The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-11-11

ing away even one night, and could
not bear to think of any such thing
Just at this time came upon us the
wonderful news of the discovery of
the rich, unwrought mines Of gold in
California. Strange to say, listened
to the over-wrought tales OF the golden
land with a curious, absorbing atten-
ton. had wealth sufficient, and yet
| know not why, had an unaccount-
able, uncomfortable desire to see, for
myself, this land of thrilling adven'
turc, this EiDorado Of untoli mines OF
priceless treasure.
My poor wife was as deeply pain
ed as it was in her nature to be at any
thing, with the thought Of my leaving
home for a heightened journey ofpcr-
il and extreme danger. | went. 1t
would not be interesting to you to de-
tail the many adventures with which
| met, or the sullerings | had to un-
dergo.
That journey was my salvation.--
Mind and body were alike, speedily
restored. The dangers which occupi-
ed my whole attention in order to sue
cessiully avoid them, the excitement
of both travel and sojourn were what
needed, for they diverted my mind
from dwelling on scenes and events
which were fast making a wreck Of
me.
cared not for gold when reached
there, and yet was particularly lortu-
nate in obtaining it. | was the most
successful miner in our company. In
two years returned, richer man,
bat that was of little consequence
compared with the complete rcStora-
lion Of my mental and physical ener-
gcs.
Nv mind had now recovered its
early vigor and could look upon the
past with talmncss, and the future
with something Of my former hope.
My poor, patient, uncomplaining
Emily shed tears Of gratitude as she
welcomed me, and her parents were
ovrrjoyed at my perfect restoration to
health, such as had enjoyed when
they first knew me. Bat my poor
wife seemed only to have lived for her
husbands return. Just to greet him and
bestow upon him her !ondcst blessing;
for when the Autumn sun beams cast
| their slant shadows upon the resting
place OF Madeleine. they followed her
bed beside her child and gently lay
ing the green apron Of her earth
mother over her, left her there a com
panion of our cherub darling.
And now was alone again, with
ont wife or child, in the home | had
once enjoyed making so very beauti-
| fuI, and it was beautiful. Burnside
cottage was renowned for its lowell.
ness and no one could pass it without
his eye being closely, and lingcrngly
attracted to its beauty. And yet its
owner was a desolate man, desOlatc
almost before he had attained the
prime of his manhood. But | hac
now learned a lesson of indescribablc
value, the lesson the Great Teacher
had so long, by favor and affection
been calling me to attend to and un
derstand.
By the bedside of my dying Emily
the early hope and faith had felt il
the attonemcnts of u suffering Savior
came back TO me and wondered al
his patience and forbearancc with mt
in my long conrsc of csirangcmcn
and ingratitude. Many hours of swcc
converse did | enjoy with the dying
saint, the mceiIy resigned invalid
over whose pathway | felt lmust have
cast many IA heart shadow, not by any
open act Of unkinjneSs, but by dis
tancc and coIdncss in my intcrcours,
with her when the fits of gloom came
over my spirit, and by failing to ap
preciatc, as it deserved, her constant
and unwcaried Kindness to me. Or
that couch of suffering, while the sha
dcd night-lamp cast its Pickering ligh
around the room, barely revealing t,
me the dim outline Of her pale, wal
features and wasted FORM told hel
all my sad history. One by one open
ed to her inspection the folded pages
Of my heart and bade her read what
was written there.
81 am glad my dear husband yor
have told me all these things. Thal
though you have kept them till my al
most dying hour, you have not with
held your confidence till could nj
longer hear and appreciate. have
known there was some great, crushing
sorrow in your life, and had partial
lyguessed it, but | had foreborne to
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