Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-06-10

sky was clear, but cloud was sure to bring
the storm. For years not day passed that
he had not seen some unpleasant passages be-
tween herself and children, and she would not
understand that her very mode of treatment
the disposition she manifested and the Ian
gaagc she used--was surely warpng the minds
Of her little ones. In pain and anguish her
husband has tried to show her this, but she
would not listen and then when she was calm
and reasonable-Albert could not find it in his
heart to destroy the peace by such illusions.
On the present occasion supper was eaten al
most in silence. The husband was panied and
the wife angry. The child once cried for
lump of sugar, and the mother jerked piece
on her plate, with the words,
"There, take it! You want everything you
set your eyes on.''
The little one ate the sugar in silence, while
the mother feH more dismal still from this new
outburst. And thus matters went on for an
hour, at the end of which time the door-bell
rang, and some company was introduced. 1t
was a neighbor and his wife. In moment the
whole expresson of Abby's face was changed.
Smiles took the place of frowns, and her words
were as sweet as could be; and during the
whole evening she was as happy and as gay as
though frowns had never rested upon her brow.
ssAbby,'' said her husband, after the visitors
were gone, s'snce We have been married have
/ not done all in my power to make you hap
py7 Have you ever expressed an earnest,
heartfelt wish that + have not gratified ?''
esI don't know" replied the wife, rather ro-
luctantly.
eyes, you do know replied Albert, s'and
what want to know is this Why you could
not strive as much to make me happy as you
will those who are not dependent upon you for
happiness. When l came home this evening
worn and fatigued with the labors of the day,
and cheerful welcome ~
ssBecause didn't feel like smiling," was
the answer.
@But you smiled the moment Mr.. .Bigbee and
his wife came in; and that, too, when your
feelings were anything but pleasant a moment
before. Can you do for their comfort what you
are not willing to do for mine ?''
81 do the best can,'' sobbed Mrs. Lceman
beginning to cry. 81 wish you'd found a wife
who could have suited you better than do, L
never suit you, neverl"
Abby was in tears, and her husband could
say no more. He could only wish that she
would understand him. Oh how often, when
she was kind and good, did he wish she would
| always be so and again, when she was making
company SO happy, how fervently did he pray
that she would always do so for him.
She was neat, tidy, industrious woman, and
only her own family knew of this dark trait in
her character.
In the same town with Abby lived her only
sister who married young man by the name
of Charles Frye. Charles some eight and
twenty land Lydia, his wife e,Abby's sister, three
years younger. This man was a carpenter by
trade strong, healthy, generous, and of supe-
rior intelligence. His business was good, and
though he wore paper cap and apron ten or
twelve hours day, yet he was laying up mo-
| ney. Lydia Frye was unlike her sister in one
respect. That sweet smile which visitors found
upon her face never faded in her husband S
! presence, and the words which the stranger
| heard her speak to bis child were never more
| harsh when alone with her little one. She low
! ed her husband and she loved her child and
never did she knowingly speak word that
could bring cloud upon her household.
And between these two sisters there was an
arrangement. Several times Lydia had expos
tulatcd with Abby on her fractious treatment
! of her children and once she had even gone SO
far as to put her arms about her sisters child
to protect it from the mothers rage; and, il
unfortunately happened that on that very eve
ming Mr.. Leeman asked his wife why she could
not be as kind and mild always as her sister
was. Then, added to this, Abby shortly after
ward learned, through a meddlesome neigh
Dor, that her sister had given her husband al
bert, some advice as to how he might best pun
ish his fractions wife. This capped the climax
in Abby's mind, and from that time there wa;
no intercourse between the sisters.
One day Albert came home with the pleasant
intelligence for his wife that her father would
be there the next morning, and that he inten
ded to settle down with him and fnd home
Abby wasting .ccstacies. She loved her father
for he was good man ,and had ever been kind
to his children. And he was wealthy, too.
On the following day Moses Gorham came
He was an old man now, past sixty, with white
hair and mild benevolent look and Abby wa.
very happy. Her father told her ne had fin
ished his travels, and meant to settle~dowr
with one of his children for the remainder Of
his days.
e.Oh, of course you'll come and stay will
u.s., Abby said.s ssWe've got the most room
and are best able to keep YOU"
..Ah my child" returned the old man, will
a smile. al am better able to keep myself