Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-11-10
THE wO HOMES.

Two men on their ways homo, met Vt q
street crossing, aud then walked on lOgesh
er. Tbey we're neighbvs and friends.
This has been q very bard day said
Mr. freeman 10 gloomy voice. And II
they walked homewsrd they discourage
each other, and made darker The cloud,
that obseured 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
bis wife aud children we're gathered, and,
without speaking to any one, seated him.
self in chair, and leaning bis bead back
cIUsed his eyes. His countensnce wore a
sad, weary, exhausted look. He bad beeu
seated thus for only few minutes, when
hls wife said in fearful voice,
More trouble agsin.'
what is the matter now I asked Mr..
Walcoti, almost starting.
John has been sent home from school.
'WhatP Mr.. WslcOtt partly rose from
bis chair.
He has been suspended for bad conduct.
'Oh, dear' groaned Mr.. W., where is
hei'
up in his room; sent him there as
soon as he came home. You'll have to do
something with him. He'll be ruined il
be goes on in this way. rm out Of all
heart with him.
Mr.. w., excited rs much by the man.
ner in which his wife conveyed unpleasant
information as by the information itself,
started up, under the blind impulse of the
moment, and going to the room where
John had been sent on coming home from
school, punished the boy severely, and this
without listening to the explanations which
the poor CHILD tried 10 make him hear.
Father said the boy, with forced calm,
ness, after the cruel stripes had ceased; 4
wasn't to blame, and if you will go with
me to the teacher, can prove myself in-
Gocent.'
Mr.. w. had never known his son to tell
an unlruth. and the words fell With re-
buke upon his heart.
Very we'll, we will see about that he
answered with forced sternness; aud leav-
Jog tie room he went down stairs, feeling
much mole uncomfortable than VIXEN be
went up. Again he seated himself in his
large chair, aud again leaned back his wea.
~ head and closed his heavy eyelids. -
Sadder WAS bis face than before. AS he
sat thus, the eldest daughter, in her six
teenth year, came and stood by him. She
held a paper in her hand.
Father he opened bis eyes; 'here's
my quarters bill. Can't have the mon.
ey to take to school with me in the morn.
ingf
i am afraid not, answered Mr.. W., half
10 despair.
Nearly all the girls will bring in their
money tomorrow, and it mortifes me to
Do behind the others. The daughter spoke
'retfulIy. Mr.. WAlcott waived her aside
with bis hand, and she went off mutteIing
AID pouting,
1t is mortifying,' said Mrs. W., little
sharply; and l don't wonder that Helen
feels annoyed about it. The bill has to
be paid, and [ don't see why it may not
De done first as last
10 this MIR. w. made no answer. The
words but added another pressure to the
leayy burden under which he was already
staggering. After silence of some mo.
nsnIs, Mrs. Walcott said:
'The Goals are all gone
ImpossibIe!' Mr.. W. raised his head
md looked incredulous. i laid in six.
cen TONS
i can't help it if there were sixty tons
ustead Of sixteen; they are all gone. The
,irIs had hard work to-day to scrape up
nough TO keep the fire in
There's been shameful waste some.
There,' said Mr.. W., with strong empha.
is, starting up and moving about the room
Tith very disturbed manner.
80 you always say when anything runs
Ut answered Mrs. WalcOtt, rather tartly, |
The barrel Of -four is gone also; but sup |
'ose you have done your part, with the
est. in using it up
Mr.. Walcott returned to bis chair, and,
% ain seating himself, leaned back bis head |
md closed bis eyes, as at first. How sad
nd weary, and hopeless he felt! The
,urdsrs of the day had seemed almost too
leavy for him; but be had borne up braye>
y. To gather strength for a renewed
truggle with adverse circumstances, he
lad come home. Alas that the process
f exhaastation should still go on--that
phere only strength could be looked for
n earth, no strength was given.
When the tea bell was rung MIR. WaIcott
nade no movement to obey the summons.
Come to SUPPER said bis wife, coldly.
But be did not stir.
Are you not coming to supperP she
allied to him as she was leaving the room.
i don't wish for anything this evening.
Iy head aches very mucb,' he answered.
In tue dumps again. muttered Mrs. W
0 herself. Its as much as ones life is
Vorth to ask for money, to say anything
! wanted And she kept on her way to
be dining room. When she returned her
husband was still sitting where she bad left
ia. f4
Shall bring you cup of teaf she
sked /. sw t .....f. .t..