Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-02-13

state. The hue of his feelings began
to change. The cheerful interested ex-
terror put on for those no met in BUSH
ness intercourse began rapidly TO
change and sober hue to succeed
Like most business men, his desire for
profitable results was even far in ad
vance Of the slow evolutions Of trade
and his daily history was a history OF
disappoitments, in some measure de-
pendent upon his rest ess anticipatlons.
He was not as willing to work ana to
wait as he should be and, like many of
his class, neglected the pearls that lay
here and there along his life paths,
because they were inferior in value to
those he hoped to find just a little
way in advance. The consequence
was that, when the days business ex-
citemcnt was ever, his mind fell into a
brooding state, and fingered over its
disappointments, or locke forward
with failing hope in the future-for
hope, in many things, had been long
deferred. And so he rarely had smiles
for his home.
+" Take that home with you, dear, "
whispered Mrs. Lewis, as they moved
along the passage, and before they had
Joined the family. She had an instlnc-
tive consciousness that her husband
was in danger Of rclapsing into his usu-
al state.
The warning was Just in time.
"Thank you for the words ~ said
he J" 1 will not forget them"
Al LS Al not hnt ut nnco ralliod
himself, and to the glad surprise Of
Jennie, Will, and Mary, met them with
new face, covered with fatherly smiles,
and with pleasant questions, in pleas
ant tones, of their days employments.
The feelings of children move in quick
transitions. They had not expected a
greeting like this but the response was
instant. Little Jennie climbed into her
fathers arms. Will came and stood
by his chair, answering in lovely tones
his questions, while Mary, older by a
few years than the rest, leaned against
her fathers shoulder, and laid her white
hand upon his head, smoothing back
the dark hair, just showing little
frost, from his broad, manly temples.
A pleasant group was this for the
eyes of Mr.. Lewis, as she came forth
from her chamber to the setting room.
where she had gone to lay off her bon
net and shawl and change her dress
Well did her husband understand the
meaning look she gave him; and
warmly did her heart respond to the
smile he threw back upon her.
s: Words fifty spoken are like apples
of gold in pictures Of silver D said Mr..
Lewis speaking to her as she camc
in.
"What DO you mean by that: {" ask
ed Mary, looking curiously into he,
fathers face.
/ Mother understands" replied Mr..
Lewis, smiling tenderly upon his wife.
"Somcthing pleasant must have hap
pened,'' said Mary.
Something pleasant? Why do you
say that :" asked Mr.. Lewis.
"You and mother look so happy
replied the child.
"And we have cause to be happy .
answered the father, as he drew his arm
tightly around her, i" in having three
such good children. %
Mary laid her cheek to his, and whis-
pered: elf you are smiling and hap
Ply, dear father, home will be like
heaven.o
MIR. Lewis kissed her but did not re-
ply. He felt rebuke in her words
But the rebuke did not throw a chill
over his feelings, it only gave new
strength to his purposes
"Don't distribute all your smiles
Keep few Of the warmest and bright
est for home," said Mrs. Lewis, as she
parted with her husband on the next
morning. He kissed her but did not
promise. The smiles were kept, how
ever, and evening saw them; though
not for the outside world. Other, and
many evenings saw the same cheerful
smiles, and the same happy home
And was not Mr.. Lewis a better and
happier man? Of course he was
And so would all men be, if they would
take home the smiling aspect they SO
often exhibit, as they meet their fellow
men in business intercourse, or exchange
words in passing compliments. Take
your smiles and cheerful words home
with you, husbands, fathers, and broth
ers. Your hearts are cold and dark
without them.