Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-08-06
lisnnio hirn.


at is hard to think Of her getting to be
a visitin' woman" said he, "and its clear it
amt right. Keep her At home, I've read in
the Bible, fold Richards Biblo knowledge
was somewhat confused, and bis quotations
varied slightly from tho scriptursl phrase
keepers at home, but it says too" he add
ed, like the true, SINCERE man, "that hus-
bands must set great storo by their wives,
and treat them well. won't SC, / Milli-
cent; III harness up and go for her tonight
and comm homo, III talk it oil over with
her, and tell her how bad it makes mo feel.
and il that won't do, rll--try something
else."
In accordance with his praiseworthy res
olution, he might have been seen. about
sunset, hitching his horse at Mr.. Browns
door; for strangely enough Mrs. Heath's
visits had all been made at the same place.
Going up to the door, ho stopped in amaze
mont at seeing bis wife in tho kitchen, lust
taking of a great wooden wash apron, and
putting down her sleeves which had been
rolled up for washing. He listened and
heard her say, as she took some money
from Mrs. Brown, won't be so that /
can do your washing again.
at has been a great favor to have You do
1T while | have been poorly" said Mrs.
Brown, "and / am glad to pay you for il.
This makes four times; and here's two dol
lers. lis just as well that you can't come
again, for | think l shall bo wOll enough to
do it myself"
"Two dollars-just the prico of the news
papor," exclaimed Mr.. Heath, as tho truth
flashed across his mind. Rather a silent
ride homo they had, till at length he said
81 never wa, so ashamed in my life"
"Ofwhat" asked tho wife.
"Why, to have you 60 out washin,' l
amt so poor as that comes to-"
"Well, | don't know replied his wife,
"when man is too poor 30 take ncwspa
per, his wife ought not to feel above going
out washing"
Nothing more was said on the subject at
that time, though some i'll feeling fingered
in tho hearts of each. Tho making up was
no mawkish scene of kissing, embracing and
crying such as romance writer's build their
useless fabrics with, but rs Mrs. Heath
was finishing her house hold duties for the
night, she said quietly
81 don't think 1 did quits right Richard"
"l don't think l did, either" responded
the husband; and so the spark was quench-
ed which might have become n scathing
flamo, blighting all the domestic peace un-
der their humble roof.
AT last the long voyage is almost ended,
and the sailors talk only of homo now
They talk of those they are to meet, oi
their wives and children to whom THEN
thoughts have so long wandered during
these three years of absence. They won
dor if tho young sailor, Alfred Heath, who
lies so sick, will ever see his homo again,
and with their rough tones subdued almost
to gentlenoss, they speak of his anxiety to
see his mother.
He is so hopelessly i'll that his hoart is
now where the worn spirit ever turns in its
hour of bitterest sorrow on its approach to
the unseen land-to God and his mother.
Family as his heart beats, it still throbs
with earnest desire for life. Dim MS his
keen eye has become, he fancies it would
brighten once more at tho sight Of his moth
er and his failing mind become cleared could
he lean on her breast.
With folded hands the youg sailor prays
his words are confused and indistinct tc
thpsse who listen, but all clear and earnest
are they to tho Great Listener above. And
when tho ship had reached her distant port,
and mingled voices arc all around the sick
sailor, his comrades bear him comfortably
to home--a miserable home--but better
to him than the rocking vessel in the sound
ing soa. "Now if could only see mother,
he murmured to the strangers round him.
She is sitting by the vine covered win
dow, patiently reading the shipping journal
and thinking meanwhile, Of her absent boy
thinking it was time for him to return, ant
hoping that he will never 60 to sea again
How quick the words catch her oyc--"Ar
rived, ship Banner, Lowell"
And it was week ago; he could have
been home by this time; che will come to.
night" she said joyfully, as she went to com
muncate the good news to her husband
They watched for him in vain that nigh
and then Mrs. Heath suggested what ne
mother ever failed TO suggest when the lonf
absence of child was unaccounted for-h,
must be sick; when night after night pass
ed, and they neither saw nor heard anything
Of Alfred, her anxiety would let hor rest NJ
longer.
"Wo viii go for him, or at least O.
whore we may hear of him." said Mr.. Heath
who now, as we'll as his wife, readily assent
ed.
Their simple preparation, for tho iourne,
were soon made, and with heavy heart
they proceeded in search of their son, Will
little hopes of gaining more satisfaction
than definite intelligence of his death.
1t was dark and rainy evening whel
they entered the city, and after an hou
spent in fruitless enquiries, they found tn
place whore Alfred he'd been carried. Lit
tie care had he received in the crowde,
boarding house. There was none of tn
neatness and order that shows better in
sick room than anywhere else. RougI
hands had roughly tended him, and pal
and deathlike as he looked, it seemed as
it mattered little what care he had now
In tho agony with which the parents her
over tho unconscious sleeper, and marke
tho sunken checks and wasted form. the,
was but one ray of comfort; they coul
watch over him--they should not hear
his death with the sad thought that non
l..