Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07
5(ist&llan&Uns.
THE MAGIC OF WORDS.
BY 7. S. ARTHUR.

Peter Crandall was not an ill-natured, cap
tous Of finding fault man, and yet the home
Of Peter Crandall was not happy. Very lit
Fl tie sunshine streamed across the threshold.
Vas it bis wife's fault ? A visitor, who saw
hsr in her usual mood, might if conclusions
we're made from first impressions, lead to this
4 opinion She inclined to fretfulness and i'm
patience aud often scolded the children when
her husband could see little in them to
/ bame
The Crandall's were poor Mr. Crandall
vas mechanic and earned only mechanics
wages Mrs Crandall was the mother of five
I children, the oldest of them thirteen years
ad; ; but their narrow income left nothing to
QaTe for the hire of a domestic, so all the
work fell upon her She was toil-worn and
t9l-weary at the end of each day; and the
sane, though not to an equal extent, might be
said Of her husband. He had more strength
for bis work, and therefore he could endure
greater fatigue. He had the advantage, which
vas a most important one-of freedom from
nervous excitement, and the inevitable exhaus-
ton that followed He labored at one kind
Of work, uninterrupted all day long. while she
vas subject to perpetual and annoying inter
mPtions, incident to her position of mother
and house keeper.
Between Peter Crandall and his wife there
md not seem to exist much affection. They
never spoke loving words, nor manifested ex-
cept on rare occasions, any pleasures at meet
ogs or any mutual interest The little cour-
leSeS of life were something unknown in their
cheerIeSs dwelling. Rude, boisterouS, quar-
eSome the children grew up, bringing dis
cord into the house. the house that was I'M
comfortable enough, without that disagreed
Die inmate. The mother Scolded and punished
ID anger but saw no good results of her dis
oPIne. The father scolded in concert, but
always felt an unpleasant sensation afterwards
as Il he had been doing something wrong.
And 50 the years went on, and the sun
oeamS came not across the threshold into their
.8eIIing. Occasionally Mr.. Crandall obtained
brief glance into some other homes, and as
Ile pleasant visions passed, a sigh would dis
ilFb his bosom. Light and warmth were
there.
Something was wrong in his own home
mat he had felt for great while-and he
1N not wholly blame his wife, But the exact
location Of the wrong he could never clearly
perceive. In the beginning it was different.
linen there was a warmth in his heart and
sunshine in the face Of his wife. But it was
III his memory, marked day after day as dial
,vCoroS the advancing shadow; how the
brightness Of her face diminished steadily until
a. 1.' Was eclipsed. All if he had dreamed of
Tue cause But Mr.. Crandall was not the
man who looked inward upon his wfe-not a
NaA VINO considered his actions in their effect
upon others, He was, moreover silent, unde-
illustrative man, rarely expressing his feelings.
ne gave Few outward signs by which any one
could read his heart. Here Law the origin of
aS trouble at home-thc beginning Of the
eclipse that left this world almost in total dark.
ae'S, when it should have been noondov II
vas enough for Mrs Crandall, in the earlier
years OF their welded life to know that her
eqSoand e, loved her. Her heart asked moro
que wanted loving words and loving looks also
a. auu Tor the lack of these its green things with.
81 "Vi' and its blossom faded. Having told her
~ ~ 'ae beginning that he loved her having
wards married in proof Of his declaration