Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-27

to work and to wait as he should be; and
like many Of his class, neglected the pearls
that lay here and there along his lifc-paths,
because they were inferior in value to those
he hoped to find just a little way in adj
vance. The consequence was, when the
days excitement was over, his mind fell In
to a brooding state, and fingered over It's
disappointments, or looking forward with
falling hope in the future-for hope-in
many things, had been long deferred. And
so he rarely had smiles for home.
"Take that home with you, dear" wills
pcred Mrs. Lewis, as they moved along the
passage, and before they had joined the
family. She had an instructive conscious
ness that her husband was in danger of re-
lapsing into his usual state.
The warning was Just in time.
Thank you for the words !" said he
Il will not forget them"
And he did not but at once rallied him
self, and to the glad surprise of Jenny, Will,
and Mary, met them with a new face, COW
cred with fatherly smiles, and with pleas
ant tones of their days employment. The
feelings of the children moved in quick
transition. They had not expected a greet
ing like this but the response was instant.
Little Jenny climed into her fathers arms.
Will came and stood by his chair, answer
ing his questions, while Mary, older by a
few years than the rest, leaned against her
fathers shoulder, and laid her white hand
softly upon his head, smoothing back the
dark hair, just showing a little frost, from
his broad, manly temples.
A pleasant group was this for the eyes
0GAlrs.ILaGs~as she-cAme forth from he1
chamber to the sitting room, where she haC
gone to lay off her bonnet and shawl anC
change her dress. Well did her husband
understand the charming look she CAV
him, and warmly did her heart respond t
the smile he threw back upon her.
"Words fifty spoken ale like apples 0
gold in pictures of silver" said Mr.. Lewis
speaking to her as she came in.
"What do you mean by that 2" askeC
Mary, looking curiously into her father
face.
"Motheru understands, rcplied Mr.. Levi:
smiling tenderly upon his wife.
Something pleasant mus have happen
ed" said Mary.
Something pleasant? Why do yo
say hat Z" asked Mr.. Lewis.
lyon and mother look SO happy" II
piled the child.
Sand we have cause to be happy" al
swered the father as he drew his arm tigh
ly around her, ain having three such goo
children"
Mary laid her cheek to his, and whispc
cd "If you are smiling and happy, de-
father, home will be like heaven"
Mr.. Lewis kissed her, but did not repl
He felt a rebuke in her words. But Il
rebuke did not throw a chill over his fe
ings-it only gave new strength to his pr
poses.
"Don't distribute all your smiles. Ike
a few Of the warmest and brightest
home" said Mrs. Lewis, as she parted W
her husband on the next morning.
j. kissed her, but did not promise. /
smiles were kept, however, and event
: saw them, though not for the outs
world. Other and many evenings saw
same cheerful smiles, and the same haT
: home. And was not Mr.. Lewis a bet
: and happier man? or course he was. a
: so would all men be, if they would t.
home with them the smiling aspect Il
q SO often exhibit, as they meet their fell
. men in business intercourse, or eXchar
! words in passing compliments. Take =
smiles and cheerful words home with
= husbands, fathers and brothers. Y
! hearts are cold and dark without them.