The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-04


affections. and loving interest in the treas |
urod ONES Of his household, find their true
activity, his presence would have been like
warm sunshine, dispelling clouds and shad-
ows. But, he was setting his heart upon
the world, more and more, every day; and
as worldly interests increased, care and anxi-
ety Increased also, for this is one OF the PEN
alties nearly 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 trou-
BILE in business 10 which his wife referred
and of which she had felt at home the dis
turbing influence. On her part, the trouble
had also been experienced. She, too, was
setting her heart on external things, and
hoping 10 find therein rest and peace. The
home in which, during the earlier years oil
her married life, she had enjoyed 10 much oil
real happiness, grown poor and mean IN her
eyes under the stronger light of opening pros
perity, must needs be changed for one larger
and more elegant. Richer clothing, new
and costly furniture, and many things for
show succeeded. all absorbing her thoughts,
and all bringing more or less disturbing IN
hueaees.
In the choice Of new house, there had
been q difference Of opinion between Mrs.
Andrews and her husband, resulting in
much unhappiness on both sides. lie pre-
ferr,l one part of the city and she another;
he a roomy but not very costly house she
one of rather imposing appearance, more Or
namental than comfortable. Her will was
strongest, and her wish prevailed. But in
the conquest, il il might so be called, she
lost more than she gained for she lost
portion Of her husbands affection. And
her hearts quick instincts were not long in
discovering the fact.
The new house, new furniture, and new
friends that suddenly sprung up, absorbed
large portion of Mrs. Andrews time, rs well
rs thoughts, to the neglect of her children,
and loss of real comfort in the household
Bat neglected children are not passive sub
jects nor neglect in matters OF domestic
comfort thing Of Indifference. They will
exist Us painful realities: and this Mrs. An
drews prised, TO her sorrOw.
This, in brief, is history of the year, IN
the waning light of which the husband and
wife were signing over their disappointed
hopes.
. Do you remember our first New Years
Eye?" said Mrs. Andrews, in voice that
some vivid recollection of the past had made
tremulous with feeling. This was after
very long silence.
For few moments her husband looked at
her, before replying. Her question had
thrown his thoughts hack, and now the
memory of n happier time was present.
"Therc have been none like. il since, An
ma" The words were spoken earnestly,
but sadly. "And vet" he added, after n
thoughtful silence, "this ought not to be.
The years should grow brighter with sun
shine. not darker with clouds. Something
is wrong. Why, as the time goes on, should
the pressure of care grow heavier, and our
spirits, that desire rest and peace, find the
ocean Of life more vexed with storms, rs the
,ship advances? Yes Anna, do remember
that first New Years Eve. Alas how UNI
like the present."
ave were poorer in this worlds goods,
and richer in feelings" said Mrs. Andrews
THAT dear little library! There was u
charm about il, never found in any of our
richer apartments. The hearts warm sun
shine fell all around it, and made every OBJ
icct Beautiful"
Something is wrong" Mr.. Andrews
repeated the words more earnestly. =" III,
since that first pleasant New Years Eve, the
sky above us has grown colder, the path
rougher, and our hearts sadder, we cannot
be ON the road to happiness. If, with every
advancing step, the sunshine continues to
fade, we must be ON the road to darkness,
and not light"
=" Tho light has grown DINNER, and yet
we have been looking for the morning TO
break in brilliant sunshine"
"Our external condition is improved y
said Mr.. Andrews. ave have better
home, and my business has greatly enlarged
vet, neither of these changes has brought
the anticipated pleasure. You are not as
happy amid all these elegant surroundings,
and / am less satisfied with large gains in
business, than was when my income reached
scarcely third of its present amount
Yes, yes, something Is wrong, and IL be-
hooves us to look well to our ways. If these
are the penalties we pay for AN improved
worldly condition, then wealth must be
curse, instead of blessing"
IF we set our hearts upon it," replied
Mrs. Andrews, cit will prove curse. And,
dear husband, may not our error lie just
hcre?"
Mr.. Andrews did not reply for some min
utes, during which time thought was very
busy. lie then said:
- Ii does lie just where you say, Anna
! am building too much on the mere accu-
mutation of wealth. rs means of happiness,
and YOU are permitting your eyes To be daz-
zled by the surface-glitter of the world
around YOU. We are placing our highest
good in mere external things, to the almost
total neglect of what is internal IND there
for, more real. What are wealth and elc-
gance? what are honor and reputation?
what are fine houses and grand villas, II the
herrt be dissatisfcl? Ii each returning
New Years Eve find US sldder than before,
.irc we not living in ain?"
slot Ms begin the New Year in wiser and
better life. Come home to me, Us OF old,
leaving the world and all its cars behind
YOU and | will strive, with an earnest
split, to dispcrse all clouds, 50 that the sun
shine may come in, rs of old. Let Us find,
In every passing day, the treasure it brings
20 our door, and not lose the blessings we
have, in vain longing after some mere ideal
good"
"A they talked, the weight of sadness was
lifted from their spirits. Even in truer
thoughts and better purposes, there comes a
measure Of peace to the troubled heart; how
much more, if thought and purpose give
birth to action
The evening closed more brightly than il
BEGAN. Peace futtered again above their
hearts, seeking therein nesting place.
1--WE will not forfeit the world within us,
for the world without" said Mr.. Andrews,
closing the pages ola book, in which he had
read aloud 20 his wife, Us on their first New
Years Eve.-"the internal, for the external;
the riches of mind and heart, for the wealth
that perishes in the using. Our feet have
gone astray; but we are not such distant
wanderers from the right path, that we may
not find it again :"
Have YOU wandered, like them, reader,
from the pleasant ways of life? Have you
made the external OF more importance than
the internal? Ii -, pause, ~ the year