The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-01-19
sTROUDsBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA. JANUARY 10,

49, ANA ShN hNP
her firls went out and she had them boil
to kindle, and then to wait till the waite
should heat ere the mornings work shoult
, begin. Hasten as she did, church wa
out ere it was half done, and to finish, al
she said, ber trouble, two friends returned
, with her husband.
!; Very dear friends they were to be sure
and at another time glad enough would
she have been to see them, but then-oh
she wished them further! She was O.
bliged to suspend her labores and comt
her hair and change her dress ere she
could give the greet ing, and then only g
moment could she tarry, for dinner must
be prepared, and as there was company
everything must be in perfect order. Il
was nice, it was excellent, but somehow
no one enjoyed it. The guests felt in
stinctively that they had intruded. Mr.
Grey, knowing the condition of affairs
was i'll at ease, while his wife but all
women similarly situated will guess her
feelings, and no one can describe them
There was no time after the repast to clear
the table and dress the younger children, SC
leaving both in the care of Julia, she sol
out for church, not to worship, for she was
in no frame of mind to do that, but to per-
form Sabbath day duty. We will pass
over the doing the work on her return,
the getting tea, and putting children,
(cross, not because they in the least want
ed to be, but because they could not help
it) into their beds, and see her enter the
sitting room at eight o'clock, throw her
self on lounge and hear her exclaim, 81
am tired to death"
81 don't wonder at it, wife," said her
husband, compassionately, two hours of
quiet with his fire and books having re-
sstored his good humor, somewhat, it must
be confessed, out of the way of the annoy
ances of the day. "I was sorry to bring
those folks to dinner, but l could not
avoid it without being very rude"
"Neyer mind that-if | had things as
they should have been, it would have
been well enough, but somehow nothing
goes right anymore on Sunday, l actu-
I dil UtGdu W nave III COLuc'
But it was not always so, wife. Don't
you remember how happy you used to be
when we were first married! All. it was
a halcyon day then!''
| ayes, [ remember it WE'LL" she mur-
INJURED, and leaning her head on her hand
she grew thoughtful, Memory held up
beautious pictures to her: the happy Sun
days of child and girlhood, and of early
married life were lived over again, and
indeed it was a golden age.
! Then in the vile contrast came up the
Sundays of the last two or three years,
and then spake conscience in a terrible
voice, and uttered the cause; and tears hot
and many rolled down her cheeks.-The
only day of the week which her husband
could spend with his family was despoiled
comfort by herself; she was bringing her Of
children up to dread and hate even the
day sacred to worship and homes purest
joy; she was learning herself to look up
on it as a day of trial, day of toll
and why? Because mostly of "little
more sleep and little more slumber."
No words passed between husband and
wife till they rose to retire. Then taking
her hand he said, half seriously, half jo-
cosely, Suppose, Julia, we turn over a
new leaf. This is the last Sunday in the
year. Shall we begin anew and right on
the first of the next!"
"Well try" was the brief answer, in a
voice choked with emotion.
And she did try! Let us see the result
1t is a beauteous Sunday morning, a
smile upon heaven and earth, and smile
on the countenance of each member oil
the family, as they gather at halfpast scv
en- around the neat breakfast table, GOV
cred with cloth rivalling the snow il
whiteness, and set with Shaker like pre-
cision. And the yiands, not costly are
they, and yet'a king might relish them
steaks broiled to turn, potatoes bursting
into flakes, coffee clear as rare old wine
and-pancakes as light as feather.
And what beautiful group, discus:
the meal, father in his Sunday suit, il
the best of humor, mother in neat morn
ing dress, every braid in place, and chill
dren with plated and curled tresses, and
white foreheads open to view, and all il
church dress too-ab, it is home picture
beautiful to the eye and cheering to th'
heart.
The day was well begun and half the
race was run. Everything went easy fo
there was plenty of time and every on'
was good natured in the use of it. The
mother did get out in the morning, anC
had the pleasure of listening to an emf
nent preacher she had long yearned t.
hear, but enjoyed the devotions with g
heart in its right place. The old friend;
long absent from the place, were met, ant
cordially invited home, and to seat be
side her table, spread ere she had left fo
church. The tea table was joyous pl act
and the time spent in the sitting room
with husband and little ones, was in trutl
as foretaste of heaven, while the quie
evening was full of bliss. "My cupis full
was her language as she pressed her pill
low, ''this has been indeed a blessed day
| thank God lie gave me strength of vii
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