Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-03


Let US look in for a few moments upon
Mr.. freeman, friend and neighbor of Mr.
WalcOtt He also had come home weary, dis
pirited, and almost sick. The trials of the day
had been unusually severe, and when he looked
anxiOusly forward to scan the future, rot even
gleam of light was seen along the black hori-
ZOn.
AS he stepped across the threshold of his
dwelling, pang shot through his heart, for
the thought came" 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 football sounded
in the passage; then quick, Pattering feet were
heard-and then tiny f1rm was sprinsin into
his arms Before reaching the sitting room
above, Alice, the eldest daughter was by his side
her arm drawn fondly within his, and her Low
ing 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 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 apparent But the
eyes of Mrs. Freeman saw quickly below the
surface
care you not well, Robertl" she inquired ten
derly, as she drew his large arm chair toward
the center of the room.
"a little headache" " he answered with a slight
evasion.
Scarcely was Mr. Freeman seated ere pair
Of hands was busy with each foot, removing
gaiter and shoes and supplying their place with
a soft slipper. There was not one in the house
hold who did not feelhappier for his return, nor
one who did not seek to render him some kind
office.
1t was impossible, under such a burst of
heart sunshine, for the spirit of Mr.. Freemln
long to remain shrouded. Almost impercepti-
| bly, to himself, gloomy thoughts gave place to
more cheerful ones, and by the time tea was
ready, he 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 eve
ming by an unusual silence and abstraction of
mind. This was observed by Mrs. Freeman, who
more than half suspecting the cause, kept back
from her husband the knowledge of certain mat
ters about which she had intended to speak to
him, for she feared they would addtO his mental
disquietude.
During the evening she CLEANED from somes
thing he had said the real cause of his changed
aspect. At once her thoughts commenced run
ming in a new channel. BY few remarks, she
drew her husband into conversation on the sub
ject of home expenses and the propriety of re-
striction in various points. Many things were
mutually pronounced superfuous and easily to
be dispensed with, and before sleep, fell sOoth-
ingly on the heavy eyelids of Mr. Freeman that
night, an entire change in their style of living
had been determined upon-a change that would
reduce their expenses one half
81 see light ahead" were the hopeful words
of Mr. Freeman, as he resigned himselft to slum-
ber
With renewed strength of mind and body,
and a confident spirit, he wont forth tho most
day-a day that he had looked forward TO with
fear and trembling. And it was only through
this renewed strength and confident spirit that
he was able to overcome the difficulties that
loOmed up, mountain high, before him. Veal
dependency would have ruined all. Home haC
proved his tower of strength-his walled city
Strengthened for the conflict, he had gone fOrtl
again into the world and conquered in the strug
! gle.
q see light ahead" gave place to eth
morning :"