Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-16
MIS- SCELLA A N Y
The Two Homes.

| Two ul6u vi tIltlC way uShio iuO0 oV q oti0Ss
crossing, and then walked on together. They
were neighbors and friends.
"This has been very hard day." said Mr..
Freeman, in gloomy voice. And as they
walked homeward they discouraged each other,
and made darker the clouds that obscured their
whole horizon.
"Good evening" was at last said hurriedly !;
and the two men passed into their homes.
| Mr. Walcott entered the room where his wife
and children were gathered, and without speak
ing to any one, seated himself in chair, and
leaning bis head back, closed his eyes. His
countenance wore sad, weary, exhausted LOOK.
! He had been seated thus for only few minutes,
when his wife said in fearful voice:
r'More trouble again"
"What is the matter2n asked Mr.. Walcott, al
most starting.
"Jobn has been sent home from school,"
| "What9" Mr. Walcott partly rose from his
chair.
"He has been suspended for bad conduct"
"Oh, dearw groaned Mr. Walcott, where is
he2"
Sup in his room sent him there as soon as
he came home. You'll have to do something
with him. Hel be ruined if he goes on in this
way. Pun out of all heaft with him."
| Mr. Walcott, excited as much by the manner
| in which his wife conveyed unpleasant informa-
tien as by the information itself, started up nm
der the blind impulse of the momeSt, and going
tHtbe room where John had been Sent on COM
| ing home from school, punished the boy severe
ly. and this without listening to the explanations
which the poor child tried to sake him hear.
"Father," said the boy, with forced calm
ness, after the cruel stripes had ceased: "a
wasn't to blame, and if you will go with me to
the teacher, can prove myself innocent"
Mr.. Walcott had never known his son to tell
an untruth, andthe words fell with rebuke
upon his heart.
| VERY we'll, we will see about that" he an
swered with forced sternness; and leaving the
room he went down stairs, feeling much more
Uncomfortable hep when he went up: Again
he seated hiAseBlh his large chair, again leaned
back his weary head and closed his heavy eye
| lids. Sadder was his face than before. As he
sat thus, his eldest daughter, in her sixteenth
wear. came and stood by him. She held apaper
in her hand.
.Fathern-he opened his eyes-''here's my
, quarters BILL Cant have the money to take
I to school with me in the morDiDgs"
81 am afraid not" answered MIR. Walcott, hal
in despair.
SNearly all the girls will bring in their money
tomorrow, and it mortities me to be behind tne
Others" The daughter spoke fretfuliy. Mr
Walcott waved her aside with his hand, and she
went off muttering and pouting.
SIT is mortitying," said Mrs. Walcotf, little
sharply. ."and don't wonder that Helen feels an
moved about it. The bill has to be paid, ap
don't see why it may not be done as well hrst a.
last" MI
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer. Tht
words but added another pressure to the heavy
burden under which he was already staggering
After a silence of some moments, Mrs. Walcot
said:
"The Goals are all gone"
"Impossible" Mr.. Walcott raised his heat
and looked incredulous. II laid in sixteel
TONS"
II can't help it if there were sixty tons instea'
of sixteen; they are all gone. The girl had hare
work to-day to scrape up enough to keep the mr.
in"
ssThere's been shameful waste somewhere,
said Mr. Walcott, with strong emphasis, startint
up and moving about the room with very dis
turbed manner.
so you always say, when anything runs ont,
answered Mrs. Walcott, rather tartly "1h
barrel of -four is gone also; but | suppose yo
have done your part, with the rest, IN using
up.n
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair, and seatn
himself, leaned back his head and closed hi
) ewes as at first How sad and weary and hope
less he felt The burdens of the day had seem
ed almost LOO heavy for him; but he had born
up bravely. To gather strength for renewe
struggle with adverse circumstances, be ha
come home. Alasl that the process of exhaus
tion should still go oD-that where only strengt
could be looked for on earth, no strength wa
given. =,
When the tea bell was rung, Mr.. Walcott mad
I no movement to obey the summons.
"Come to SUPPER" said bis wife coldly.
! But he did not stir.
"Are yon not coming to suppers" she calle
= to him. as she was leaving the room.
: II don't wish for anything this evening.
s head aches very much" he answered.
"In the dumps again" muttered Mrs. Walco
to herself "It's as much as ones life Is worth
: ask for money, or to say anything Is wanted. y
D And she kept on her way to the dining-room-
When she returned, her husband was still s
ting where she had left him.
'Shall bring you cup of tea?" she asked
"No, don't wish for anything"
, Whats the matter, MIR. Walcott9 What
: YOU look so troubled about, as if you hadn't
friend in the worldg What have / done
you9"
There was no answer, for there was not
shade of real sympathy in the voice that mad
the queries, but rather of querulous dissatsfae