The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-05-26
S E L 6 C 7 E D
.Life'S SHnbeamS.
THE WORD OF PRAISE.
~ MRS. 5, P. DOUGHTY.

A little thing IS sunbeam-a very
little thing. II streams through oul
easement making the cheerful room
still more cheerful. and yet so accus
toned are we TO its presence, that We
notice it not. and heed act its. exhiia,
rating effect.
But It's absence would be quickly
seen and felt. The unfortunate pris-
oner in his diraly- lighted cell would
hail with rapture that blessed streaua
of light AVID the scarcely less impris.
uned inmates OF the more obscure
streets of cur crowded cities would
welcome it az messenger from Hear-
en-.
Itis even thus with the sunbeams Of
the human heart. Trifling things they
are in themselves. for the heart is won-
deffullv constituted, and il vibFates to
the slightest touch: bat without them
life is blank--all seems cold and lafe-
less rs the marble slab which marks
the spot where the departed loved one
lies. ~ A
A gloomy home was that of Henry
Howard. and yet all the elements oi
hnman happiness seemed TO be there.
Wealth sufficient 10 secure all the COM
forts and many of The luxufies of life.
was theirs. and both husband and wife
were regarded by their numerous ac-
dnainiances as exceedingly intelligent
aad estimable people-and so indeed
stseg were. The light tread Of child
hood was not wanting in their home,
although its merry laugh was seldom
heard, for the little children seemed TO
possess a gravity beyond their years,
;lHd that glad joyousness which it is so
delightful TO wituess IN infancy, was
with them seldom or never visible.
Life;s sunbeams seemed strangely
wanting. yet the Why saad wherefore
was 10 the casual observer au uufath-
.omable mystery.
Years before that wife and mother
had left the. home of her childhood a
happy and trusting bride. Scarcely
seventeen, the love of which she had
bestowed upon him who was now her
husband, was the first pure affections
of her yirgia heart, and in many re-
spects he was worthy of her love, and,
as far.as was in his nature, returned il.
Her senior BY mang years, he was pos
sessed of high moEal principles, good
intellectual sndowments, and an un-
iblemished reputatieR among his fellow
men.
But there was cold, repaasiNe man.
ner, at variance sometimes with his
more interior feelings, which could i'll
meet the warm, affectionate DISPOSE.
sion of his young wife, who, cherished
and petted in her fathers house, booked
for the same fond endeasments from
him to whom she had givea all.
Proud of her beauty and intelligence,
charmed with her sprightliness and
wit, the man was for o time lost in the
lover, and enough Of fondness and af-
fection were manifested to satisfy the
con6ding Mary, who had invested her
earthly idol with every attribute of per-
fection. But as mouths passed on, aud
he again became immersed in his busi-
ness, his true character, or more prop
erly speaking, bis habiiual manners
were again resumed, and the heat of
she wife was often panied by an ap-
W%6t&uIc VI GUlduS0S auu AbutASi6uC0,
which seemed to chill and Fepulse the
best affections Of her nature.
Tears aud Remembrance were useless,
Tor the husband was himself unaware
Of The change. Was not every con-
fort amply provided, every request
complied whit What more could any
reasonable woman desire?
Alasl he knew but little of wo.
'man's heart; of that fountain of love
which is perpeleally gushing forth To-
wards him who first caused is waters
10 Cow, and still less did he know of
thsefearful effect of the constant re..
pressing OF each warm affection. He
dsezmsd nosthat tbs loving heart could
become cold and dead, and that bis
own icy nature would soon be reflected
ID the devoted being Who now olnng to
him 80 fohdly,
Il was but 10 little things that ne
was deficient, mere tfii1es, bnt still
they constituted the happiness or woe
Of The wife Of his bosom.