Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-06-27

manner IN winch MS WIG conveyed un
pleasant information, as by the informa
ton itself, started up, under the bin
impulse Of the moment, and going to tn
room where John had been sent on com
ing home from school, punished the DO.
severely, and this, without listening t
the explanations which the poor chill
tried to mako him hear.
Father I'd the boy, with force
calmness, after the cruel stripes ha
ceased-"I wasf't, ter blame and
you will go with me't6F the teacher,
can prove myself innocent"
Mr.. Walcott had never Known his so
to tell an untruth and the words smot
with rebuke on his heart.
every wellnEe will see about that
-he answered, with forced sternness
and leaving the room he went dow
stairs, feeling much worse than whe.
he went up. Again he seated himsel
in his large chair, and again leaned bac
his weary head, and closed his heav,
eyelids. Sadder was his face than be
fore. AS he sat thus, his Oldest daugh
ter, in her sixteenth year, came an,
stood by him. She held paper in he
hand
"Father"-he opened his eyes.
''Here's my quarter bill. It's twent,
dollars. Can't 1 have the money to tax
to school with me in the morning ?"
''I'm afraid not''- t''-answered Mr.. Wal
colt, half sadly.
"Nearly all the girls will bring il
their money tomorrow and it mortiie
me to be behind the Others" Th
daughter spoke fretfully. Mr.. WalcOt
waved her aside with his hand, and sh,
went off muttering and pouting.
"It is notifying" spoke up Mrs
Walcott, little sharply" and I dom
wonder that Helen feels unpleasant,
about it. The bill has to be paid, ant
1 don't see why il may not be done a
well first as last"
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer
The words but added another pressur,
to the burden under which he was al
ready staggering. After a silence o
some moments, Mrs. Walcott said
"The coal is all gone"
Impossible ~ Mr.. Walcott raised
his head, and looked incredulous. "l
laid in sixteen TONS"
eel can't help it, if there were sixty
tons, instead of sixteen it's all gone
girls had time of it to-day, to scrapt
up enough to keep the fire going"
"There's been a shameful waste
somewhere" said Mr.. Walcott, with
strong emphasis, starting up, and NOV.
ing about the room, with very disturb
ed manner.
" So you always say, when anything
is out" answered Mrs. Walcott, rather
tardy. "The barrel of flour is gone
also; but 1 suppose you have done yom
part, with the rest, in using it up"
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair, and
again seating himself, leaned back hi:
head and closed his eyes, as at first
How sad, and weary, and hopeless he
felt. The burdens of the day had seem.
ed almost too heavy for him; but he
had borne up bravely. To gather
strength for renewed struggle with ad'
verse circumstances, he had come home
Alas that the process of exhaustion
should still go on. That where only
strength could be looked for, no strength
was given.
When the tea~bell rung, Mr.. Walcot
made no movement TO obey the sum,
mons.
Come to supper" said his wife
coldly.
But he did not stir.
" Amt you coming to supper ?" she
called to him, as she was leaving the
room.
81 don't wish anything this evening.
My head aches badly" he answered.
I'm the dumps again." muttered Mrs.
Walcott to herself. cts as much as
ones life is worth to ask for money, OF
to say that anything is wanled." And
she kept on her way to the dining.
room. When she returned, her hus-
band was still sitting where she had left
him.
Shall bring you cup of tea ?" she
asked.
" No; L don't wish anything"
what is the matter. Mr.. Walcott .
What do you look SO troubled about as
if you hadn't a friend in the world p
What have 1 done to you ?"
There was no answer, for there was
not shade of real sympathy in the voice
that made the queries-but rather a
querulous dissatisfaction. A few mo.
ments Mrs. Walcott stood near her bus.
band but as he did not seem inclined
to answer her questions, she turned off
from him, and resumed the employment
which had been interrupted by the ring
ing of the tea-bell.
The whole evening passed without the
occurrence of a single incident that gave
a healthful pulsation TO the sick heart of
Mr.. Walcott. No thoughtful kindness
was manifested by any member of the