The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-07
The Two Homes.

Two men on their way home, met at a
street crossing, and then walked on togeth-
er. They were neighbors aud friends
This has been a very hard day. said Mr..
Freeman, in very gloomy voice. And rs
they walked homeward they discouraged
each other, aud made darker the clouds tLat
obscured their whole horizon.
Good evening" was at last said hurried.
"; and The two passed into their homes.
Mr.. WaIcott entered the room where his
wife and children were gathered, and with
out speaking to any one seated himself in
a chair, and leaning his head back closed
his eyes. His countenancc wore sad,
weary, exhausted look. lie had been sea
ted thus for only few minutes, when his
wife said, in a fretfil voice:
More trouble again
whats the matter now! asked Mr..
Walcott almost startling.
John has been sent from homo from
school,
'Whatr Mr.. Walcott partly rose from
lis chair.
lie has b en- suspended for bad conduct
'Oh dear! groancd Mr.. WalcoIt;
Up in his room; ] sent him there when
he came home. You'll have to do some
thing with him. He'll be ruined if he goes
on in this way. I'm out Of all heart with
him.
Mr.. Walcott excited as much by the man
ncr in which his wife conveyed the unplcas.
ant information as by the information L.
self, started up under the blind impulse OF
the moment and going to the room where
John lad been sent on coming home from
school, punished the boy severely, and this
without listening to the explanations which
the poor child tried to make him hear.
Father said the boy, with forced calm
ress after the cruel stripes had ceased: q
wasn't to blame, aud if you will 90 Will
me to the teacher, can prove myself in
nocent.'
Mr.. Walcott had never known his sol
to tell an untruth, and the words fell with
rebuke upon bis heart.
Very well, we will see about tha',' j,
answered with forced sternness; and leav
ing the room he went down stairs, feeling
very much more uncomfortable than wheI
he went up. Again he seated himself il
his large chair, and leaned back his wear,
head and closed his heavy eyclids. Sad
der was his face than before. As ho sa
thus, his eldest daughter, in her sixteent
year came and stood by him. She held
paper in her hand.
Father he opened his eyes: 'here's m
quarters bill. Can't have the money +
take to school with me in the morningp
Il am afraid not answered Mr.. Walcot
half in despair.
} Nearly all the girls will bring thci
money tomorrow, and it mortities me
be behind the others, The daughter spol
! fretfully. Mr.. Walcott waved her asid
; with bis hand, and she won't off muttcriu
and loutiDg.
!; lit is notifying said Mrs. Walcott,
little sharply; and l don't wonder tn
v Helen feels annoyed about it. The bi
has to be paid, and don't see why it m'
not be done as well at first as last
; To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer
!. The words but added another pressure
a the heavy burden under which he was q
ready staggering. After silence Of son
moments, Mrs. Walcott said:
The Goals are all gonc.'
1mpossibler Mr.. Walcott raised !
head and looked incredulous. Il laid
sixteen tons
Il can't help il, il there were sixty to
instead Of sixteen; they are all gone. II
girls had hard work to-day TO scrspe
enough 10 keep the fire in
II There's been shameful waste SON
: where said Mr.. Walcott, with strong OF
e. phasis, starting up and moving about .
room with very disturbed manner.