The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-30
Jflntellaueous..
Light in a Dark Place.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

There ere men who get into the habit oil
looking only upon the shodowed side OF
things. They fret themselves with loomy
forebodngs. They pr'phesy evil continual
ly. And when days Of darkness come, as
come they do in all lives, they sit down aud
soy that there will never be sunlight again.
Mr.. Watson was one Of this cIass--a
brooding, silent man, whose presence In his
family was always felt us the shadow OF
cloud that bid the pleasant sunshine. Mrs.
Watson, in the beginning OF their married
life, had been Of cheerful temper, but easi-
ly tOking the aspect Of what wns around her,
had gradually changed, until her mind was
us dark. hued Us that OF her husband. Little
things fretted them, and SO life became made
up Of series OF petty annoyances.
This was hot genial home for cbildrer,
though children came pressing into it, and
filling its dim cha mberS with discord instead
Of music. They did not grow beautiful, like
healthy pIants open to the sunshine, but
warmth, and culture.
And as there came rev causes OF gloom to
the mind OF MIR. Watson, in fore5odings es
to the future OF his children; and, in truth,
the promise was by no means lattering.-
TIE oldest toy wGs passionate and sell.wilI'
ed the second child, girl, fretfu and an.
moved with everything thut did not tow
smoothy; the third of the brood, perfect 1T
tie outlaw in his propensity to invade tie
rights of every member of the family; and
the baby, SO fond OF showing the strength oi
her lungs, that she cried through nearly all
her waking hours.
One nigh, late in Autumn, Mr.. ard Mrs
Watson sat alone, their children, alter an
unusually discordant time, having been
whipped all round, baby included, and put to
bed. Mrs. Watson had her sewing in her
hands, ard was bending close down over her
work, as il in the effort to lessen the capac
ity of her bosom for trouble, while her hus
band sat little turned from her, in moody
abstraction.
'Isometimes wish they'd never been born,
said Mr.. Watson, giving vent to his feelings
in low, monotonous tone Of voice.
There's little chuAco of their coming to any
good. | never saw such children. John
passionate temper will be certain to plunge
him, as q man, into scenes of violence ant
as for Dick, unless miracle prevent, he'll
turn out thief or a robber. He has no re
spect for the rights or property of others.'
Mrs. Watson answered only by long
deep sigh, as she bent still lower over he
work.
THAT Martin ia going to cheat me, be
lieve, after ALL Mr.. Watson's thought
were running in new direction.
you don't think so = His wife raised he
sober face, and turned towards him.
Il do think so. trusted him like bro
ther, and unless nm greatly mistaken, h
is about playing ME false, like villain
'How much is he indebted TO you now =
'Over six thousand dollars and il los
tha, cum, there's no hope for me. shall g
down like a mn thrown helpless in mi
ocean,
what hard thing it is TO live in thi
world sighed Mrs. Watson. III one wer
but safely out ofit!
.Or, II we had never been born,' said hi
husband. 1T is nothing but disappointment
sorrow, and pain, from the cradle TO ii
grave. And il aIl ended there, we mig
eroue on to the end, and then lie down
eternal rest. But there is still deep
mystery involved in the life beyond th'
there is in this. Who can know, with al
certainty, his state in the future. In
preacher tells US one thing. and that preac
er another, directly opposite ; so that, 1t DO
be right, all men must 60 to perdition.'
They had been talking In this way
some time, when the bell rang. A servs
came back from the door to say that one
,hei, neiehbors had called in and wished
see Mrs. Watson.
Poor Mrs. Jenkins is dying said
neighbor, as the two women met. 'and4
called to ask you 10 60 over with me-