Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-12-09
From.the Journal Of Commerc'
Winter Evenings. =.

w III SCL GvCAA III . Se -'lll
The long winter evenings are now fast
approaching. Those who have attained to
years of maturity, look back upon the eve
nings at home, as the most delightful part
of their early life.
In the home of the opulent, no part of
the day can be so delightful, as the winter
evening. From their sumptuous evening
repast, the family withdraw to their par
lors, which are enlivened by the glow of
the fire, and the brilliant light Of the chan
delier. ....i.-. t.a.4 - xo,V
"Now stir the fire and close theshutters fast,
+ Letfall the curtains, wheel the sofa round"
.9- Father and Mother are seated in the
easiest chairs; before them are placed the
books they like best to read. s-'z sH
The little ones have their toys and sto-
nv books at hand. An older, loving sister
reads them; tells fairy tales; and helps
them build block house. 8Jl ,sag.eh ssf
i have no sympathy with those hard
hearted people who would Danish the little
darlings from the family circle. They are
the sunshine and Joy Of every household.
We need the influence of their pure, inno-
cent WAYS, to bring us back to the paths
from which We have wandered. When
they are tired, each receives good night
kiss, nurse takes them away, that they may
rest their little pattering feet and weary
bodies. Part of the evening is devoted to
music.
Pleasant, happy evenings at home, are
attainable by others than the wealthy
True, the parlor may be small. 1t may be
unadorned with painting or statuary. No
gilded mirrors may reflect back its cheer
fulness. The window may be screened
with unostentatious shades. But the fire
burns brightly; on a table in front of it,
stands a solar lamp. surrounded by books,
magazines and papers. The chairs may be
easy, even though tn y are not cushioned
with velvet. As the weary father seats
bimself in one, and surveys the quiet scene,
his heart goes ont in thankfulness that he
has peaceful home, loving wife and sweet
children to comfort him when the cares of
the day are over. The gentle wife reads
aloud to her husband. 70 f-8
The little ones amuse themselves, re-
ceiving ever and anon an approving smile
from their loving father: When their bed
time has come, they kiss him good night;
then kneeling at their mothers knee; re-
peat "Our Father who art in Heaven"
Precious babe, in long years after, when
that father and mother ara cold in
death, perchance the memory Of that even
ing prayer, and homes balowed associa-
lions, may save thee in the hour of tempta-
ton.
: To home still more humble, comes
the weary laborer. Toll may have hard
ened his hands; but love has softened his
heart. ..s--.,.f c-.t f,,. -, 20
Parlor, dining-room and kitchen are
comprised in one. But woman's ingenuity
when guided by love, often brings order
out of choas. The cooking stove is bright
ly polished. The chairs stand round the
wall in solemn dignity. At one side of
the room the table is drawn out;- on neat
white cloth the evening meal is spread. In
the centre burns tall candle, displaying
to the best advantage the housewives pro-
ficiency in the culinary department.
Perched on chair, up at the window,
are two little ones, peering out into the
darkness, to see if papa is coming. In the
cradle, baby is growing and stroking the
kitten Which lies sleeping in her lap.
In a little while the welcome step is
heard; the door opens to receive the ex-
pected one; smiles and kisses greet his en-
trace.
After tea, while mother clears away the
table and puts things in order, the little
ones entertain their father with an account
of bady's cunning ways and pussy's playful
capers: 'a i+ 'la -i' .'''
When the little ones are hushed to sleep;
the careful mother seats herself, work bas-
ket in hand, that she may either make new
or repair old clothing for the Children
Her husband reads aloud, either from the
weekly newspaper, or book from the circu-
lating library. Their joys are simple, but
to them sincere and satisfying. :
Perhaps no time is more trying to the
widowed heart, than the long winter even
ings. The glowing hearth, the bright lamp;
the easy chairs, and interesting books, bring
viv;dly to mind the loved one, now no
more.
One other there is, for whom the long
evening is naught but a renewal of heart
aches. The neglected wife.
At the tea table she exerts herself to
her husband, and tries also to in
Ierest him in her plans for the children.
But in vain; the moment his mea! is swal-
lowed, he seized bis hat to rush down
steet. -- 49,. E-+ III, s.sf
His wife lays her hand caressingly upon
his arm, says timidly, but lovingly, "Won't
my husband rest upon his sofa this even
ing, and let his wife read to him. He
,arelessly shakes off her hand, and says he
has an engagement. She stills the tumultu-
BUS beating of her heart, and follows him
10 the front door. As he goes out into
The darkness, she lays her gentle arm about
his neck, rests her head upon his shoulder,
and with deep sohs yelling up in her throat
says, "Come home early my dear husband"
If he is no. very hard hearted, be will give
her cold kiss, and say, "my dear, the
night air make, You sAirer," then he will
walk of, thinking how hard it is for man
o have wife who has the heroics.
When mamma comes back to the par
or, the little ones think her eyes must be
weak. She soon poreives that she is
watched. .,;..- ,l...-,... ..t.--
Then comes the agonizing thought, that