The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-08-22
From Ba,lou's Magazine.
A Preside Story.
BY ETHAN CARLETON.

pared nth that retreat of love where he
husband and children dwell But of thi
we Will say no more, for it was our ntcntio
when we first dipped our pen in ink to-day
to give to the reader tale Of facts SO no.
for the introduction.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pason, with their children
occupied humble tenement in q narro,
court. But though their rooms were sna
ana lew, there was an air of comfort pervad
ing all, that plainly told that the mechanic
home was managed by skillful house
keeper.
On the evening o r story opens, brigh
fire was glowing in the polished stove inih
little parlor, and near it was drawn small
round table. \ group of three children wcr
variousiy engaged around it. Emma, tn
eiest, was hemming an apron. Ellen, TIVE
| years younger, was petting her favorite kit
ten; while but a little distance from her
sat her only brother Charles, engaged with
his slate and pencil. The mother of thi,
little group was busily engaged about tn,
room with various duties but still her large
dark eyes were often turned toward the ia
bic, beaming with love and pride Al
length, stepping lightly behind the chair oc
cupied by Charley, the youngest Of The
group, she leaned over and gently touched
her lips TO his cheek.
For the last half hour the child's whole
soul had seemed to be wrapped in his occu-
patton, and now being so suddenly disturb
ed, quick as the !ightning's flash he dealt a
blow in his mothers face, not even looking
up to see who leaned over him. The mother
did not speak, while the girls cried in a
breath" Why, brother, you have struck
mai"
81 don't care if have" was the response
" She ought net TO plague me when | am
busy"
Charles, though young in years, was cd
in intellect; he knew that he had done
wrong, and he expected 10 be rebuked, al
though ne knew that his parent was ever
kind; but in this he was disappointed, for
the mother only turned her dark eyes full
upon him with sorrowfu expression, and
then walked rapidly away 10 finish her pre-
parations for tea. Emma was about TO speak
again, but her mother motioned for her TO
keep silent, and then all went on as before,
save now and then the glance that the pas
sionate boy bestowed on his parent. None
Of these glances were returned, and in
little while Mrs. Pason had her children put
away their paythings and work, saying that
supper was ready.
II don't want any supper" said Charles,
throwing down his slate heavily and trying
to catch his mothers eye; but still Mrs.
Pason did not answer, nor did she look an
CRY, she only broke his bread in his plate
ready for his milk, and then took her sewing
TO wait for her tea till hcr husband should
come. \ half hou: later Charley had not
spoken, neither had he eaten any supper,
but he stood at the bedroom door leading
off from the little parlor, with one hand
cluching the white drapery Of his night
dress, and the other on the knob Of the door
Come, Charley" said Emma, attempting
to force him into his sleeping apartment,
" hurry, mother wants Us all TO bed before
'''f d6ii 'ttcare, was the answer, al shan't
20 If she does want me TO, and ere the sen
tence was finished, the boy threw himself
stubboruly between the snowy sheets Of his
truudle- e-bed, and the door shut out the form
of his mother.
The night Of which we write, the frosty
breath Of winter was creeping in at every
crevice in the tenement occupied by Mr. Pa
sons famil-, and yet it seemed to cast 10
gloom over that neat little parlor, where the
industrious wife had built the afternoon fire,
ana prepared the evening meal for her fauli-
ly. EchoiDg footsteps went by, and for
long time Mrs. Pason sat and listened that
she might distinguish her husbands step
from among the rest. At length, becoming
weary Of waiting, she went to the window
and peered into the night gloom without
bu; it was too dark to distinguish features,
so she turned away, and stepped quietly in
10 the side Of the little trundle-bed, and
kneciing, she leaned over the pillow, and
once more touched her lips TO her boys
cheek, whispering as she did so: "Oh, Char
ley, darling, you little know the sad hours
your hasty temper cost your mother. but |
feel that harsh treatment will never over
come it,
And though she tried to restrain her tears
low burst OF grief broke the stiffness, but
the sleeper did not stir; so covering him
warmly, she slowly arose to her feet, ar
once more sought her low rocking chair by
the fireside. Mrs. Pason bowed her head
in her hand and in few moments she was
buried in deep thought, and yet her mind
did not roam from home; she was thinking
that tonight was the time her husband would
receive his months pay, and ere the hard
earned money was placed in her hands she
was mentally striving to dispose of it to the
best advantage. So intent was Mrs. Pason
on planning, that for a few moments she
did not notice that little white drapered
form stood beside her, and then pair Of
tiny arms were thrown about her neck, and
Charley, while sob after sob came forth from
his heart, buried his head in her bosom.
go, mama," he cried, 81 have been a
naughty boy, but l won't be so any. more
if you will kiss me and say you love me. l
was not asleep when you came to the side
of the bed, for l could not sleep when was
afraid you were angry" Mrs. Pason return
ed the child's embrace, but ere she could
answer, the outer door opened, and her hus-
band stepped within the parlor.
"Why don't you put that child to bed,
Susan?" he exclaimed, shaking the snow
from his over-coat, and looking sternly into
the face of his wife, "You know that |
have often told you that want you to put
the children to bed early.'
Mother forgives you darling" whispered
the wife 10 her child, and then added in the
same low tone" Try and be gooo boy in
future, and remember that it always grieves
me to see you indulge in hasty temper"
and then with another kiss she led him to
his bed, and few moments later the noble
boy was soundly sleeping, for now ne had
received his kindly good dnight kiss.
When Mrs. Pason returned to the parlor,
her husband was standing near the fire, and
there was dark frown on Lis face; he had
divested himself of his outer garments and
thIown them into a chair; the wife took
them up pleasantly, and, carrying them into
the entry, shook off the snow, and then
hung them in their accustomed place; then
returning to where her husband was stand
ing, she lifted the tea urn from the stove.
and placed that with other dainties on the
table that stood near .'5fa
{" Tea is ready, Robert" she said in soft
tone. s.f.sr
"Then take your seat at the table" was
the reply, without lifting his eyes to her
face, for I want no supper tonight.
Mrs. Pason, with womans quick in
stinct, saw that something had gone wrong