Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-16
THE GAZETTE.
The TWO HOMES.

were neghbo aud Trends.
"This has been very hard day." said Mr..
Freeman. IL a gloomy voice. And AZ they
walked homeward they discouraged each 9TH
er, aud made darker the clouds that obscured
their whole horizon.
Good evening"" was at last said hurried
ly; and the two men passed into their homes.
Mr.. Walcott entered the room where his
vile and children were gathered, AID With
out speaking to any one. seated himself IN Il
chair. and leaDirg his head back, closed his
eyes. HIS ccuutenance wore sad, weary,
exhausted look. lie bad been seated titus for
only few minutes, when bis wife said IN
fearful voice:
"More trouble again"
"What is the natter" asked Mr.. Walcott,
almost starting.
John has been sent home from school.
"What?" Mr. Walcott partly rose from
his chair.
"He has heen suspended for bad conduct"
On, dear!" grosnei .Mr. Walcott, where
is he2"
up in his room; sent him there rs soon
as he came home. You'll have to do some
thing with him. He'll be ruined 1t he goes
on IN this way. Pm out Of all heart with
him"
Mr.. Walcott, excited as much by the man.
ner in which his wife conveyed unpleasant To-
formation as BY the information itself, started
up under the blind impulse Of the moment,
and going to the room y here Jobn had been
sent on coming home from school, punished
the boy severely. and this without listening
to the explanations which tue poor child
tried to make him hear.
Father" said the boy, with forced calm
ness, after the cruel stripes had ceased: Il
wasn't to blame, and if you will 90 with
me to the teacher, | can prove myself iuno-
cent"
Mr.. Walcott had never known his son to
tell an uutrutb, and the words Tell with re-
buSe upon his heart.
Very well, we will see about that" he au-
swered, with forced sternDess; and leavirg
the room he went down stairs, feeling much
more uncomfortable than when he went up
Again he seated himself in his large chair,
again leaned back his weary head and closed
before. As be sat thus. his eldest daughter,
in her sixteenth year, came and stood by him.
She held paper in her hand.
Father" he opened his eyes; there's my
quarters bill. Cau't have the money 10
IL ain afraid not" answered MIR. Walcot'
half in despair.
NEARLY all the girls will bring 10 their
money o.morrow, and 1t mOrtltes me 10 he
behind the others" The daughter spoke
fretfuily. Mr.. Walcott waVed her aside With
his baud, and she went off muttcrlDg aud
poutug.
at is mortifying" said Mrs. Walcott, lit
tie sharply; land don't ~ouder that Helen
feels annoyed about it. The bill has to be
paid, and l don't see why it may not be done
Us well FIRST as last.
To this Mr.. Weicott made no an9wer.-
The words but added aunother pressure 10
theheavy burden under which hewas already
st"gyering Alter silence Of some moments,
Mrs. Walcott said:
THE Goals are all gone"
"Impossiblew Mr.. Waloott raised his head
and looked lncredulous. IL laid in sixteen
tons"
IL cant help it if there were sixty tons in
stead Of sixteen; they are all gone. The girl
bad hard work today to scrape up enough to
keep the fire IN"
There's been q shameful waste some
where" said Mr.. Walcott, with s rong eUl-
pbasis, starting up ard moving about the
room with very disturbed manner.
80 you ALWAYS say. when any thing runs
ont" answered Mrs. Walcott, rather tartly.
"The barrel of Fl Dur s gone also; bot sup
pose you have done your part, with the rest,
in using it up"
Mr. Walco,t returned to his chair. and
seating bimself, leaned back his bead and
closed bis eyes as at frst. III W sad, and
weary and hopeless be fell! TIE burdens OF
the day bad seemed almost too heaVy for
hir,; bot he had borne up bravely. To gath
err strength for a renewed struggle WITH az.
verse circumstances, he had come hcDe.-
Ala! that the process Of exhaustion should
still go ou--that where ouly strength could
be looked tor on earth, no strength was gwen.
Wten the tea bell was rung, Mr.. Wa!colt
made no movement to obey the summons
Come to supper" said bis vile coldly.
Bat he did not stir.
Are you not coming to supper" she call
ed to him. as she was leaving the room.
II don't wish for anything this evening
My bead aches very much" be answered
10 the dumps again." mutiered Mrs
Walcott to herself It's as much as ones
lie ia worth TO ask for money, or to say any
thlpg is wanted" A. d she kept on Der way
to the dining-rocm. When che returned. her
husband Was still sitting where she had lett
him.
Shall I bring you cup Of ,ea?" she ask
ed
NO don't wish Cor any thing"
"Whai's the matter, MIR. Malcot? What
do YOU 10, k 30 troubled about. ss II you hadn's
friend in the world? What have doue to
you?"
There was no answer, for there was not a
shade of real sympathy in The voice that
made the queries, lat rather OF qnerelons DIS
satisfaction. \ few moments Mrs. alcott
stood behind Der husband, bot as he did not
seem inclued to answer questions, she turn
cd away from him. and resumed tue employ
ment which bad been interrupted by the
rir gipg OF the tea bell.
The whole evening passed without the &C.
currence OF single incident that gave IA
heathful pulsation 10 the sick heart OF MIR.
Walco,t. No thoughtful kindness was mani
tested by any member Of the family; but on
the contrary, narrow regard for self, and
To- king to him only. that be might supply
the means OF self qualification.
No wonder, from the pressure which was
on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly discour-
aged. He retired early, aud sought to find
III, re';ef from mental disGuietude in sleep