The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-01-05

and while he yet sat with his face buried
in his hands, the old man slipped from tho
ROOM And when he returned, he bore in
his hands neatly covered basket.
"Come, come," the captain exclaimed,
"eheer up, my friend. Here are some bits
for your wife and children-take them
home; and believe me, Wilkins, If you
feel half as happy in receiving my favor
as do in bestowing it, you are happy in.
deed"
"God wills bless you for this, sir" ex.
claimed the kindness stricken man; "and
when betray your confidence may die
on the instant!'
"Stick to your pledge, Wilkins, and
will take care of the rest" said the old
captain, as his friend took the basket. "If
you have time tomorrow, call on me, and
will arrange the papers"
As Thomas Wilkins once more entered
the streets his step was light and easy. A
bright light Of joyousness shoue in every
feature, and as he wended his way home
ward, he felt in every avenue of his soul
that he was a man!
The gloomy shades that ushsred in the
night Of the thirty.first Of December, had
fallen over the snow clad earth. Within
tho miserable dwelling of Mrs. Wilkins
there was more Of comfort than we found
when we first visited her; but yet nothing
had been added to the furniture of the
place. For the last six days her husband
had came home every evening, and gone
away before daylight every morning, and
during that time she knew he had drank
no intoxicating beverage, for already had
his face began to assume the stamp of its
former manhood, and every word he had
spoken had been kind and affectionate.
To his children he 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 thoughtful, showing dislike
of all questions, and only speaking such
words as were necessary. The poor, de.
voted, loving vile began to hope! And
why should she not? For six years her
husband had not been thus before. Ono
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 awaken.
ed from dreamy slumber, sis not this the
last night Of the year!"
"Yes, my SON.
Sand do you know what | have been
dreaming. dear motherl dreamed that
father had brought US New Years pres.
ents. Just the same as he used to. But he
won't, will he? He's too poor now''
mo, my dear boy, wo shall have no
other present 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, slsspless watch!
But hardly had the sound Of the last stroke
died away, ere the snow crust gave back
the sound of football, and in a moment
more her husband entered. With trem.
bling fear she raised her eyes to his face,
and wild thrill of joy went to her heart
as she saw that all was open and bold
only those manly features looked more
Joyous, more proud than ever.
Lizzie" said he, in mild, kind accents.
81 am late tonight, but business detained
me, and now have favor to ask of thee"
"Name it, dear Thomas, and you shall
not ask it second time" cried the wife,
as she laid her hand confdingly upon her
husbands arm.
"And you will ask me no questions!"
continued Wilkins.
mo, will not"
"Then," continued the husband, as he
bent over and imprinted kiss upon his
wife's brow, 81 want you to dress our chill
dren for walk, and you shall accompany
US. The night is calm and tranquil, and
the snow is we'll trodden. All! no ques.
tons! Remember your promise"
Lizzie Wilkins knew not what this all
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 command, and soon
they were in the road. The moon shone
bright, the stars peeped down upon the
earth, and they seemed to smile upon the
travellers from out their twinkling eyes Of
light. Silently Wilkins led the way, and
silently his wife and children followed.
Several times the wife looked up into her
husbands countenance, but from the
strange expression that rested there she
could make out nothing that tended to
satisfy her.
AT length, slight turn in the road
brought them suddenly upon the pretty
white cottage where, years before, they