Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-16

hind her husband, but as he did not seem in
clined to answer questions, she turned away
from him, and resumed the employment which
had been interrupted by the ringing of the tes
BELL
The whole evening passed without the oc
currence of single incident that gave health
full pulsation to the sick heart of Mr.. Walcott
| No thoughtful kindness was manifested by any
member of the family but on the contrary, 6
narrow regard for self, and looking to him on
| ly, that he might supply the means of selfgrati
fication.
No wonder, from the pressure which was on
him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly discouraged
lie retired early, and sought to find that relief
from mertal disquetude in deep sleep which he
had yainly hoped for in the bosom OF his fami-
Ily. But the whole night passed in broken slum-
bers and disturbing dreams. From the cheer
less morning meal, at which he was reminded
of the quarters bill that must be paid, of the
Goals and -four that were ont, and of the neces-
sity of supplying Mrs. Walcott's empty purse
he went forth to meet the difficulties of another
day, faint at heart, almost hopeless of success
a confident spirit sustained by home affections
would have carried him through but unsup.
ported as he was, the burden VIZ too heavy FOL
ed so unpropitiously closed upon him ruined
mani
Let US look in for few moments upon Mr.
Freeman, friend and neighbor of Mr.. Walcott
He, also, had come home weary, dispirited and
almost sick. The trials of the day had been un-
usually severe, and when he looked anxiously
forward to scan the future, not even gleam ol
1;ck o1nnr,
AS he stepped across the Threshold of his
thought came GLOW slight the present hold
upon all these comforts" Not for himself but
for his wife and children was the pain.
Fathers come!" cried glad little voice on
the stairs, the moment his football sounded on
the passage; then quick, pattering. feet were
heard-and then tiny form was springiDg into
bove, Alice, the eldest daughter, was by his side,
her arm drawn fondly within his, and her loving
eyes lifted to his face.
'Are you not late, dear2" 1t was the gentle
voice of Mrs. Freeman.
Mr.. Freeman could not trust himself to an
swer. He was too deeply troubled in spirit to
assume at the moment cheerful tone, and he
| had no wish to sadden the hearts that loved him,
/
suffering become too clearly apparent. But the
eyes of Mrs. Freeman saw quickly below the
surface.
"Are you not well, Roberto" she inquired
tenderly, as she drew his large arm chair to-
| wards the centre of the room.
ga little headache" he answered, with slight
evasion.
Scarcely was Mr. Freeman seated ere pair of
L l.. Nth aon1,f f,nt
and shoes and supplying their place with soft
slipper. There was not one in the household
who did not feel happier for his return, nor one
who did not seek to render him some kind Office.
It was impossible, under such burst of heart
sunshine, for the spirit of Mr.. Freeman to re-
main long shrouded. Almost imperceptibly TO
himself gloomy though gave place to more e
cheerful ones, and by the time tea was ready,
he had half forgotten the fears which had so
haunted him through the day.
But they could not be held back altogether,
and their existence was marked during the even
ing by an unusual silence and abstraction OF mind
This was observed Jy Mrs. Freeman, who more
than half suspeoting the cause, kept back from
| her husband the knowledge of certain matters
about which she had intended TO speak to him,
for she feared they would add to his mental dis
ouietude. During the evening she CLEANED from
something lie said the real cause OF his changed
aspect. At once her thoughts commenced run
ming in new channel. By few leading re-
marks she drew her husband into conversation
on the subject of home expenses and the pro9ri-
ETY. of restriction in various points. Many things
were pronounced superhuous and easily to be
dispensed with, and before sleep fell soothingy
on the heavy eyelids of Mr. freeman that night
an entire change in their style of living had been
determined upon-a change that would reduce
their expenses at least one-half
Il see light ahead" were the hopeful words
of Mr.. Reeman, as he resigned himself y sum-
Der.
With renewed strength of mind and body and
with confident spirit he went forth to next
day-a day that he had looked forward to with
fear and trembling. And iNwas only through
this renewed strength and confident spirit that
he was able to overcome the difficulties that
loomed Up, mountain high, before him. Weak
dependency would have ruined all. Home had
proved his tower of strength-his walled city.
Strengthened for the conflict, he had gone forth
again into the world and conquered in the strug-
gle. -
81 see light ahead" gave place to "The mora
ing bresI !"- Orange Blossoms.