Demoine courier., 1855-12-20

happy as d'iring the previous years.
And-w why this! There had been trou.
bic IN business, on The husbands side,
and he had not always ihro wn tie
weight Of care from his spirit at days
decline, and brought 8 cheerful heart
and sunny c~oun,enance home with him
Yet lie might have done this; for the
trouble was such as eve comes with in
creasing business, and should have found
q compensation in increasing gains -
Had he wisely left, the days cares and
perplexities al his place Of business when
the doors were shut al night. and let
home-affec,ion. and a loving interest in
the measured ones of his household, find
their true activity, his presence would
have been like warm sunshine, dispelhug
clouds and shadows. But, he was set
ting his heart upon the world. more and
more. everyday; andas worldly Interests
increased, care and anxiety increased,
also, for this is one Of the penalties near,
ly all men pay for prosperity. He had
met with some unexpected losses, and
more than one carefully planned opera
ton had entirely failed. This was the
trouble in business to- which his wife re-
ferred-and of which she had felt al
home The disturbing influence. On her
part, the trouble had also been experience
ed. She, too, was setting her heart on
external things, aad hoping to find ihere-
in rest and peace. The home in which,
during the earlier years OF her married
life, she had enjoyed SO much Of real
happiness. grown poor and iheanein her
eyes under the stronger ligh. of opening
prosperity. must needs be changed for
ons larger ana more elegant. Richer
clothing new and costly furniture. and
many ,hirgs for show succeeded. all alb
sorbing her ,horghts. and all bringing
more or less Disturbing influences.
In The choice OF O new house. there
had been ADHERENCE oil opinion between
Mrs. Andrews aud her husband, result
ing 10 much unhappiness on both sides,
lie preferred on part Of the city, and
size anolher; he a roomy, bal not very
costly house; she n of rather imposing
appearance. more ornamental lhan com.
Portable. Her will was strongest, and
her wishes prevailed. But, in the con
quest, if il nigh. so be called, she lost
more shan she gained; for she lost a por-
non of her husbands affection. And
her hearts quick instincts were not long
10 discovering The fact. si
The new house, new furniture, and
new friends tina. suddenly sprung up.
absorbed a large portion of Mrs. An
drews' lime, as well as thoughts. to The
neglect Of her children, and loss Of real
comfort in the household. But neglected
children are not passive subjects; nor
neglec. in matters Of domestic comfort, q
thing of difference. They will exists as
painful realities; and this Mrs. Andrews
soon proved, in her sorrow.
This, in brief. is a history Of the J ear,
n 'he waning light of hich the husband
and vile sat signing over their disappoin
cd hopes.
"Do you remember our first New
Years Eve!'' said Mrs. Andrews rs, in a
voice that some vivid recollection Of the
tast had made tremulous with feeling.
This was after a long silence.
For few moments. her husband look
ed at her, before replying. Her ques-
ton had thrown his thoughts back, and
now the memory ola happier time was
present t4a b I
2"'rhere have been none like il since
Anna The words were spoken earn
esdy, but sadly. 4 "And set" he added,
after a thoughtful silence. s.this ough,
not to be. The years should grow
brighter with sunshine; not darker with
clouds. Something is wrong. Why,
as the time goes IN, should tbs. press ure'
of cure grow heavier. and our spirits,
tina, desire rect and peace, find the ocean
Of life more vexed with storms, as the
ship advancesi Yes, Anna, | do remem
Der tna, New Years Eve. Alas! now
unlike the present. gsga sslsia ss..
"We were poorsr in this worlds
goods, but richer in feelings said Mrs.,
Andrews. s.Thai dear little hbraryl-
There WIS a charm abou: il. ne found
in any Of our richer apartments. The
hearts warm sunshine fell all around il.
and made every object beautiful. Il 5
.Something il wrong Ma. An
.drews repeaaed ihe words more earnes,-
~. IF. since that 6rst plsaeantaN sw
Years Eve. The sky above Ne has gro WI
colder, the path rongher, + our hearts
saddsr, We canno. be on she road to hap
piness. II. with every adgapcing step,
the sunshine coaiirues 10 fade, we mu.i
be on the road TO darkness, and not
1.-The ligh. has grown DINNER. and.
yet we have been looking for he morn
ing to break in ,brillian. sunshine!"
sour external condition is improved"
said Mr.. Andrews. We have s better
home. and my business has greatly en-
larged; we. neither of these changes have
5rough. the anticipated pleasure. You
are not as. happy amid all these elegan,
surroundings. and ! am less satisfied
with large gains ia business. than l was
when my income reached scarcely =
third of.ils present amount, Yes, yes,
someihipg is wrong, and il behooyes us
80 lessE we'll 10 ways. If lhase are
ths PeAslties we pay for an improved