Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-07-08

as polite acknowledgment in manner
) as in words.
: Many other little instances of home
/ courtesies were observed by Crandall,
who left the house when his work was
/ completed, with a new impression oi
, life stamped upon his consciousness.
; The image of that pleasant home was
: fixed on his mind like a thing OF
! beauty. He had dreamed, family, OF
! such homes--or read of them in books;
but the reality was now before him.
The husband and father, whose pres
ence had frightened that home, he
knew, in a general way, as a thriving
man of business, who came, frequent
ly, to the establishment where he
worked.
His face wore, generally, grave
aspect-a little sour he had thought.
He had not given him credit for much
kindliness of feeling; and was, there
fore, the more impressed by wha. he
had seen.
The sweet, musical way in which
THANK you, dear!" had been said, re-
ciprocally, by mother and children,
many times, and on all occasions of
service rendered, no matter how small,
had found an echo in his mind, where
it was continually repeated, until,
Thank you, dearl" as he unused at
his work, came almost to his lips in
vocal utterance.
When Crandall went home at night
fall, he was still dreaming over the
picture in his mind and the words,
Thank you, dear!" were still echoing
there in kind of low music. He was
very much subdued in feeling, almost
sad; and there was an air of languor
about him as he came into the room
where his wife was at work getting
supper ready, that she observed as
something unusual.
Jane, take your fathers coat and
hang it up" said Mrs. Crandall to her
eldest daughter.
The girl obeyed, but there was no
affection in her manner, as she moved,
in listless sort of way, toward her
father, and reached out her hand for
his coat Mr.. Crandall gave her the
garment saying-"Thank you, dear"
The words were spontaneous, not of
design; and spoken with tender ut
terance. He was but repeating the
tones that were still sounding in his
memory.
What instant life seemed to quicken
through the child's frame! She gave
one glance of surprise into her fathers
face, and stepped away with the coat
like one well pleased to render a
service
Mr. Crandall was surprised at him
self; and, for an instant, half ashamed
of what he had done, as If it were a
weakness.
"Will you have glass of water?"
asked Jane, coming back to her father.
"1f you please"
Mr.. Crandall wondered at his own
reply almost as much as his wife and
children wondered. a cold, abrupt
yes or mo-" was his accustomed
answer to nearly all questions.
With what light feet did Jane trip
from the room In twinkling she
was back, with cool glass of water
for her father, who, as he received it
from her hand, said, Thank you"
To the child, all unaccustomed to
such an acknowledgment for any SER
vice, these two little words were felt
to be sweet reward.
The fathers altered manner and
way of speaking was perceived by the
children as well as by their mother;
and, as if by magic, the whole sphere
of their lives seemed changed.
..Shall bring down your slippers"
asked Jane returning to her father.
"Yes, that's a good girl" he an
swered, my feet are aching in these
heavy boots"
AS Jane left the room with spring
ing step, Mr.. Crandall commenced
drawing off his boots. They were no
sooner laid upon the floor, than two
little fellows caught hold of them,
each desirous Of an approving word as
reward for service rendered theil
tired father
"I'll put one in the closet, and John
, the other
"What brave little men!' exclaim.
ed Mr.. Crandall, really pleased al
heart, and manifesting his pleasure il
: the tones Of his voice. "I'm a thou
sand times obliged to you"
S Jane returned with the slippers in I
few moments, and STOPPING down
e drew them upon her fathers feet
: When she rose up, with cheeks glow
= ing and ewes dancing in a new light