The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-06-09

uiIS udy tuc lIot olOuo VI eiphci "on'S
was laid.
"Timc enough to get them finished" "
said the old gentleman, as he rubbed his
hands in glee, won't want nursery for
q twelvemonth at any rate--small house
do till then"
The young brides were present when
that remark was made. One blushed--
and smiled the other blushed-and
frowned. 1t was the nettle and the rose
again standing side by side.
Six months passed and the houses were
half up--the old gentleman himself di-
recting all the arrangements of the build
ings.
"It is good indeed of your father, now
an old man, to take an interest in our
comfort said one of the young wives to
her husband" Ralph" that was the hus-
bands name, "you can never repay him
for his kind feeling, and his generosity to
u.s. at is an absurdity for yourfather
to play the architect, and almost brick
layer" remarked the other wife to her
spouse, " Boydell," (his nameX you
should tell him that it is inconsistent with
his calling and his station" 1t is con-
sistent with his pleasure, remarked the
husband, land therefore am content" :"
Twelve months passed, and the houses
were finished.
Nursery ready in time,' said the god
old man =" ready in time--ready in
time"
The houses were occupied, and in
course of twelve months the nurseries
We're occupied also.
There are unceasing anxieties in a
mothers lot said the good wife of Ralph,
but unceasing pleasure too and she
smiled at the innocent face of her sleep
ing babe.
How women can like the bore of
children | can not imagine" remarked
her sister-in-law asher child was hastily
given to its nurse.
Years passed on--as they always do
and the young wives became middle-aged
women, sons and daughters, clustered
round them and the grandfather, old and
feeble, now lent on these young things
for support.
Time had worked wonderous change
in the two brothers. Ralph's face told of
home-stock ofbappiness, from which he
drew largely-whie goydell looked asif
content and happiness were. not in the
world at all.
At this time, when the families of each
were sprnging up, and needed money to
be spent on them, in education, mainten-
anee, and the different adjuncts of their
station. one Of these panics OF the com
mercal world which ruin thousands, took
place. Unfortunately, Ralph and his
brother had entered into large specula-
rions, which failing, they were involved
in the prevailing ruin, and found them
selves yerging on bankruptcy.
BE of good heart, Ralph!' said his
wife, /" there is bread in this great world
for ALL Our fine large house, our ser.
wants and our carriages are not absolutely
necessary to our happiness, We can do as
others do-.live without them, and the chill
dren, Ralph this lesson Of adyersity may
be tor their welfare take comfort Ralph
there is plenty of that left for us in the
world, if our wealth has flown away"
Yes" answered her husband, as he
clasped her hand, and drew lier to him,
"Yes there is neverfailine comfort here,
Lucy; God be praised for having given
me one 50 meet to help me. both in JOY
and sorrow, wealth or poverty"
You should have foreseen this crisis"
remarked the wife of Boydell, and not
allowed your children to be brought to
beggary at their age, when just entering
on life; expenses are unavoidable, unless
indeed they be educated as the laboring
classes; which idea may be worth your
wise consideration now.''
She ceased with sneer on her face.
"Other men would not have been SO
venturesome with their money" she re-
marked; the Brownings, for instance
and the Smiths withdrew in time, and
Lionel Blagdon told me that you had no
one to blame but Yourself, and that your
children might thank you and you only,
If starvation were there fate"
"In mercy cease, replied the husband,
cor you will drive me mad.'
must put your conduct fairly be .ore
your eyes-it is my duty, she replied.
Then reserve it until / am likely to
appreciate your effort at the performance
Of the duty" be answered bitterly.
Poor " Duty" How dreadfully is she
misbandlen by these ascetic danes. 1T
is duty !"--and under that plea many
harsh truth is uttered. 1t is duty r.
SO says the over-strict disciplinarian, and
cold stern words are driven forth to trem-
BILE on an over. worked and wearied brain.
"It is duiyr' covers the cruel rebuke
and the severe rejoinder. 1t may be q
" duty" to speak plainly and boldly some-
times-but it is also duty to choose the
opportunity when the speech may be ac-
ceptable, and not fret and chafe the