Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-12-18
"Whats the mat.er!" inquired bis

ed Mr.. Winklemsn, coldly, "anythinl
will do for me-"
"James !" There was q touching
sadness blended with the rebuke in the
tones Of his wifs, and as she uttered hi.
name tears gushed over her cheeks.
Mr.. Winkleman didn't like tears
They always annoyed him. At the
present time he was in no mood to besl
with them. So on the impulse of the
moment he rose from the table, and Ia.
king up his hat he left the house.
Selfjustifcalion was tried, though no.
as has been seen, with complete sue cess
The calmer grew the mind Of Mr.. Win
kleman, and the clearer his thought.
the less satisfied did he feel with tht
part he had taken in the mornings dre'
ma. BY an inversion Of thought, no
usual among men Of his temperament
he had been presented with a vivid re-
alization Of his wifes side OF the ques
ton. The consequence was, that BY
dinner time, he felt a good deal asham
ed Of himself, and grievcd for the pair
he knew his hasly words had occasion
ed.
1t was in this better state OF mind tha
Mr. Winkleman returned home. TIL,
house seemed still as he entered. Al
he proceeded up stairs, he heard the
children's voices, pitched to low key
in the nursery. He then listend, bu
could not hear the tones of his wife,
So he passed into the chamber which
was darkened. As soon as he could
see clearly in the feeble light, he per
ceived that his wife was lying on tht
bed--her eyes were closed, and her thir
face looked so pale end like, tha
Mr.. Winkleman felt a cold shudde
creep through his heart. Coming up tc
the bedside he leaned over and lookef
down upon her. AT frs, he was in doub
whether she really breathed or not ano
he felt heavy weight removed when h,
saw that her chest rose and fell in feeble
respiration.
"Mary!" he spoke in low tender
voice.
Instantly the fringed eyelids parted
and Mrs. Winkleman gazed up into he
husbands face in partial bewilderment
Obeying the moments impulse, Mr.
Winkleman bent down and left a kis,
upon her pale lips. As moved by ar
electric thrill. the wife's arms were fun!
around her husbands neck.
81 am sorry to find you so ILL.," said
Mr.. Winkleman in voice oil sympathy
"What is the matter?"
"Only sick headache" replied Mrs
Winkleman. "But I've had a gooc
sleep, and feel better now, didn't know
it was so late" she added, her tone
slightly changed, and look of concern
coming into her countenance. "I'm
afraid your dinner is not ready" ant
she attempted to rise. But her husband
bore her gently back with his hand say
ing:
"Never mind about dinner. It vii
come in good time. If you are better
much pain :"
eyes" The word did not pass hel
lips sadly, but it came with softly
wreahed smile. Already the hue Of hel
cheeks was giving place 10 a warmer
tint, and the dull eyes brightening.-
What healing power was in his tender
tones and considerate words. All tina
kiss-t had thrilled along every nerve
1t had been as nectar 10 the droopin!
spirit. 81 feel so much better that
will get up" she added, now rising from
her pillow.
And Mrs. Winkleman was entirely
free from pain. As she stepped upon
the carpet and moved across the room
it was with a firm tread. Every muscl,
was elastic, and the blood leaped alon,
her veins with new and and healthier
impulse.
No trial Of Mr.. Winkleman's patienc.
in late dinner was in store for him.
In a few minutes the bell sumlno oned thu
family and he took his place at th'
table so tranquil in mind, that he al
most wondered at the change in his feel
ings. How different was the scene from
that presented at The morning meal
And there was power in a few simple
words to effect so great change as this
Yes, in simple words fragrant with tht
odors Of kindness. IL.
a few CLEANS Of light shone into tn,
mind Of Mr.. Winklemau, as he return
ed musing to bis Office, and he saw tina
he was often over the sky of home.
Mary is foolish, he said in partial self
justification, to take my words to heart
! speak often without meaning half wha
lsay. She ought TO know me BETTER
And yet he added as his step becam,
slower, for he was thinking more closely
than usual, it may be easier for me L
choose my words carefully, and repres'
the unkindnsss Of tone that gives mo ,
double force, than for her to help feslini
pain at their utterance.'
Right. Mr. Winkleman! That is th,
common sense Of the whole matte.
10 easier not to strike, than to help feel
ing, OF showing signs Of pain, under III
infiction Of . blow. Look wsll 10 you
| words, oil ysmsmbefs Of home circle
And especially look we'll to your word
70 whose words have most weight, an,
fall, when desit in passion, with th,
heaviest force. ''s'