The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-02-23
VINE are the HaDDicst.

. Aiken, IN tone Of concern to her hus-
band, who sat moody and silent with his
eyes now fixed upon the floor, and follow
ing the plainly clad children as they spor-
ted, full of health and spirits, around the
room.
1t was evening, and Mr.. Aiken a man
+ who earned his bread by the sweat of his
brow, had little while before returned
, from his daily labor.
Is anything wrong with you, William?'
Nothing more than usual was replied
There's always something wrong-thc
fact is, IN out of heart
'William!'
Mrs. Aiken came and stood beside her
husband, and laid her hand gently on his
shoulder.
The evil spirit of envy and discomfort
was in the poor mans hoart-this bis wife
understood right we'll She had often
before seen him in this frame Of mind.
Pm as good as Freeman, am I mott,
YES, and great deal better, l hope,
she replied
I 'And yet he is rolling in wealth, while
|, though compelled to toll early and late,
can scarcely keep soul and body together
Hush. William! don't talk so. 1t does
no good. We have a comfortable home,
with food and raiment-let us Herewith
be contented and thankful
Thankful for this mean hut. Thank
full for hard labor, poor fare and coarse
clothingr
None are so happy as those who have
the plainest food Do you ever 90 to bed
hungry, Williamr
No, Of course not
l. DO you or your children shiyer in the
winter for lack of warm clothingr
No, but
William, do not look past our real
comforts in envy Of the blessings God had
given to others
Give me plenty ofmoney, and III find
a way largely to increase the bounds of
enjoyment
The largest amount Of happiness, I be-
liege, is never to be found in that exter-
nal condition which God had given to
others
Then every man would willingly re-
main poor p
4 did not say that, William?' said Mrs.
Aiken; 4 think every man should seek to
better his worldly affairs-yet be content
ed with their lot at all times, for, only in
contentment is there happiness, and that
is blessing the poor may share equal
with the rich. Indeed believe the poor
have this blessing in large store. You,
for instance, are happier man than Mr.
Freeman
I'm not sure Of that
I am, then. Look at his face. Doesn't
that tell the story? Would you exchange
with him in every respect?
no, not in every respect. [ would like
to have his money
'Ah, William, Williamr Mrs Aiken
shook her head. you are giving place
in your heart for the entrance of bad spir-
its. Try to enjoy, fully, what you have,
and you will be a far happier man than
Mr.. Freeman. You can sleep sound at
night?
Il know A man that works as hard
as do can't help sleeping soundly'
'Then labor is blessing, if nothing
else. l took home to-day couple of a
prons made for Mrs. Freeman. She
looked pale and troubled, and | asked
her if she was not well?'
Not very she replied. I've lost so
much rest of late that | am nearly worn
out
Il did not ask her why this was so; but
after remaining in silence for few mo-
mcnts. she said
Mr. Freeman has got himself so excl
ted about business, that he sleeps scarcely
three hours in twenty-four; he cares nei-
thcr for eating or drinking; and, if did
not watch him, he would scarcely appear
in decent apparel. Hardly day passes
that something docs not 90 wrong. Wor-
kingmen fail in their contracts, prices fall
below what he expected them to be, agents
prove unfaithful: in fact, hundred things
occur to interfere with his expectations,
and to cloud his mind with disappoint-
meut. We were far happier when we
were poor, Mrs. Aiken. There was
time when we enjoyed life. had fewer
wants then than | ever expect to have on
this side of the>graye.
Just then cry was heard in the street
Fire! Fire Fire 7 The startling
sound arose clear and shrill upon the air.
Aiken spring to the window and threw
it open, then suddenly dropping it he hur-
redly left the house. 1t was an hour
ere he returned. Meanwhile the fire
burned furiously, and from her window
where she sat safe from harm Mrs. Aiken
saw the large factory = a new one,
which the rich man had just erected-en-
tircly consumed. Story after story was
wrapped in flames until at
length: over five thousand dailars worth
Of property lay heap of black and
smouldcring ruins.
Wet to the skin and covered with Gin