The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-12-12
EVANSVILLE, ND WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER
CBt 9ailg yournal,
lFroia Authors Home asgasine.i
The Two Homes.
lCOSCLUDED. !

lcoNcLUDEDl
"Shall bring youa cup of tea?o she asked
"No; don't wish anything"
'W hats the matter. Mr.. Walcott? What
do you look so troubled about, as if YOU had
not friend in the world? What have done
to you?"
There was no answer, for there was not a
shade of real sympathy in the voice that
made the qnerTies-but rather quefulous
dissatisfaction. few moments Mrs. Wall
colt stood near her husband; but as he did not
seem inclined to answer her questions, she
turned off from him and resumed the en-
IpIoyment which she had been interrupted by
the ringing of the tea bell.
The whole evenig passed without the oc-
Icurrence of single incident that gave
healthful pulsation to the sick heart of Mr..
Walcott. No thoughtful kindness was mana
tested by any member Of the family; but on
the contrary, a narrow regard for self, and
looking to him only to supply the means of
disqualification. 4e l1q1's
No wonder, from the pressure which was
ion him, that Mr. Walcott felt utterly diseour-
Jagged He retired early, and sought to find
that relief from mental disquietude, in sleep,
which he had vainly hoped for in the bosom
broken ssumber, and disturbing Dreams
From the cheerless morning meal, at which
he was reminded OF the quarter bill that must
be paid, Of the coal and -four that were out
and of the necessity. of supplying Mrs. Wal
Icott's emty purse, he went forth to meet the
difficulties of another day, faint at heart, and
almost hopeless of success. "A confident
Esprit sustained by home affections, would
have carried him through; but unsupported
as he was, the burden was too heavy for him,
and he sunk under it. The day that opened
so unpropiteously closed upon him a ruined
mani -4 SO e 1Ase-a saE
Let us look for ferr moments, upon Mr..
Freeman, the friend and neighbor of Mr..
Wa!cott. He, also, had come home weary,
ldispirted, and almost sick. The trials of the
day had been unusually severe; and when he
looked anxlously forward to scan the future,
not even gleam of light was seen along the
black horizon. eas rsg.8 a4f+ 55t51.3f IL
AS he stepped across the threshold of his
dwelling, pang shot through his heart, for
the thought came, "How slight the present
hold upon all these comforts" Not for himself
but for his wife and children, was the pain.
Fathers come!' cried a glad little voice on
the stairs, the moment his football sounded in
the passage; then quick pattering feet We're
heard-and then a tiny form was springing
into his arms. Before reaching the sitting
room above, Alice, the oldest daughter, was by
| his side, her arm drawn fondly within his, and
her loving eyes lifted to his face.
"Are you not late, dear?" 1t was the gentle
voice of Mrs. Freeman. a't
| Mr. Freeman could not trust himself to an
swer. As he was too deeply troubled in spiritto
assume at the moment, a cheerful tone and he
| had no wish to sadden the heart that loved
him, by letting the depression from which he
was suffeing become too clearly apparent.
| But the eyes of Mrs Freeman saw quickly be-
low the surface.
Are younot well, Robert?" she inquired,
tenderly as she drew his large arm chair towards
the center ofthe room. --..-.
IA little headache" he answered, with slight
evasion.
Scarcely was Mrs Freeman seated, ere a
pair of little hands were busy with each foot,
removing gaiter and shoe and supplying their
place with a soft slipper. There was not one
| in the household who did not feel happier for
| his return, nor one who did not seek to rem
der him some kind Office 1t was impossible
under such burst of heart sunshine, for the
spirit OF Mr.. Freeman long to remain shrouded.
Almost impreceptibly to himself gloomy
thoughts gave place to more cheerful on IS, and
| by the time tea was ready, he had half forgot
ten the fears which had SO haunted him through
the day. But they could not be held back
altogether, and their existence was marked,
during the evening, by an unusual silence and
abstraction of mind. This was observed by
Mrs Freeman, who more than half suspected the
cause, kept back from her husband the knowl-
| edge of certain matters about which she had
intended to speak with him-for she feared
they would add to his mental disquietude.-
| n Al rIa
thing he said the real cause of his changed as
|pect. At once her thoughts commenced rum
ming in a new channel. BY few leading re-
marks, she drew her husband into converse
Ition on the subject of home expenses, and the
lpropriety Of restriction at various points
Many things were mutually pronounced SUI
lperhuous, and easily to be dispensed with;
land before sleep fell soothingly on the heavy
Ieyelids of Mr. Freeman that night, an entire
: change in their style of living had been deter
mined upon; a change that would reduce theil
lexpenses at least one-half
III see light ahead" was the hopeful word:
Iof Mr. Freeman as he resigned himself tt
Islumber 81 g. ~ 5J
With renewed strength Of mind and body
and confident spirit, he went forth the mex
lday-a day that he had looked forward Il
with fear and trembling. And it was onl,
through this renewed strength and confiden
spirit, that he was able to overcome the diff
Iculties that loomed up mountain high, befor
him. Weak dependency would have RUNE
Iall. Home had proved his tower Of strengt
his walled city. 1t had been to him as tn
. shadow of great rock in weary land
: strengthened for the conflict, he had gon
forth again into the world, and conquered il
the struggle. ~ :
"I see light ahead"-gave place to "Th
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