Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-06-27

regard for self, and looking to him only
to supply the means of self-gratifcation.
No wonder, from the pressure which
was on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utter
ly discouraged. He retired early, and
sought to find that relief from mental
disquictude, in sleep. which he had vain
ly hoped for, in the bosom of his family.
But the whole night passed in broken
slumber, and disturbing dreams. From
the cherries morning meal, at which he
was reminded Of the quarterbill that
must be paid, of the coal and flour that
were out, and of the necessity of supply
ing Mrs. Walcott's empty purse, he went
forth to meet the difficulties of another
day, faint at heart, and almost hopeless
of success. A confident spirit, sustained
by home affections, would have carried
him through; but unsupported as he
was, the burden was too heavy for him,
and he sank underit. The day that OPEN
ed so unpropitiously, closed upon him a
ruined man
Let us look, for few moments, upon
llr. Freeman, the friend and neighbor of
Mr.. Walcott He, also, had come home
weary, dispirited, and almost sick. The
trials of the day had been unusually
severe and when he looked anxiously
forward to scan the future, not even a
CLEAN of light was seen along the black
horizon.
As he stepped across the threshold of
his dwelling, a .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.
Gathers come ~ cried glad little
voice on the stairs, the moment his foot
fall sounded in the passage then quick,
pattering feet were heard-and then
tiny form was springing into his arms
Before reaching the sitting-rOom, Alice,
the Oldest daughter, was by his side,
her arm drawn fondly within his, and
her loving eyes lifted to his face.
care you not late, dear !'' 1t was the
gentle 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
sadden the hearts that loved him, by let
ting the depression, from which he was
suffering, become too clearly apparent.
But the eyes of Mrs. Freeman saw quick
ly below the surface.
Are you not well, Robert ," she
enquired, tenderly, as she drew her
large armchair toward the center of the
room.
GA little head-ache," he answered,
with slight evasion.
Scarcely was Mr.. Freeman seated, ere
a pair of little hands were busy with each
foot, removing gaiter and shoe, and sup
plying their place with soft slipper
There was no one in the household who
did not feel happier on his return, nor one
who did not seek to render him some
kind office.
1t was impossible, under burst of
such heart-sunshine, for the spirit of Mr..
Freeman long TO remain shrouded. AL
most imperceptibly to himself gloomy
thoughts gave place to more cheerful
ones, and by the time tea was ready, he
had half forgotten 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
suspecting the cause, kept back from her
husband the knowledge of certain mat
ters about which she intended to speak
with him-for she feared they would
add to his mental disquietude. During
the evening. she CLEANED from something
he said, the real cause of his changed
aspect. AT once her thoughts commen.
ced running in a new channel. By
few leading remarks, she drew her hus-
band into conversation on the subject of
home expenses, and the propriety Of re-
striction at various points. Many things
were mutually pronounced superfuous,
and easily to be dispensed with; and be.
fore sleep fell sOothingly on the eyelids
of MIR. Freeman, that night an entire
change in their style of living had been
determined upon-a change that would
reduce their expenses at least one half.
4" l sec light ahead" were the hope.
tul words OF MIR. Freeman, as he resign
ed himself to slumber.
With renewed strength of mind and
body, and a confident spirit, he went
forth on the next day-a day that he
had looked forward to with fear and
trembling. And it was only through
this renewed strength and confident spir-
it, that he was able to overcome the diff
ficulties that loomed up, mountain high,
before him. Weak dependency would
have ruined all. Home had proved his
tower Of strength-his walled city. 1t
had been to him as the shadow Of a
great rock in a weary land. Strength.
ened for the conflict. he had gone forth