Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-01-27
,e, upon which You can have your Owl

gage, upon which you can have your owl
Time
Thomas wilkins tried to thank the old MAJ
for his kindness, but he only sank back into hi
chair and wept like child. and while he yet sa
with his face buried in his hands, the old maj
slipped from the room. And when he return
ed, he bore in his hands a neatly covered bas
Iket.
Come, come the captain exclaimed, 'chee
up my friend. Here are some bits for you
Iwife and chidren-take them home; and be
lieve me, Wilkins, if you feel half as happy j
receiving my favor as l do in bestowing it, yo
are happy indeed
God will bless you for this, SIR exclaime
the kindness-stricken man; 'and when betra
your confidence, may die on the instant !
Stick 10 your pledge, Wilkins said he, 'ar
| will take care of the rest, said the old cal
tain, as his friend TOOK the basket. Ifyou ha'
, time tomorrow, call on me and / will arrane
the papers.
As Thomas Wilkins. once more entered I'll
street, his step saeht and easy ."Sast-brigi
light of ioyousness shone in every feature; an
as he wendell his way homeward, he felt in eS
cry avenue Of his soul that he was a MAN!
The gloomy shades that ushered in the nigl
of the thirty-first Of December, had fallen owe
the snow. clad earth. Within the miserabl
dwelling of Mrs. Wilkins there was more
comfort than we found when we first yisite
her; but yet nothing had been added to the fu
niture of the place. For the last six days h,
. husband had comehome every evening, and gor
away before daylight every morning, and dI
ring that time she knew he had drank no intol
icating beverages for already had his face begI
E to assume the stamp of its former manhood, az
{ every word he had spoken had been kind al
afTeclionate. To his children he brought ne
shoes and warm clothing, and to herself he hi
given such things as she stood in immedia
Eneed or; but yet, with all this, he had been ia
Ijturn and thoughtful, showing a dislike of ;
: questions, and only speaking such words
were necessary. The poor, devoted, lovil
!: wife began to hope. And why should she no
: For six years her husband had not been TIN
> before. One week ago she dreaded his a
8 preach, but now she found herself waiting f
him with al the anxiety Of former years. Shou
9 all his be broken? Should this charm be swe
away? Eight o'clock came, and SO did nine al
3 ten, and yet her husband came not.
Mother said little Charles, just as the clio
strIlss iis 5e;ua;;rI;E &c haye awak ened fran
is dreamy slamber, is not this the last night of
yeaPsf
y 'Fes47my son.
tA1d do you know what have been drea
!, ing, dear motherp dreamed that father
% brought us New Years presents, just the sa
ID as he used to. But he won't, will he? II
too poor now
no, my dear boy, we shall have no oil
IpreseDt than food; and even for that we nj
thank dear father, There, lay your head in
lap again
The boy laid his curly head once more in 4
mothers lap, and with fearful eyes she gal
upon his innocent form.
The clock struck eleven! The poor u
n was yet on her tireless, sleepless watch
~ hardly had the sound Of the last stroke 4
a. away, ere the snow crust gave back the sol
"a of afootfall and in a moment more her husb|
|, 7 entered With trembling fear she raised
20 eyes TO his face, and wild thrill of joy VI
~ Ito her heart as she saw that all was open
~ bold-only those manly features looked NJ
nj Joyous, more proud than ever.