The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-11-18


But the whole night passed in broken slum,
Der and disturbed dreams. From the cheer
less morning meal, at which he was reminded
OF the quarters bill that must bs paid, OF tn.
Goals and -four that we're cut, and Of the ne.
cessity of supplying Mss. Waleot's empty
! purse, he went forth 10 meet the difficulties
Of another day, faint 1t heart, almost hope.
less Of success. A confident spirit, sustained
by home affections, would have carried him
through; but unsupported as be was, the
burden was too heavy for him and he sank
under it. The day that opened 80 unpropi-
| tiausly closed upon him . ruined man!
| Let US look in for few moments upon Mr..
Freeman, a friend and neighbor Of Mr.. Wal
cot. he also had come home weary, dispirit-
ed and almost sick. The trials Of the day
had bean unusually severe, and when be
looked anxionsly forward to scan the future,
not even CLEAN OF light was seen along the
black horisop.
As he stepped across the threshold OF his
dwelling pang shot through his heart, for
the thought came, elbow slight the present
hold upon all these comforts" Not for
himself, but for his wife and children, was
the pain.
Gathers come cried glad little voice
on the stairs, the moment his football sound
ed IN the passage; then quick, pattering feet
were heard, and then a tiny form was spring
ing into his arms. Before reaching the sit.
ting room above, Alice, the eldest daughter
was by his side, her::arm drawn fondly within
his, and her loving eyes turned to his face.
"Are yon not late, dear ?n |. was the
gentle voice OF Mrs. Freeman.
Mr.. Freeman could not trust himself to an
swer. He was too deeply troubled in spirit
to assume at the moment cheerful tone. and
he had no wish to sadden the hearts that
loved him, by letting the depression from
which he was suffering become too clearly ap-
parent. But the eyes of Mrs. F. saw quickly
below the surface.
''Are you not we'll, Robert ?" she inquired.
tendcrly, aa4Ae drew his large arm. chair to-
ward the center of the room.
ga little headache" be answered, with
slight evasion.
Scarcely was Mr.. Freeman seated ere a pair
OF hands, was busy with each foot, removing
CATER and shoes and supplying their place
with soft slipper. There was not one in
the household who did not feel happier for
his return, nor one who did not seek to rem
der him some kind office.
II was impossible, under such burst Of
heart sunshine, for tho spirit of Mr.. Freeman
long TO remain shrouded. Almost impercep-
tibly to himself gloomy thoughts gave place
to more cheerful ones, and by the time
tea was ready, no had half forgotten the
fears which had so haunted him through the
day.
But they could not be held back altogether
and their existence was marked, during the
evening, by an unusual silence and abs on
OF mind. This was observed BY Mrs. Free
man, who, more than half suspectinp the
| cause, kept back from her husband the knowl-
edge OF certain matters about which she had
intended to speak to him, for she feared they
would add 30 his mental disquistude. Du-
ring the evening she cleaned, from some.
thing he said, the real cause OF his changed
aspect. AT once her thoughts commenced
running in new channel. By few leading
remarks she drew her husband into conyer-
sation on the subject Of home expenses, and
the propriety Of restriction in various points.
Many things were mutually pronounced su-
perauous, and easily to be dispensed with !;
and before sleep fell soothingly upon the
heavy eyelids of Mr.. Freeman that night,
an entire change in their style Of living had
been determined apon--a change that would
reduce their expenses onehalf.
81 see light ahead, - were the hopeful words
OF MIR. Freeman, rs he resigned himself to
sumber.
With renewed strength OF mind and BODY,
and confident spirit, he went forth the next
day--a day that he had looked forward to
with fear and trembling. And it was only
through this renewed strength aud confident
spirit that he was able to overcome tho diff. .
cultles that doomed up, mountain high, before
him. Weak dependency would have ruined
all. Home had proved HE tower Of strength
his walled city. Strengthened for the con-
hlct, he had gone forth again into the world,
and conquered in the struggle.
II see light ahead' gave place to "The
morning breakethl"