The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-03-11

" You think SO ?"
" know SO Only try it, dear, fo1
this one evening"
:" 1t isn't SO easy thing TO Put on ;
smiling face, Caddy, when thought is op
pressed with care"
1" 1t didn't seem to require much effor
just now," said Mrs. Lewis, glancing W
at her husband, with something of arch
ness in her lock.
| again shadow dropped down on the
face Of Mr.. Lewis, which was again part
| y turned away-and again they walkec
or in silence.
{" He is SO sensitive y Mrs. Lewis sale
to herself, the shadow of her husbands
face darkening over her own. | have tt
be as careful Of my words as if speaking
to a spoiled child.
No, it did not require much effort or
the part Of Dir. Lewis to smile as he passed
a few words lightly, with Mr. Edwards
The remark Of lis wife had net really dis
pleased him; it mad only set him to think.
ing. After remaining gravely silent, be.
cause he was undergoing brief seif-ex,
animation. Mr. Lewis said
You thought the emile given to Mr.
Edwards came easily enough :"
1t did not seem TO require an effort,
replied Mrs. Lewis
No, not much effort was required,
said Mr.. Lewis His tones were slightly
depressed. But this must be taken in
10 the account; my mind was IN certain
state Of excitement or activity that re-
pressed sober feelings, and made smiling
al casy thing. So we smile and arc gay
in company, at cost of little effort, be-
cause all are smiling and gay, and re feel
the common sphere Of excitement How
different it often is when We are alone, !
need net say. You, Caddy, arc guilty OF
tie sober face at home as veil as vour
husband" Mr. Lewis spoke with a ten
der reproof i'll lis voice.
"But The sober face IS caught from
yours ofteGcr than you imagine, my hus-
band, replied 1Irs. Lewis
"Are you certain of that. Caddy?"
"E cry certain. Nou make the sunlight
and shadow of our home. Smile upon US
give Us cheerful words enter into our
feelings and interests, and there will be
no brighter home in all the land \ shad-
ow on your countenance is a veil fer my
heart; and the SAME is true as respects
our children. Our pulses strike too near
ly in union not to be disturbed when yours
has lost is even beat"
Again Mr.. Lewis walked on N silence,
his face partly avertcd. and again his wife
began to fear she had spoken too freely
But he soon diapelled this impression, for
he said,
Il am glad, Caddy, that you have spo-
ken thus plainly. l only wish that you
had done SO before. see how it is. My
smiles Lave been for the outside world
the world that neither 10, cd nor regarded
me-and my clouded brow Tor the dear
ones at home, for whom thought and care
are ever living activities"
Nh and Mrs. Lewis were now at their
own door, where they paused moment,
and then went IN. Instantly. on passing
the threshold, Ir. Lewis felt the pressure
upon him OF his usual state. The hue of
his feelings began to change. The cheer
ful, interested exterior he put on for those
ne net IN business intercourse, began rap
idly 10 change, and sober hue to succeed
Like most business men, his desire for
profitable results was even far in advance
of the slow eyolltions Of trade; and his
daily history was history CT disappoint-
ments, III some measure dependent upon
his restless anticipations. lie was not as
willing to work and to wait as lie should
be; and, like many Of his class, neglected
the pearls that lay here and there along
his hte path, because they were inferior
in value to these he hoped to find just a
little way in advance. The consequence
was, that when the days business excite
ment was over, his mind fell into & brood
ing state, aad lingering over its disap-
pointments, or looked forward with fail
ing hope in the future, for nope, in many
things, has been long deferred. And so
he rarely had smiles for his home.
take that home with you, dear, whis-
pered Mrs, Lewis, as they moved along
the passage, and before they joined the
family. She had an instructive conscious.
ness that her husband was in danger of
relapsing into his usual state.
The warning was just in time.
"Thank you for the words" said he,
/" | will not forget them"
And he did uot; but at once rallied
himself, and to the glad surprise of Jen-
ny, VII. aud Mary, met them with a new
face, covered with fatherly smiles, and
with pleasant questions, in pleasant tones,
of their day employments. The feelings
of children move in quick transitions.
They had not expected q greeting Ike
this; but the response was instant, Lit,
tie Jenney climbed into her fathers arms.
Will came and stood by his chair, answer
ing in lively tones his questions, while
Mary, older b. few years tkan the rest,