Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-11-04

Dehlnd the others. The daughter spoke
fretfully. Mr.. Walcott waved her aside with
his hand, and she went off itluttering and
pouting
1T IS notifying, said Mrs. Walcott,
little sharply; and | don't wonder that
Helen feels annoyed about it. The bill
has TO be paid, and don't see why it may
not be done as well first az last
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer
The words but added another pressure to the
heavy burden under which he was already
staggering. After a silence of some mo-
ments, Mrs. Walcott said
The Goals are all gomez
'Impossiblep Mr.. Walcott raised his
head and looked ineredulous. Il laid in
sixteen tons
L cant help it, if there were sixty tons
instead of sixteen; they are all gone. The
girls had a hard work to-day to scrape up
enough to keep the fire in.
There has been a shameful waste some
where said Mr.. Walcott, with strong en-
phasis, starting up and moving about the
room with very disturbing manner.
So you always say, when anything runs
out, answered Mrs. Walcott, rather tartIy
'The barrel of -four is gone also; but |
suppose you have done your part, with the
rest, in using it up
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair and
again seating himself, leaned back his
head and closed his eyes as at first. How
sad, and weary, and hopeless he felt The
burdens of the day had seemed almost too
heavy for him but he had borne up brave
ly. To gather strength for renewed
struggle with adverse circumstances, he had
come home. Alas that the process of ex-
haustion should still go on: that where only
strength could be looked for on earth, no
/ strength was given.
When the tea-bell rung, Mr.. Walcott
made no movement to obey the summons.
Come to supper said his wife, coldly.
But he did not stir.
Are you not coming to supper: sic
called to him, as she was leaving the room.
/ don't wish for anything this evening.
My head aches very much, he answered
In the dumps again, muttered Mrs.
/ Walcott to herself It's as much as nv
life is worth to ask for money, or to say
anything is wanted And she kept on her
way to the dining-room. When she re-
turned, her husband was sitting where she
/ had left him.
/ Shall bring you a cup of tea?' she
asked
No; don't wish for anything
What's the matter, Mr. Walcott
| What do you look so troubled about, as il
/ you hadn't friend in the world What
have | done to you?'
There was no answer, for there was not
a shade of real sympathy in the voice that
made the queries, but rather of querulous
| dissatisfaction. 4 few moments Mrs
Walcott stood behind her husband, but as
he did not seem to answer her questions
she turned from him and resumed the EN-
ployment which had been interrupted by
the ringing of the tea-bell
The whole evening passed without the
occurrence of single incident that gave
a healthful pulsation to the sick heart Of
Mr. Walcott. No thoughtful kindness wa.
manifested by any member of the family
but, on the contrary, narrow regard fol
self, and looking to him only that he
might supply the means of selfgratifcation
No wonder, from the pressure which wa.
on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly dis
couraged. He retired early, and sought t.
find that relief from mental disquietude in
sleep which he had vainly hoped for in the
bosom of his family But the whole nigh
passed in broken and disturbing dreams
From the cherries morning meal, at which
he was reminded of the quarters bill tha
must be paid, of the Goals and -four that
were out, and of the necessity of supplying
Mrs. Walcott's empty purse, he went fortl
to meet the difficulties of another day, fain
at heart, and almost hopeless of success
A confident spirit, sustained by home affcc
tions, would have carried him through, bu
unsupported as he was, the burden was to'
heavy for him, and he sank under it. TIL
day that opened so unpropitiously, close,
upon him ruined man.
Let us look in for few moments upol