Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1859-04-07
''Thank you, DEAR" said the mother.
Crandall turned and looked at the chill,

"Thank you, DEAR" said the mother.
Crandall turned and looked at the child.
Her countenance was tranquil and happy.
''Jane, I will take those scissors, if you
please?"
Crandall looked again. It was the mo-
ther who had spoken. One of the children
was sitting on the floor, busily engaged in
cutting out pictures. But she started up
and brought the scissors to her
mother.
..Thank you, DEAR" was the mothers
of the services, as in the
former case.
"Will you want them long?" asked the
child.
"No, dear, only few minutes then you
shall have them again"
The child stood patiently by her mothers
side until the scissors were not of use, and
then received them.
''Thank you," she said as she took them
from her mothers hand, and then danced
back, singing, to her place on the floor where
the pictures lay;
All this struck Peter Crandall as beauti
full and he sighed as the harsher image of
his own home intruded itself. While yet at
work, the husband and father came home.
His presence was hailed with delight
Every child had something to show or tell
him, and he entered into the feelings of
each, praising their little achievements, and
approving wherever there seemed chance
for words of appreciation. It was the same
towards his wife. She spoke of some direc-
ton she had given to Crandall.
''That was right" he answered; adding,
"How thoughtful you are!"
A pleased smile went over the wife's
countenance.
''You forgot your pocket-handkerchief
this morning." said the latter, handing a
white linen handkerchief to her husband.
$50 did Thank you, dearn' And he
received the handkerchief with as polite an
acknowledgement in manners as in words,
Many other little instances of home-cour-
tesies were observed by Crandall, who left
the house when his work was completed,
with new impression of life stamped upon
his consciousness. The image of that pleas
ant home was fixed On his mind like a thing
of beauty. He had dreamed family OF such
homes, or read Of them in books; but the
reality was now before him. The husband
and father, whose presence had frightened
that home. he knew as thriving man Of
business. who came frequently to the estab-
lishment where he worked His face were
generally grave aspect-a little sour, Peter
had thought He had not given him cred
it for much kindness of feeling, and was
therefore the more impressed by what he
had seen.
The sweet, musical way in which ''Thank
you, dear' had been said reciprocally by
mother and children many times, and on all
occasions of service rendered, no matter how
small. had found an echo in his mind, where
it was continually repeated. until ''Thank
you, dearv' as he unused at his work, came
almost to his lips in vocal utterance.
When Crandall went home that night he
was still dreaming over the picture in his
mind, and the words ''Thank you, dear ~
were still echoing there in kind of low
music. He was very much subdued in feel
ing almost sad and there was an air of
languor about him as he came into the room,
where his wife was busy in getting supper
ready, that she observed as something un-
usual.
''Jane, take your fathers coat and hang
it up" said Mrs. Crandall to her eldest
daughter.
The girl obeyed, but there was no affec-
ton in her manner as she moved in a list
less sort of way towards her father, and
reached out her hand for his coat Peter
gave her the garment, saying, '"Thank you,
dear" The words were spontaneous, not
of design. and spoken with tender utter
ance. He was but repeating the tones that
were still sounding in his memory.
That instant life seemed to quicken through
the child's frame! She gave one glance of
surprise into her fathers face, and then
stepped away with the coat like one we'll
pleased to render a service.
He was surprised at himself, and for an
instant half ashamed of what he had done,
as-if it were weakness.
"Will you have glass of water ?" asked
Jane, coming back to her father.
eff you please" he replied; and Peter
wondered at his own reply almost as much
as his wife and children wondered A cold,
abrupt 'yes'' or mo- had been his accus-
toned answer to nearly all questions
With what light feet did Jane trip from
the room. In twinkling she was back.
with a cool glass of water for her father,
who, as he received it from her hand, said,
''Thank you"
The fathers altered manner and ways of
speaking was perceived by the children as
we'll as by their mother, and, as if by mag
ic, the whole sphere Of their lives seemed
changed.
''Shall bring you your slippers ?" ask
ed Jane, returning to her father.
eyes, that's good girl" he answered;
my feet are aching in these heavy shoes"
As Jane left the room with a springing