The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-07-30

and the waters of his spirit were again troubled.
He had actually arisen, and crossed the floor
once or twice, moved by restless concern,
when his wife came back with the dressing
gown and slippers. She was trying to force
her countenance into grave expression, to
hold back the smiles that were continually
striving TO break m irnnnt circles around her
lips, when single glance at her husbands
face told her that the spirit, driven away by
the exorcism of her love, had returned again
to his bosom. He looked at her soberly, as
she came forward. .-nss - a. ,g..t
"What are these ?o he asked, almost coldly,
repressing surprise, and affecting an ignorance
in regard. to the beautiful present she held in
her hands, that he did not tell. ~ ss q
"The = are for you, dear. j made them." J
"For mep Nonsease What do Iwant with
such jimcrackery? This is woman's wear.
DO you think would di.fgure my feet with
embroidered slippers, or dress up in a calico
gown? Put them away, dear. Your husband
is too much Of a man to robe himself in gay
colors, like clown or an actor" And he
waved his hand with an air Of contempt. There
was cold. sneering manner about him, partly
affected and partly reaI--the real born of his
uncomfortable state os mifd. Yet he loved
his sweet wife, and would not, of set p.rpose,
have wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel recep-
tion of her present, over which she had
wrought. patiently, in golden hope, for many
days--ihis dashing 10 the earth of her biimful
cup Of joy, just as it touched her lips, was
more than the fond young wife conld bear
To hide the tears that came rushing TO her
eyes, she turned away from her husband; and
to conceal the sobs she had no power to re-
press, she went almost hurriedlv from the
room; and, gong back TO the chamber from
whence she had broaehtthe present, she laid
it away out CT sight in a closet. Then cover
ing her face wi h her hands, she sat down, and
strove with hers. If to be calm. But the shad-
ow was too deep--the heartache too heavy.
10 a little while, her husband followed her,
and discovering, something to his surprise,
that she wasweeping. said, ir slightly re-
proving voice: 'sWhy, bless me NOT in tears |!
What silly little russ you are! Why didn't
you tell me you thought of making Dress
ng-gown and pair Of slippers, and would
hayeve oed the matter at once? You couldn't
hire me to wear such Haunting things. Come
back to the parlor"--he took holl # her arm,
aud lifted her-ssand sing and play foi me-
"The Dream Waltz" or s.The Trrmolo,''
"Dearest May" or "The Silly Nighr' are
worth more to me than forty dressing gowns.
or cargo Of embroidered slippers"
Almost by force, he led her back tothe par
lor. and placed her on the Busie-stool. He
selected favorite piece, and laid it before
her. But tears We're in her eyes; and she could
not see note. Over the keys her fingers
passed in skillful touches; but, when she tried
to take up the song, uttcraLce failed; and sobs
broke forth instead of words.
"How foolish - said the husband, in a vexed
tone. s'Pm surprised at youp' And he turned
from the piano, and walked across the room.
A little while the sad young wife remained
where she was left thus alone, and ia partial
anger. Then, rising she went slowly from
the room-h,r husbtn not seeking to restrain
her--and, going back to her chsmbsr, sat down
III darkness. lssrav& aSh sssaffauE
The shadow which had been cast upon her
spirit was deep; aud, though the hidden. sun
came out againr,ght early, it was a long time
before his beams had power to scatter the
clouds that foated in loves horizon. ai 4 ssa
The shadows we east Father, husband.
wife, sister, brother, son, neighbor-are we
not all casting shadows daily, on some hearts
that are pinlng for the sunli sht of our faces !?
We have given you picture Of life, true
picture, not as mirror, bat As Kaleidoscope.
In all its infnitely varied relations, men and
women, selishly or thoughtlessly-fr from de-
sign, weakness, or ignorance--are casting their
shadows upon hearts that are pining 70. sun
light A word, a look, tone, an act will cast
a shadow, and sadden spirit for houu and
days. Speak kindly, act kindly, be forgetters
Of self, and regarders of others and you will
east but few shadows along the path Of life-
The true gentleman is always tender at the
feelings Of others-always thinking, when
with others, Of their pleasure instead Of his
own. He casts but few shadows. Be gentle
men-ladiss, or-in word that includes all
graces and excellences-- Christians for 1t is
the Christian who casts the fewrst shadows of
all. ae.@s ~ ..ls y hesesss HG 3 ,aEs5ss
- = M 4Ge ~ t{asts = taTs ~ 3ss{t "a vtf \