Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1858-06-17
Whole No. l724

to his lips in vocal utterance.
When Crandall went home at nightfall, he
was still dreaming over the picture III his
mind, and the words "Thank you, DEAR"
were still echoing there in kind of lew mu-
SIC. lie was very much subdued in feeling
almost sad ; and there was. an air of languor
ABOUT him, as he came INTO the room where bis
wife was at work getting supper ready, that
she observed as something unusual.
Jane, take your fathers coat and hang it
up" said Mrs. CrandalI, to her Oldest daurl,.
| tcr.8
| The girl obeyed, but there was no affection
in her manner, as she moved in a listless sort
OF way, toward her father, and reached ont
her hand for his coat--Mr. Crandall gave her
the garment, saying, Thank you, dear"
The words were spontaneous, not of de-
sign; and spoken with tender utterance.
lie was but repeating the tones that were still
sounding i'll his memory.
What instant life seemed to quicken through
| the child's frame She gave one glance of
surprise into her fathers face, and then stepped
away with the coat Ike one pleased to render
a service.
MIR. Crantlall was surprised at himself; and
for all instant, half ashamed of what he had
done, as if it were weakness.
"Wl you have a glass of water ?" asked
Jane, coming back to her father
II You please"
Mr. Crandall wondered at his own reply al
most as much as his wife and children won.
dered. A cold, abrupt eyes" or enc" vas
his accustomed answer to nearly all ques-
tons
With what light feet did Jane trip from the
ROOM Tn twnkling she was back, with
cool glass of water for her father, who, as he
received it from her hand, said, Thank YOU"
TO the child, all unaccustomed to such an
acknowledgment FOR any service, these two
little words were felt to be sweet reward
The fathers altered manner and way Of
speaking was perceived by the children US
well as by their mother and, as if by magic,
the whole sphere of their lives seemed chan
ged.
"shal I bring down your slippers ?" asked
Jane to her father.
| Eyes, that's a good girl" he answered,
"my feet are aching in these heavy boots"
AS Jane left the room with springing step,
Mr.. Crandall commenced drawing off his
| boots They were no sooner laid upon the
floor, than two little fellows caught hold Of
/ them each DESTROYS of an approving word as
reward for service rendered their tired
father.
"Tll put one in the closet, and John the
other"
"What brave little men ~ exclaimed Mr.
Crandall, really pleased at heart, and mani
testing his pleasure in the tones of his voice.
I'm a thousand times obliged to you"
Jane returned with the slippers in few
moments, and STOPPING down. drew them upon
her fathers feet. When she raised up, with
checks glowing and eyes dancing in a new
! light, Mr. Craudall thought her face looked
really beautiful.
"'Thank you, dear" The words came now
really from his heart. go
Mrs. Crandall looked and listened wonder
ingly, while strange rgl,w pervaded her be-
som. What could be the meaning Of all this
What new spirit had come over her husband
In quiet, pleased way, the children gathered
around their father, zone climbing upon his knee
What have You been doing all day, Jim
my ?" asked Mr.. Crandall of the child.
Playing" was the simple answer.
Have you been a good boy ?"
"Not all the tiue," answered the child.
"Pm sorry Jimmy must try and be good
boy all the time What have you been play
ing ?"
-" Oh, every thing Horses and dogs, and
turning up Jack, as mother says"
Mr.. Crandail laughed out at the reply, say
ing, You turned up Jack mostly, suppose"
"Well, guess did"
Mr.. Crandall laughed again The spirit of
good-uature was transfused into every heart.
Even Mrs Crandall, usually in fretted state
of mind, felt its genial influence.
"Jinmy's been right good boy today"
said she, in an approving voice. His turn
ing up Jack hasn't amounted to much"
( Mrs Crandall was moving busily about, all
the time preparing supper. Jane, who never
willingly gave her mother any assistance, and
who was rarely called upon because she grum-
BLEED whenever asked to do any thing, nov said,
Mother, can't help you p
"Yes, dearo That dear" which had
fallen SO unexpectedly from the lips of her
husband, lad been echoing in the mind Of
Mrs. Crandal ever since, and now it came in
to utt erance quite as spontaneously as in the
case of her husband. :" Yes, dear, you may
finish setting the table, while ! dish up the
| supper"
4 Wondering almost as much at herself as at
Der husband, Mrs. Crandall, after seeing Jane
move with a pleased alacrity about the table.
went into the kitchen and soon had all ready.
4 Quite enough to satisfy that appetite had Mrs.
Crandall prepared but her thoughts had
tnrned upon something else-scmethng that
would give her the opportunity to ask him If
she should not get it for bis supper. Yes,
DEAR How she was longing for the words ut
tered in the gentle loving way they had a
little while before been spoken--but for her
ears alone. At last she turned from the Gre,
and going to the door Of the room, said very
kindly,
"Shall boil you couple of fresh eggs for
your supper, Peter?'
Yes, dear, if yon please"
How the wife's poor heart, which for wears.