The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-08-04
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face darkening over her own. I have
to be ss careful Of my words as if talk
ing to a spoiled child
No, it did not require much effort on
the part of Mr.. Lewis to smile as he
passed few words lightly with Mr.
Edwards. The remark Of his wife had
not really displeascd hint had only
set him thinking. After remaining
gravely silent, because he was undergo
ing brief selfexanination, Mr.. Lewis
said -...
You thought the smile given to Mr..
Edwards came easily enough?' a
1t did not seem to require an effort
replied Mrs. Lewis. ...
| Not 90 much effort was required
said Mr.. Lewis, as his tones were slight
" depressed. But this must be tax en-
into the account: my mind was in GER
tain state ofexcitement, or activity, that
repressed sober feelings, and made smil-
ing an easy thing. So we smile and are
gay in company, at cost of little effort,
because all are smiling and gay, and we
feel the common sphere of excitement.
How different it often is when we are
alone, I need not say. You, Carry, are
guilty of the sober face at homo as we'll
as your husband Mr.. Lewis spoke
with tender reproof in his voice.
But the sober face is caught from
yours oftener than you imagine, my
husband replied Mrs. Lewis.
Are you certain of that. Carry"
Very CERTAIN she replied. You
make the sunlight and the shadow of
your home. Smile upon us; give US
cheerful words; enter into our feelings
and interests, and there will be no brigh-
ter home in the land. A shadow on
your countenance is a veil for my heart,
and the same is true as respects our chill
dren. Our pulses strike too nearly in
unison not to be disturbed when yours
has lost its even beat
|, Again Mr.. Lewis walked on in 81
lence, his face partly averted, and again
his wife began to fear that she had spo-
ken too freely; but he soon dispelled this
impression.
1 am glad. Garry, said he, that you
have spoken thus plainly. l only wish
that You had done so before. I see how
it is. My smiles have been for the out
side world-ior the world that neither
loved nor regarded me-and my cloud
ed brow for the dear ones at home, for
whom thought and care are ever living
activities. ..
Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis were now at their
own door, whore they paused moment
| and then went in. Instantly, on pas
sing his threshold, Mr.. Lewis felt
the pressure upon him Of his usual
state. The cheerful, interested exterior
put on for those he met in business in
tercourse began rapidly to change. and
sober hue to succeed. Like most bus-
ness men, his desire for profitable results
was even far in advance of the slow
evolutions of trade and his daily his
tory was history Of disappointment,
in some measure dependent upon his
restless anticipations. He was not as
willing to work and to wait as he should
be; and, like many of his class, neglec-
ted the pearls that lay here and there
along his daily path. because they were
inferior in value to those he hoped to
find just little way in advance. The
consequence was that when the days
business excitement was over, his mind
fell into a brooding state and fingered
over its disappointments, or looked for
ward with failing hope into 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 whis-
pered Mrs. Lewis as they passed along
the passage, and before they had joined
the family. She had an instructive con-
sciousness that her husband was in
danger of relapsing into his usual state.
The warning was just in time.
THANK you for the words!' said he.
4 will not forget them
And he did not; but at once rallied
himself, and, to the glad surprise of
Jenny, George and Mary, met them
with a new face, covered with fatherly
smiles, and with pleasant questions, in
pleasant tones, of their days employ
ments. The feelings of children move
in quick transitions. They had not ex-
pecte1 a greeting like this, but the re-
sponse was instant. Little Jenny climbed
into her fathers arms; George came and
stood by his chair, answering in lively
tones his fathers questions; while Mary
older by 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 little frost from his broad,
manly temples.
A pleasant group was this for the
eyes of Mrs. Lewis, as she came forth
to the sitting room from her chamber,
where she had gone to take off her bon
net and shawl, and change her dress
Well did her husband understand the
meaning look she gave him, and warm
ly did her heart respond to the smile he
thre W back upon her.
"Words fitly spoken are like apples
Of gold in pictures of silver said Mr..
Lewis, speaking to her as she came in.
"What do you mean by that ?" asked
Mary, looking curiously into her fathers
face
"Mother understands" replied Mr..
Lewis. smiling tendery upon his wife.
Something pleasant must have hap
pened, said Mary.
Something pleasant? Why do you
mean to 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, "in having three
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