The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-27
and tone, with power in them to shadow
the heart of his child.

\ young wife had busted herself for
many days in preparing pleasant sur
prise for her husband The work was
finished at last and now she awaited his
return, with heart full of warm emotions
\ dressing gown, and pair Of elegantly
embroidered slippers, wrought by her own
skillful fingers, were the gifts with which
she meant to delight him. What troop
of pleasure faneies was in her heart How
almost impatiently did she wait for the
coming twilight, which was to be dawn
not approaching darkness to her.
at last, she heard the step of her hus-
band in the passage, and her pulse leaped
with futtering delight. Like bird up
on the wing, she almost flew down to meet
him, impatient for the kiss that awaited
her.
To men in the world of business, few
days pass without their disapPointments
and perplexities. 1t is mems business to
bear this in a manly spirit, They form
but portion oflifes discipline, and should
make them stronger, Drawer, ard more en-
during. Unwlsely, and we may say un-
Justly, too many men fail to leave their
business cares and troubles in their stores,
workshops or counting rooms. at the days
decline, They wrap them in bundles and
carry them home to shadow their house
holds.
1t was SO with the young husband on
this particular occasion. The stream of
business had taken an eddying whir!, and
thrown his vessel backwards, instead Of
Towards, for a brief space, and though it
was still in the current, and gliding safe
| y onward against it, the jar and disap-
pointment had tret5ed his mind severely
There was no heart warmth in the kiss be
gave his wife, and because he had let care
overshadow love He drew his arm around
her but she was conscious Of diminish
ed pressure in that embracing arm.
4" Are you not well p
With what tender concern was the ques-
tien asked
"Tery we'll"
He might be in body, but not in mind
that was plain; for his voice was far from
being cheerful.
She played and sang her favorite pieces,
hoping to restore, by the charm Of music,
brightness to his spirit But she was
conscious Of only partial success. There
was still a gravity in his manner never
perceived before. At tea-time she smiled
upon him SO sweetly across the table, and
talked to him on such lttactive themes,
that the right expression returned to his
countenance; and he looked as happy as
she could desire.
From the tea-table, they returned to
their pleasant parlor. And now the time
has come for Offering the coveted reward
of glad surprise, followed by sweet kisses
and loving words Was she selfish ? Did
she think more Of reward than Of the
pleasure Of she would bestow But that
is questioning too closely.
" will be back III a moment" she said !;
and, passing from the room, she went
lightly up the stairs. Both tone and
manner betrayed her secret, or rather the
possession of Il secret by which her husband
was to be surprised. Scarcely had her
loving face faded from before his eyes,
when thought returned, with a single
bound, to an unpleasant event Of the day !;
and the waters of his spirit were again
/ troubled. He had actually arisen, and
crossed the floor once or twice, moved by
restless concern. when his wife came
back with the dressing gown and slippers.
She was trying to force her countenance
into grave expression, to hold back the
smiles that were continually striving to
break in truant circles around her lips,
when single glance at her husbands
faco told her that the spirit driven away
by the exorcism of her love, had returned
again to his bosom He looked at her
soberly, as she came forward.
What are these ?' he asked, almost
coldly repressing surprise, and affecting
an ignorance In regard to the beautiful
present she held in her hands, that he
/ did not feel.
"They are for you, dear, l made them"
"For me? Nonsense What do |
want with such jimcrackery This is
woman's wear, Do you think l would
disfgure my feet with embroidered slip
pers, or dress up in calico gown! Put
them away, dear. Your husband is too
much of man to robe himself in gay
colors, like clown or an actor" And
he waved his hand with an air of contempt.
There was a cold snearing manner about
him, partly affected and partly real-the
real born Of his uncomfortable state of
mind. Yet he loved his sweet wife, and
would not, of set purpose, have wounded
her for the world.
This unexpected repulse-this cruel re-
/ ceptlon of her present, over which she had
wrought, patiently, in golden hopes, for
many hours-this dashing to the earth of
her brimful cup of joy, just as it touched
her lips, was more than the fond young
wife could bear. 70 hide the tears that
came rushing to his eyes, she turned away