The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-04-14

fallen so Unexpectedly from her husband
a had been echoing in the mind of Mrs
Crandall quite as spontaneously as in tn
case of her husband. Yes, my dear
you may finish setting the table while
} dish up the supper
Wondering almost as much at hersel
as at her husband, Mrs. Crandall, afte
seeing Jane move with pleasing alacrit,
about the table, went into the kitchen
and soon all was ready. Quite enough
to satisfy that appetite had Mrs. Crandal
prepared but her thoughts turned upor
something else-something that would
give her an opportunity to ask him i
she should not get it for his supper
Yes, DEAR How she was longing fol
the words uttered in the gentle, loving
way they had little while before beer
spoken-but for her ears alone. At las
she turned from the fire and going to the
door of the room, said very kindly
Shall l boil you couple of fresh
eggs for your supper. Peter p
Yes dear, if you please
How the wife's poor heart, which fol
years had lain almost dead in her bosom,
leaped with a joyous impulse? What a
light flashed over her countenance ma
king it as beautiful as of old, in the face
of her husband. Yes, dear, if you
please Not even in the voice of Grisi
or Dina, would her ears have found such
sweet music.
AT the supper table Peter Crandall
praised the coffee and the fried potatoes,
and said the eggs were just what he
wanted. Mrs. Crandall looked happy,
and was happy.
With the vanishing of their fathers
usual silence, and their mothers sour
looks and fretful tones, the children s
spirits changing like the chameleon. and
taking the hue Of things around them,
rose into new better and happier states
Contention ceased and there was some
thing like an emulation of kind offices
amongst them, instead of a selfish grasp
ing of Whatever the heart desired.
Suddenly the eyes of Mr.. Crandall
were opened. Even while he was won
dering at the magical change produced
by few kind words, full revelation of
the truth came to his mind. A new leaf
in the book of his life was turned.
Thought turned once in the right di-
rection-Peter Crandall pondered this
new fact of his inner life history-the
magic of words; and going back to the
very beginning. reviewing his own con-
duct towards his wife and family, almost
day by day. up to the evening when by
the power of almost single word. the
whole scene changed. and quite as sud
denly as we see it, sometimes. in a pan
tomime. He saw his error-saw how
unjust he had been and cold, and even
cruel in his GOODNESS. Very carefully did
he guard himself afterwards; and very
prompt was he in observing all the little
courtesies towards his wife and his chill
dren which are SO beautiful to see and
so sweet in all their influences.
The green things flourished again in
the heart of his wife, and flowers bloom
ed there as of old. The children learn
ed to emulate the kind words, and cour-
teous acknowledgment for all little ser
vices, that soon became habit with
their father and mother and into kind
words spoken. kind feelings soon follow
ed. 1t was the beginning Of a new order
of things in the home of Peter Crandall
where, in good time, the desert bloomed
as the rose.
Words appear as little things them
selves, but have great power. The mag
ic of kind words is wonderful Try them,
ye silent Peter Crandalls, who have fret.
full wives and contentious children. Try
the effect of little wholesome praise to
your tried. unhappy, overworked COM
panion. and see if it dosen't brighten her
pale face, as If a flood of sunbeams had
been poured upon it. Try it with your
child. and if you have in you the heart
of a true man, you will be So pleased
with the effect that you will keep on try
ing until you will scarcely recognize
your own household.
Elisha Potter, member of Congress
from Rhode Island. on being abused by
some ill. hammered member of the House,
rose and said "Mr. Speaker, when |