Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-30
oocasioned by the little interview ius,

worn before reaching nome. hungry,
too, he was, and quite ready for . COM
Portable evening meal.
at can't be seven o'clock, Henry"
said his wife; and she seemed slightly
worried. T ID. 90.
4" Yes and ten minutes past" answer
| ed Peterkin, and he sat down with an
exhausted air, and commenced tanning
himself with the broad brim Of bis Pana-
ma, which he still held in his hand
What trying day it has been ~ be
remarked. The hottest of the season."
I" Get your father cool drink of ws-
ter, Anna" said Mrs. Peterkin to their
little daughter, as soon as she perceived
how weary and heated her husband was.
The glass of water was Quickly
brought, for love in thst household was
ever prompt in action.
Thank you, DEAR" said the father
with smile as he received the water.
"Ah that is refreshing" be added, rs he
took the glass from his lips. II feel q
hundred per cent better already: Hang
up my hat Carry. How's the baby7
She was not well when l left this morn.
ing"
Poor little dear She's been fretfuI
all day." replied Mrs. Peterskin. "It
has been so warm: and I think she's
cutting tooth. I've had her in INV
arms the whole afternoon. Hush, There,
she is awake again. l was in hopes she
would rest the evening through. Oh,
ar, I'm quite worn out Carry, 20
up to your sister, and try to amuse her,
while / see about supper. This new
girl ism t to be depended on"
Mrs. Peterkin went to the kitchen,
where she found the promise of an early
tea even worse than she had ANTICIPATED.
But there was q kind of magic in her
presence that quickly gave a new aspect
to everything. A slight, but skilful re-
arrangement of the fire caused it to burn
clearer, and few prompt directions to
the cook frightened the ideas of that in
dlvidual wonderfully. Just as Mrs. Pc
terkln' s hands were fairly in her work,
the babe, which had at first been par
tally quieted through Carry's efforts,
began to scream violently.
"Oh, dear, dear :" exclaimed the mo-
ther, whose nerves were already 80 e1-
cited that she only maintained exterior
composure through the most earnest
effort. /" What is to be done? can't
bear to hear that poor sick child's cries;
and if | leave here there is no telling
when tea will be ready"
1t only needed an impatient word from
her husband to destroy the equilibrium
tor which Mr.. Peterskin was so brayely
struggling. With him, at that moment
rested the happiness Of his little house
hold. He was depressed in body from
WEAKNESS and hunger. He had looked
forward to the evening meal with plea
sure, and had expected to find it as usual,
on the table. Instead of this, he found
his wife in slightly worried state, and
the supper be was so fully prepared to
enjoy, far from being ready. IL had cost
him little effort to hide his disappoint-
ment on discovering the aspect of affairs,
when he first came in; but he gave ut
terance to cheerful words, and these
restored cheerful feelings.
Left alone after his wife had gone to
see about the evening meal, and his little
daughter to quiet the baby, Mr.. Peter
kln's thoughts diverged into rather an
unusual channel for him, and he was ac-
tuslly saying to himself" " A little fore
cast on wifey's part would have prevent
ed this, when the bsby's loud screams
disturbed him. 1t was rarely that he
suffered any thing to annoy him at home.
Now, however, he did feel worried. An
exhausted body left an exhausted mind.
Over his countensnce fitted an impa-
tlsnt expression, and few contracting
lines shsdowed his forehead. For while
he sat, the screams Of the baby fluttering
his nerves. Then he arose, and was
about passing into the kitchen to say,
half impatiently. q Do let supper alone
and go up to the baby" when q better
thought was bern of better purpose;
and, instead of doing as at first inclined,
he ascended to the chamber, and, taking
the child, quietly soothed it with gentle
tones and loving words.
What magic power to awaken dis
cord or produce harmony was possessed
by the husband and father in that little
point of time! The good and the evil
impulse were for o moment evenly bal
anced, but good preponderatsd, and q
calmness fell upon the slightly troubled
waters Of his pleasant household. And
such power every husband and father
possesses; yet how few use their influ.
ence, at all times, well and wisely!
So interested did Mr.. Peterkin soon
become in the now quiet and happy babe.
that he forgot sll about his hunger and
weariness; and when supper was at last
announced, he took his place at the table
in pleasant frame of mind, and commu-
nicsted to all measure of his cheerful
spirit. If he noticed that the tea was
little smoked, or the toast burnt at the
edge, be did not speak Of 1t, and so re-
lisved the mind of his wife, who felt
worried at these little defects in their
evening meal.
Baby cried no more. After tea, she
fell OF into q natural sleep, and did not
awaken until the next morning.
Don't sew this evening, Mary, !" said
Mr., Peterkln as his wife took her vork