Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-23

wrap them in bundles, and carry them HON
y to shadow their households.
Il was so with the Young husband on thi
particular occasion The stream of bushes
had taken an eddylng whirl, and thrown hi
vesse: backwards. instead Of onwsrds, for
brief spsce; and though it was still in tn
current, and disappointment had freited hi
mind severely. Tfere was no heart-warmtl
in the kiss he gave his wife, not becaus
love he'd failed in any degree. but becaus
he had let care overshadow love He drew
his arm around her; but she was consciou
of diminished pressure in that embracin!
arm.
Are you not well!'
With what tender concern was the ques
tion asked!
Very wfll.'
He might be in body, but not in mind
that was plain; for his voice was far from
being cheerful.
She played and sang his favorite pieces
hoping to restore, by the charm of music
brightness to his spirit. But she was con
scious OF orly partial success. There was
still a gravity in his manner never perceiv
ed be fore. At tea-time, she smiled upon
him SO sweetly across the table, and talked
to him on such attractive themes, that the
right expression returned to his countenancei
and he looked as happy as she could desire
From the tea-table, they returned to theiI
pleasant psrlor. And now the time had
come for offering her gift. and receiving the
coveted reward of glad surprise, followed b7
sweet kisses and loving words Was she
selishl Did she think more of her re-
ward than of the pleasure she would bestow!
But that is questioning too closely
4 will oe back in moment she said;
and, passing from the room, she went light
ly up the stairs. Both tone and manner be-
trayed her secret, or rather the possession
OF a secret with which her husband was 10
be- surprised. Scarcely had her loving face
faded from before his eyes, when thought
returned, with a single bognd, to an un-
pleasant event of the day; and the waters
of his spirit were again troubled. He hrd
actually arisen, and crossed the floor once
or twice, moved by a restless concern,when
his wife came back with the dressing gown
and slippers, She was trying to force her
couBtenance into q grave express to
hold back the smiles that were continually
striving TO break in truant circles around her
lips. when single glance a. her husbands
face told her that tine spirit, driven away by
the exorcism of her love, had returned again
to his bosom. He looked at her soberly, as
she came forward.
What are these1' he asked. almost coldly
repressing surprise, and affecting an igno-
rance, in regard to the beautiful present she
held in her hands, that he did not fee.
They are for You. dear. | made Them
sFor mel Nonsense! What do | want
with such jimcrackeryl This is woman's
wesr. Do YOU think | would dishgure my
feet with embroidered slipp'rs, or dress up
in a calico go nj Put them away, dear
Your husband is too much of a man to robe
himself in gay colors, like clOwn to an
| actor And he waved his hand with an air
OF contempt Tnere was cold. sneering
manner about him, partly effected and partly
real-,he real born of his uncomfortable
state of mind Yet he loved his sweet wife
and would not, of set purpose, have wound
! ed her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel re-
ception of her pres env, orer which she had
wrought, patiently, in golden hope. tor many
days-ihis dasbing to the earth of her brim-
full cup of joy, jus, as it touched her lips
was more than the fond young wife could
bear. To hide the tears that came rushing
| to her eyes, she turned away from her hus-
band; and, to conceal the sobs she had nc
power to re2ress, she went almost hurriedy
from the room: and, going back to the
chamber from whence she had brought the
present, she laid it away out of sight in a
closet. Then covering her face with heI
hands, she sat down, and stTove with her
self to be calm. But the shadow was toe
deep-the heartache too heavy.
Il In little while, her husl and followed
her, and discovering, something to his sur
prise, that she was weeping said, IN slight
ly reproving voice: 'Why, bless me! no
IN tears! What silly little puss you are
Why didn't you tell me you thought of max
, ing dressing gown and pair of s!ippers,ant
would have vetoed the matter at once!-
! You couldn't hire me to wear such aauntins
. things. Come back to the parIo-'-he tool
hold Of her arm, and lifted her from tn,
8 chair-"and sing and play tor me. 'Th'
, Dream Waltz or The Tremoo,' 'Deares
, May or The Silly Night are worth more
5 to me than forty dressing-gowns, or carg'
, OF embroidered Slippers
|, Almost by force, he led her back 10 tn
e parlor, and placed her on the music.stool.-
He selected favorite piece, and laid it be
fore her. But tears were in her eyes; an
d she could not see a note. Over the key
J. her fingers passed in skiliul touches; hui
d when she tried TO take up the song, utter
ance failed; and slbs broke forth instead q
e words.
: sHow foolishr said the husband, in
n vexed tone. 'I'm surprised sat you! An
he turned from the piano, and walked acros
D the room.
r A little while the sad young wife remain
n ed where she was left thus alone, and j
+ partial anger Then, rising, she went slow
ii ly from the room--her husband not seekin
e to restrain her-and, going back to he
IF chamber, sat down in darkness.
q The shadow which had been cast upo
,r her spirit was very deep; ard, though th
hidden sun came out.. again right early,
" was long time before his beams bad pow
r. to scatter the clouds that foated in love
I; horizon.
RI The shadows we cast. Father, hus5an
n, wife, sister brother, son, neighbor-are -
9, not all casting shadows daily. on some hear
re that are pining for the sunlight OF our face
ht We have given you two pictures o. Iii
as true pictures, not as mirror. but as
id kaleidoscope. In all their infinitely varl
az relations, men and women, sel6shly,
to thoughtessIy from design, weakness
ignorance-are casting their shadows up'
ndl hearts that are pining for sunlight. A VOL
tn look, toLe, an act will cast a shade
he aud sadden a spirit for hours and days.
n Speak kindly, act kindly. be ioreetters
sell, and regardsrs Of others, and you W