Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-22

Another wretched change was in
the wife. Granted, Mary Acton had
not ever been the pink Of politeness,
the violet Of meekness, nor the rose ol
entire amiability; but il she were 9
scold. that scolding was well-meanti
and her irate energies were necessarily
directed towards cleanliness. economy
quiet, and other notabilia Of busy
housewife. She did her best to keep
| the hovel tidy, to mako the bravest
show with their scanty chattels, to ad-
minister discreetly the stores Of their
frugal larder, and 70 recompense the
good man returning from his hard
DAYS work, with much Of rude jov
and busting kindness. But now, after
the first stupor of amazement into
which the crock and its consequences
threw her, Poll Acton grew to be a
Fury; she ragged and stormed, as well
she might, ut filth and discomfort in
her home, at nauseous dregs and moi
some fumes, at the orgy still kept up,
day by day, and night by night, thro'
the length Of that first foul week,
which succeeded the fortunate discoy-
cry. And not in vain she ragged and
stormed--and fought too; for she did
fght--ay, and conquered; and miser-
able Roger, now in full possession Of
those joys which he had longed for at
the easement Of Hurstley Hall, was
glad to betake himself to the bench at
Bacchus' s, whittier he withdrew his
ragged regiment. Thus, that crock
had spoilt all there was to spoil in the
temper and conduct Of the wife.
Look also at the pretty prattling
babes, twin boys Of two years old,
whom Roger nsed 10 hasten home to
see; who had to say their simple pray
ers; to be kissed and comfortad, and
put to bed; to be made happier by q
wild flower picked up on his path, than
If the gift had been coral. with gold
bells; where were they now9 neglect
ed, dirty, fretting in a corner, their
red eyes full Of wonder at fathers al
tered ways, and their quick minds
watching, with astonished looks, the
the progress Of discord. How the
crock Of gold had nipped those early
blossoms as killing frostl
Again, there used te be, till this sad
week of wealth and riotous hilarity,
that constantly recurring blessing Of
the morn end evening prayer which
Roger read aloud, and Grace's psalm
or chapter; and afterwards the frugal
meal--too scanty. perhaps. and coarse
but still refreshing, thank the Lord,
and seasoned well with health, appetite,
and the heartfelt sense Of satisfaction
that oil around was earned by honest
labor; and there was content, and
hope Of better times, and Gods good
blessing over everything.
Now, all these pleasures had depart
ed; gold, unhallowed gold, gotten has
tily in the beginning, broadcast on the
rank, strong soil Of heart that COW
eted it earnestly, had sprung up as a
crop Of poisonous tares, and choked
the patch of wheat; gold, unhallowed
gold, light come, lightgone, had scared
or killed the flock Of unfiedged loves
that used to neptle in the cotter's thatch
as surely as if the cash were
stones. flung wantonly by truants at
a dove-cot; and forth from the crock,
that egg Of woe, had been hatched a
red-eyed vulture, to tyrannize in this
sad home, where but lately the pelican
had dwelt, and spread her fostering
wing. and poured out the wealth Of
her affections