. In a short
time the two children were ready: then Mrs
wilkins put on such articles Of dress as she
could command, and snon they were in the
road The moon shone brightly, the STARS
reeped down npon the earlh, aud they seem
ed 10 smile upon the travellers from ont their
twiuklinc eyes Of light Silently wilkins
led he way, and silently his wife gazed up
OH her husbands countenauce; bnl from the
strange expression that rested there, she
could make out nothing that tended 10 satisfy
her.
At length slight turn the road brought
them suddenly upon the pretty white COT
iaGe, where, years before, they had been so
happy. They approached the spot. The
snow in the front yard had been shoveled
away, and path led up 10 the piazza. vii.
kins opened The gale-his wife trembliugly
her husband opened The door, and in The en-.
try they were met by the smiling conn,rnance
of old Capt. Walker, who ushered them in'c
the parlor, where a warm fire alowed in The
Crate, and every thing looked neat and com
Portable. Mrs. Wilkins turned her gaze upuI
the old man, and then upon her husband
Surely, in thai greeting between the Toor mar
and the itch, there was none Of that con
straint which would have been expected
They met rather as frends and neghbors
What could it mean?
, IIark The clock strikes twelve The OLE
year has gone, and new, brishi.winaer
cycle is about TO commence its flight owe
, the earth
, Thomas Wilkins took the hand of his wifi,
within his own, and then drawing from hi
bosom a paper, he placed ii in her hand, re
marking as he did so,
"Lizzie, this is your husbands present fo
the New Year !"
The wife took the paper and she openet
! it. She realised its contents at glance
but she could no, read it word for word, 10
The streaming tears of wild, frantic Joy won
not let her. With quick, nervous move
. men she placed The priceless pledge next /
!. her bosom; and then, with low murmur
i like the gentle whisper of some Heven. boun
angle, she fell halffain,ing into her husband
arms
a "Look up, look up, my own dear wife,
d uttered The redeemed man, "look up an
n smile upon your husband {; and yon too, m
IS children, gather about yonr ia,her-for