Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-11-26
VOL. XII.
rrEifE nANo HOAIES.

Two men on their way home, met at a
street crossing, and then walked on together
They were neighbors and friends.
ssgPhis has been a very hard day." said Mr..
Freeman in a gloomy voice. And as they
walked honewaTd they discouraged each
other, and made darker clouds that obscured
their whole horizon.
.sGood evening" was at last said hurried
ly; and the two men passed into their
homes.
Mr.. walcott entered the room where his
vile and children were gathered, and with
ou; speaking to any ones seated himself in
a chair, and leaning his head back closed
his eyes. His countsnance wore sad,
weary, exhausted look. He had been seat
ed thus for only few minutes, when his
wife said in fearful voice:
'Hore trouble again"
"Wbat is the matter now!" asked DIR.
Walcott, almost starting.
s.John has been sent home from school"
"What!" Mr.. Walcott partly rose from
his chair.
ale has been suspended for bad conduct"
.sOh, dear." groaned MIR. Walcott,
swhere is he?''
"Up in his room; / sent him there as
soon as he came home. You'll have to do
something with hun. He'll be ruined if he
goes on in this way. Pm out of all heart
with him."
Mr.. Walcott, excited as much by the
manner in which his wife conveyed un
pleasant information as by the information
itself, started up, under the blind impulse OF
the moment. and going to the room where
John had been sent on coming home from
school, punished the boy severely, and this
without listening to the explanations which
the poor child tried to make him hear.
"Falher," said the boy, with forced calm
ness, after the cruel stripes had ceased;
81 was'n TO blame, and if you will go with
me tothe teacher, / can prove myself inno-
cent. y a9 Eezs g@ - s = s
Mr. Walcott had never known his son to.
tell an urtruth, and the words llwith a re-
.buke upon his heart. ~ - sss
| .eVery well, we will see about that" he.
answered, with forced sternness; and -eavIng.
the room he went down stairs, feeling much
more uncomfortable than W hen he went up.
Again he seated shimselfin his large chair,
and again leaned back his weary head and
closed his heavy eye1ids. Sadder was his
| face than before. AS he sat thus, the eld-
est daughter. in her sixteentb.yeaE came and
stood by him. She held paper in her
hand.
'i.Father,'' opened his eyes, s.hete is
nv quarters biz. Cant have the money
to take to schoolwifh me 4in the morning!r,
81 am afraid ndts''' p answered Mr.. 'Walcott
half in despair.
g aNsarly all lhe girls win bring ii their
money to morrow, asndis mostjies me to
be behind the others." The daughter spoke
fretfnIiy. Mr.. WaIcott waived her aside
| with his hand, and she went off muttering
and pouting-
s'Itis mortifying,'' said Mrs. Walcott, az
| little sharply; "and l don't wonder that
Helen feels annoyed abou, it. The bill has
to be paid, and don't see why it may not
as we'll be done first last.
| To this Mr. w alcott made no answer
! The words but added another pressure to
| the heavy burden under winch he was al
ready staggering. After silence OF some
moments, Mrs. Walcott said,
ssThe Goals all gone
"Impos5ible!" Mr. Walcott raised his
head and looked incredulous 81 laid in
sixteen tons"
81 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 E.
nough TO keep the fire in
"There's been shameful waste some
where" said Mr. NValcott, 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
) 1.-The barrel of flour is gone also; bCt sup
pose you have done your part, with the rest,
in using 1t up
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair, and,
again seating himself, leaned back his head
and closed his eyes, as at first. The bur
dens of the day had seemed almost toe heavy
for him; but he had borne up bravely. TIC
gather strength with adverse circums tances
he had come home. Alas! that the process
t of exhaustion should still go on-that where
1 only strength could be looked for on earth,
no strength was given.
When the tea bell was rung, Mr.. Walcot
! made no movement to obey the summons.
"Come TO supper" said his wife, coldly
/ But he did not stir.
o care you not coming to SUPPER" she call
g ed to him, as she was leaving the room.
It 81 don't wish for anything this evening
T My head aches very much,' he answered.
"Iu the dumps again." muttered Mr.
/ Walcott to herself. "It's as much as one.
q life is worth to ask for money, or to say any
! thing is wanted" And she kept on he
:, way to the dinningroom. When she re
# turned her husband was still sitting wher
h she had left him.
., "Shall bring you cup of teal" sh
asked.
"a 'tNo, don't wish for anything.''
IL "What's the matter, Mr.. Walcott!-
What do you look so troubled about, as
IS you hadn't friend in the worldl Wha
Is have 1 done to you?''
., There was no answer, for there was not
:, shade of real sympathy in the voice tha
,e made the queries, but rather of querulou
al dissatisfaction. A few moments Mrs. Wa
a colt stood beside her husband but as he di
y not seem inclined to answer ques tions, sh
ir turned away from him, and resumed tn
tie employment which had been interrupted
Id the ringing of the tea bell.
ne The whole evening passed off without th
80 occurrence of a single incident that gave
III healthful pulsation to the sick heart of III
Walcott. No thoughtful kindness was mai
ifested by any member of the family; b.
on the contrary, a narrow regard for Sc
and looking to him only that he might su
ply the means OF self qualification.
- No wonder, from the pressure which vi
~ on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly di
ie, couraged He retired early, and sought
he find relief from mental dsquetude in slet
up which he had vainly hoped Tor in the boso
al OF his family Bnt the whole night pass
NJ in hrnken slnmh her and disturbing dream