Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-07

Mrs. Wacotps empty purse, he went forth
to meet the difficulties of another day. A
confident spirit, sustained by home affections
would have carried him through; but unsup.
ported as he was, the burden was too heavy
for him and lie sunk under it. The day that
opened thns unpropitiously, closed upon him
a ruined man!
| Let us look in, for a few moments, upon
Mr.. Freeman, the friend and neghbor of Mr..
| Wacott. He, also had come home, weary,
| dispirted and almost sick. The trials Of the
day had been unusually severe; and when
he looked anxiousy forward to scan the
future, not even CLEAN Of light was seen
along the black horizon.
| AS he stepped across the threshold OF his
dwelling, pang shot through his heart; for
the thought came. "IIow slight the present
hold upon all those comforts" Not for him
self, but for his wife and children, was the
pain.
Fathers GOMEZ" cried glad little voice
| on the Stairs, the moment his football SCUM
ded in the passage, then quick pattering feet
were heard-und then a tiny fom was
springing into his arms. Before reaching
the setting room above, Alice the Oldest
daughter, was by his side, her arm drawn
fondly within his, and hei loving eyes lifted
| to his face.
care you not late, aear!" 1t was the gen.
tie voice of Mrs. Freeman.
| Mr.. Freeman could not trust himself to
answer. He was too deeply troubled in
spirit to assume at the moment, a cheerful
tone, and he had no wish to sudden the hearts
that loved him by letting the depression from
which he was suffering, become too clearly
apparent. But the eyes of Mrs. Freeman
saw quickly below the surface.
care you not well, Robelt!" she enqured
tenderly, as she drew his large arm chair
towards the centre of the room.
ga little head-ache"--he answered with
slight evasion.
Scarcely was Freeman seated, ere a pair
of little hands were busy with each foot, re-
moving gater and shoe, and supplying their
place with soft slipper. There was not one
in the household who did not feel hepper for
! his return, nor one who did not. seek to rem
der him some kind office.
Itwas impossible under such burst o
he art-sunshine, for the spirit of Mr.. Free
man long to remain shrouded. Almest i'm
preceptibly to himself, gloomy thoughts gave
place to more cheerful ones, and by the tim,
tea was Ieady, he had alfforgo'ten the fear
which had SO haunted him through The day
But they could not be held back altogether
and her existence was marked, during the
evening, by an unusual silence and abstrac
tiOn Of mind. This was observed by Mrs
Freeman, who more than half suspecting lh
cause, kept back from her husband th
knowledge of certain matters about whc
she had intended to speak with him--for sh
feared they would add to his mptal disquie
ude. During the evening, she CLEANED from
something he said, the real cause of hi
changed aspect. At once her thoughts com
menced running in a new channel, BY
few leading remarks, she drew her HUSBAND
into conversation on the subject of home eX
penses, and the propriety of restriction a
various points. Many things were mutual.
pronounced supertluous, and easily to b.
!, dispensed. with and before sleep fell soothing
ly OH the heavy eyelids of Mr.. Freeman, tina
night, an entire change in their style of liv
ing had been determined upon-a chang
that Moud reduce their expenses at leuS
one half.
81 see light ahead, were the hopeful word
Of Mr.. Freeman, as he resigned himself tt
slumber.
With renewed strength of mind and body
and confident spirit, he went forth on th
next day.-a day that he had looked forwar
to with fear and trembling. And it wa
ONLY through the renewed strength and con
fident spirit. that he was able to overcom
the difficulties that loolned up, mounta
high, before him. Weak dispondency woul
have ruined all. Home had proved hi
tower of strength-his walled city. 1t ha
been to him as the shadow of great roc
=, in weary land. Strengthened for the cor
hict, he had gone forth again into the work
and conquered in the struggle:
81 see light ahead''--gave place to eth
morning breaketh."