Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-03-12


many day in preparing pleasant sur
prise for her husband. The work wa,
finished at last; and now she awaited hi,
return, with a heart full of wa, m emotion
dre..ing-gown, and pair of elegant,
embroidered slippers, wrought by he
own skilfull fingers, were the gifts witt
which she intended to delight him.
Wha. = troop Of pleasant fancics were
in her hear. How, almost impaticntly
did she wait for the coming twilight
which was to be dawh, not approaching
darkness to her
At last she heard the .."ns OF he'
husband in the passage. and het rGlse'
.eaped with Aa.tering delight. Lis>
bird upon the wing, she almost dew
down to meet him, impatient for the kiss
that awaited her.
To men in the worll of business. few
days PASS without their disappointments
/ and perplexities. 1t is mems business
/, bear this in manly spirit. They
form bu, portion of lifc's disoi pline.
and should make them stronger, braycr.
and more enduring. unwiscly. and VIC
may say unjustly, too many men fail to
leave their business and troubles in their
work shops or counting houses. at the
days doclinc. They wrap them mp in
bundles and carry them home 20 shadow
/ their household.
| /, was ~ with the young husband on
this occasion. The stream of business
had taken an eddying whlrl, and thrown
his vessel backwards ltstcad of onwards,
for brief space: and though it was still
in the current, and glidin; safely onward
again. the Jar and disappointment had
frctted his mind severely. There was no
hear. r.-warmth in his kiss he gave his wife
not because he had let care cverstadow
love He drew his arm around her; but
she was CONSCIOUS of diminished pres
sure in tina, embracing arm.
Arc YOU not well > she inquircd.N>.
With what tender concern was tho
question asked
Very we'll. he replied.
lie nigh, be in body. but not in mind;
that was plain; for his voice was f'r from
being cheerful.
She played and sang his ftyori,e pieces
hoping to restore. by the charm Of nv
sic, brightness to his spirit. isut she
was conscious OF only pirtial SUCCESS
rhere~was still gravity in his manner
never perce,vcl before. At tea-iimc
she smiled up0h>him 50 swectly across
the table, and talked 10 him on suca at.
trac,iyc themes. that the bright express
ion returned TO his coaatcna.ca. aud h
looked as happy as she could d sire. -
From the tea table they returned 10
their pleasant parlor. And nov that the
time had come for offering her gift. and
receiving the coveted reward OF glad
surprise, followed by sweet k:ssas and
loving words. Was she selfish? Did
she think more Of the reward th1n OF the
pleasure she would bcs,ow: But tina.
is questioning too closely.
Il will be back in moment, she said
passing from the room, and she went
lightly up the stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her
secret. o. rather the possession of a Sc
cretwiih which her husband WIS to be
surprised. Scarcely had her loving face
faded from before his eyes, when thought
! returned, with a single bound, to an un-
pleasant event cf the day; and he waters
Of his spirit were again troubled. He
hal actually risen and crossed the floor
once or twice. moovcd by restless con
Germ, when his wife came back with the
dressing gown and slippers. She was
trying to force her countenanee into a
grave expression, to hold back in truan'
circles around her lips. when single
glance at her husbands face told her that
the spirit, driven away by the exoTci7m
of her love. had returned aIaia to his
bosom. He looked at her sobcTly, as she
came forward.
What are these: he asked, almost
coldly, rcpressing surprise, and affecting
an ignorance that he did not feel in re-
gard to the beautiful presents she held
in her h nls,
They arc for you, dear, was the re-
ply. i made. them.
For me y he exclaimed. Nonsense
What do want with such j,mcraekery:
This is wonan's wear. Do YOU think |
would disfsurc my feet with embroidcr-
ed slippers, or dress up in that gown !
Pat them away. dear. Your husband
is too much Of man to robe himselfin
CAV colors, like clown or an actor.
And he waived his hand with an air ot
contempt.
There was a cold, sneering manner
about him. partly affected and partly
real-the result of his uncomfortable
state of mind. Yet he loved his sweet
! wife, and would not, of set purpose
, have wounded her for the world.
This unexpected repulse this crue
reception other present. over which She
h ID wroght patiently in golden hope, 'ol
many days-this dashing to the ear'l
of her brimfull cup of Joy. Just as i
touched her lips, was more than the fone
Young wife could bear. To hide the
j., tears that came rushing to her eyes sh'
! turned away from her husband; and, t.
conceal the soos she had no power to re
press, she went almost hurriedly from
a the room, and going back to the cham
a ber from which she had brought TIN
| present. she lrid it away out OF sight IN
! closet. Then covering her face with he
hands, she sat down and stIoVe Wit!