The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-10-27

MIR. Walco;t. He also, had come home
weary, dispirted and almost sick. The
trials Of the day had been unusually Sc.
we're, and when he looked anxiously for.
ward to scan the future, not even CLEAN
OF light was seen along the black hori-
! Zon.
AS he stepped across the threshold Of
fis dwelling, pang shot through his
heart: for tie thought come, How
slight the present hold upon all these
comforts Not for himself, but for his
wife and children was the pain.
Fathers come ! cried glad little voice
on the stairs, the moment his footfal SCUM.
ded in the passage; then quick, patter-
ing feet were heard-and then n tinv
form was springing into his arms. BE.
fore reaching the sitting room ABOVE,
Alice, the eldest daughter was by his side,
her arm drawn fondly within his, and her
loving eyes lifted to his face.
Are YOU not late, dear = 1t was the
gentle voice Of Mrs. Freeman.
Mr.. Freeman could not trust himself to
answer. 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 de.
preston from which he was suffering, be-
come too closely apparent. But the ewes
OF Mrs. Freeman saw quickly below the
surface.
Are you not well, Roberto = she inquir-
ed, tenderly, as she drew his large arm
chair towards the centre of the room.
"A little headache he answered, with
a slight evasion.
Scarcely was Mr.. Freeman seated ere n
pair Of hands was busy with each foot,
removing gaiter and shoe, and supply ing
their place with soft slipper There
was not one in the household who did not
feel happier for his return, nor one who
d;d no, seek to render him some kind Of
flee.
II was impossible, under such burst
OF heart.sunshine for the spirit of Mr..
freeman lsng to remain shrouded. Al
most imperceptibly to himself gloomy
thoughts gave place to more cheerful
ones, and by the time tea was ready, he
had half forgotten the tears which had
so haunted him through the day.
But they could not be held back al
together, and their existence was marked.
during the evening, by an unusual silence
and abstraction Of mind. This was ob
served by Mrs. Freeman, who, more than
half suspecting the cause, kept back from
her husband the knowledge Of certain
matters about which she had intended to
speak to him, for she feared they would
add 10 his mental disquietude. During
the evening she CLEANED from something
he said the real ause Of his changed as.
pect. At once her thoughts commenced
running in a new channel. BY few
leading remarks she drew her husband
into conversation, on the subject Of home
expenses, and the proprieiy Of restriction
in varions points. Many things were
mutually pronounced superfluous, and ca.
sy TO be dispensed with and before sleep
fell soothingly on the heavy eyelds Of
MIR. freeman that night, an entire change
in their style Of living had been deter.
mined upon-a change that would re-
duce ;heir expenses ut least one half.
Il see light ahead were tue hopeful
words OF ar. treeRan, aS he resigned
himself 10 slumber.
With renewed strength Of mind and
body; and confident spirit, he went
forth the next day-a day that lie had
Looked forward to with fear and tremb
ling. And it was only through this re
newed and confident spirit that he W as
able to overcome the difficulties that
loomed up, mountains high, before him.
Weak dependency would have ruined
all. Home had proved his tower Of
s,rength-his walled city. Strengthened
for the conflict, he had gone forth again
into the world, and conquered in the
struggle.
4 see light ahead gave place to The
morning breaketh = Orange Blossoms.
A SToKY FoR BoYs.-"When | was
wears old says u.lI Gnny,n ,,o~