The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-10-22

"ln the dunn again !" muttered Mrs
Walcott 10 herself. tlt's as much as one.
life is worth to ask for money, or to say my
thing is wanted" Aud she kept On he,
way to the dining room. When she re-
turned, her husband was still sitting where
she had left him.
"shall bring YOU cup of teas" sl,
asked.
NO; don't wish for anything"
"What's the matter, Mr.. Walcott q
What do you look so troubled about, as i
you ha1n'ta friend friend in the world
What have done to vou?"
There was no answer, for there was not a
shade of real sympathy in the voice til: t
made the queries, but rather of querulous
dissatisfaction. ~ few moments Mr.. Wal,
colt stood behind her husband, bat as he
dli not seem to be inclined to answer her
questions, she turned away from him, and
resumed the employment which had been
interrupted by Ii. ringing Of the tea bell.
The whole evening passed off without the
occurrence of a single incident that gave
healthful pulsa,ion to the sick heart OF Mr.
Wacott. No Thoughtful kindness was man
Tested by any member of the family; but,
on the contrary, a narrow regard for self,
and looking to him only that he might
supply the means Of selfgratilication.
No wonder, from the pressure which was
on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly dis
conraged. He retired ca,ly and sought to
ind that relief from mental di<quietude in
sleep which he had vainly hoped COR in the
bosom ofhis family. But the whole night
passed in broken slumbcr and disturbing
dreams. From the chccrlcss morning mca'.
al which he was reminded of the ouarter,s
bill that must te paid, Of the Goals and
flour that were out, and Of the necessity of
supplying Mrs. Walcoi,'s empty purse, le
went forth to meet the difficulties of ano,h
er day, faint at heart, AMI almost hopeless
OF success. a confident spirit, sustained i,y
home affections, would have carried him
through; bnt, unsupported as he was, the
burden was too heavy for him. and he sank
under it. The day that opened so unpro-
p'tIousIy, closed upon Linn ruined man /.
Let us look in for few moments upon
Mr.. Freeman, friend and ncighbor of NJ.
Wa'cott. He, also, had come h, me weary.
dl>pirited, and almost sick. The trials Of
the day had been unusually severe, and
when he looked anxiously forward to scan
the future, not even a CLAM Of light was
seen along the black horizon.
As he stepped across the threshold Of
his dwelling, pang shot through his heart,
Tor the thought came, "How slight the
present hold upon all these comforts g.
Not for himself but for his wife and chill
drcn was the pain.
"Father's GOMEZ" cried glad little voice
on the stairs, the moment his football sound
cd in the passage; then quick, pattering
feet were heard d-and then a tiny form was
springinc into his arms Before reach
ing the ing room above, Alice, the cll-
est daus -sr, was by his side, her arm
drawn fopdly within his, and her loving
eyes lifted to his face.
"Arc YOU not late, dear 2" 1t was the
gentle voice Of Mrs. Freeman.
"Mr. Freeman could not trust himself to
answer. He was too deeply troubled in
spirit to assume at the moment, a cheerful
tone, and he had no wish to sadden the
hearts that loved him, by letting the dc
preston from which he was susf.ripo be-
come too close y apparent. But the eyes Of
Mrs. Freeman saw quickly below the sur
face.
"Arc you not well, Robert 2" she inouir-
ed tenderIy, as he drew his large armchair
toward the center Of the room.
"a little headache" he answered, with
slight evasion.
Scarcely was Mr.. Freeman seated ere a
pair Of hands was busy with each foot. re-
moving gaiter and shoe, and supplying their
place with soft slipper. There were none
the household who did not feel happier for
his return, nor one who did not seek to rem
der him some kind Office.
1t WAS impossible, under such burst of
heart-sunshine for the spirit Of Mr.. Free
man longto remain shrouded. Almost i'm
Perceptit,y to- himself gloomy thoughts
gave place to moro cheerful ones, and by
the time tea was ready, he had half forgot
ten the fears which had SO haunted him
through the day.
But they could not be held back alto
gether, and their existence was marked, du-
ring the evening, by an unusual silence aud
abstraction of mind. This was observed by
Mrs. Freeman, who, more than half suspec.
ting the cause, kept BACK from her husband
the knowledge Of cenaio matters about
which she had intended to snsak IN hin,