The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-10-27

81 am afraid not" answered Mr.. Walcott,
half in despair.
"Nearly all the girls will bring in their
money tomorrow, and it mortifes me to be
behind the others.
The daughter spoke fretfully. Mr.. Wal
colt waved her aside with his hand. and she
went Off muttering and pouting.
"It is mortifying," said Mrs Waleott,
little sharply; "and don't wonder that
Helen feels annoyed about it. The bill has
to be paid, and don't see why it may not be
done as well first as last"
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer. The
words but added another pressure to the
heavy burden under which he was already
staggering. After silence Of some mo-
ments, Mrs. Walcott said:
"rhe Goals are all gone
"Impossible !" Mr.. Walcott raised his,
head and looked increduous. - laid in
sixteen TONS
al can't help it, If there were sixty tons
instead of sixteen, they are all gone. The
girls had hard work to-day to scrape up
enough to keep the fire in.'
"There's been a shameful waste some
where" said Mr.. Walcott. with strong en-
phasis, starting up and moving about the
room with very disturbed manner.
$50 you always say, when anything runs
out" answered Mrs. Walcott, rather tartly.
/" The barrel Of -four is gone also but sup
pose YOU have done your part with the rest
in using it up"
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair, and
again seating himself, leaned back his head
and closed his eyes as at first. How sad, and
weary, and hopeless he felt The burdens
of the day had seemed almost too heavy for
| him; but he had borne up brayely. To
gather strength for renewed struggle with
adverse circumstances, he had come home.
Alas that the process Of exhaustion should
still go on-that where only strength could
be looked for on earth, no strength was given.
| When the tea bell was rung, Mr.. Walcott
made no movement to obey the summons.
"Come to supper" said his wife, cOldly.
But he did not stir.
care YOU not coming to supper:" she call
ed to him, as she was leaving the room.
81 don't wish for ANYTHING this evening.
Ny head aches very much," he answered.
"ln the dumps again." muttercd Mrs.
Walcott to herself. Its as much as ones
life is worth to ask for money, or to say any.
thing is wanted" And she kept on her way
to the dining room. When she returned,
her husband was still where she had left him.
"Shall bring you cup Of tea /" she ask
ed.
"No, don't wish ANYTHING"
"whats the matter. Mr.. Walcott: What
do you look so troubled about. as if you
hadn't friend in the world? What have
done to ynas"
There was no answer, for there was not a
shade of real sympathy in the voice that made
the queries, but rather Of querulons dissatis.
faction. A few moments Mrs. Walcott stood
behind her husband, but as he did not seem
inclined to answer questions, she turned
away from him. and resumed the employ.
ment which had been interrupted by the
ringing Of the tea bell
The whole evening passed without the oc'
currence Of single incident that gave !
healthful pulsation to the sick heart Of Mr.
Walcott. No thoughtui Kindness was man
ifested by any member Of the family; but
on the contrary, narrow regard for self, ant
looking to him ouly that he might supply
| the means of qualification.
No wonder, from The pressure which wa
on him, that Mr.. WaIco,t felt utterly dis
couraged. lie retired early, and sought Il
find that relief from mental disqnietude il
! sleep. which he had yainly hoped for in tht
bosom Of his family. But the whole nigh
passed in broken slumber and disturbing
! dreams. From Tie cheerlsss morning meal
at which he was reminded Of the quarter
! bill that must be paid. Of the eaals and ilon
, that were nut. and ol the necessity Of sup
plying Mrs. Walcott's empty purse, he wen
forth 20 meet the difficulties of another day
faint at heart. almost hopeless Of success. 4
confident spirit. sustained By home affections
would have carried him through; but, un
supported as he was. the burden was 10
heavy for him, and he sank under Il. Th
; day that opened so prOpitiously closed upol
, him a ruined man.
Let u look in for few moment upon VIZ
Freeman. friend and ncighbnr uf Mr. Wal
! colt. lie, also, had come home weary. dis
pirited and almost sick. The trials Of H.
day had been unusually severe. and when b
looked anxionsly forward ID scan the future
/ not even CLEAN Of light was seen along III
black horizon.
As he stepped across the threshold Of hi
dwelling. pang shot through his heart, 70
the thought cane: How slight the pre-
sent bold npon III these comforts" Not f.
! himself, but for his wife and children was th
PAIN.
"Faiher's come I" cried glad little yoici