The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-04-14

receding tide, he did not shudder like
weakling. What if his ship were among !
the breakers Life was yet safe. And
something might be recovered after the hull
went TO pieces in the storm. And so, he
was alreOdy nerving himself for the worst.
The last remark of his daughter was
more, we have said, than Mr.. Dunlap could
bear. 1t had not been his intention to make
known to his family, for day or two yet,
the painful trials that too surely awaited
them. But this little scene excited new
train of thought, and he determined to speak
out with a plainness that would leave no
room for misupprehension. And SO he rose
from the sofa, and passed slowly towards
the centre of the room. Both Mrs. Dunlap
and Jane looked up in his face, and both half
started with surprise at its paleness and
strange expression.
Stables Did hear Alright, Jane = Mr..
Dunlap looked at his daughter in wild kind
of way. There was something in his voice
that sent shivcr along her nerves.
'Yes, subles,' she answered, trying to
speak in firm and decided tone.
'You shall have them j.; and they shOll be
dark as midnight y
Oh, with what startling tone Of bitter
ness were the words uttered. The face Of
Jane grew pale, and the busy hands of her
mother fell motionless in her lap.
'Yes, you shall have sables, but Of another
kind than those about which you have been
so vanly dreaming. Sables for the heart
not for the idle hands and dainty shoulders.
Mr.. Dunlap paused in his speech. Alrea.
dy he was conscious of having betrayed
himself too far-of having commenced the
announcement of approaching misfortune in
a wrong and unmanly way.
ooh, Edwin What does this mean o.
And the faithful, loving, strong hearted wife
who had walked ever erect by his side,
whether the sun shone or the rain fell
sprung forward from her chair, and grasping
his arms, looked eagerly in his disturbed face
Mr.. Dunlap was man of quick self-con,
troll. Only moment or two of resolutC
repression was required to calm the turbu
lence of feeling which had been awak ened
'Sit down again. he said in an even tone
and as he spoke he drew his wife toward the
sofa, from which he had few moments be.
fore arisen. Jane he added, turning to-
w0rd his DewiIdered daughter, over whose
White cheeks the tears were already begin.
ming to taii sit down beside your mother
have something to soy that deeply con-
cer05 you both.'
Then Mr. Dunlap took chair, and draw.
ing it in front of the sofa, sat down. There
was bre. struggle for entire self.posseS-
sion, and then the man was restored to him,
self.
'MOrgaretv There was tenderness in
the tones of Mr.. Dunlap's voice that stirred
emotions long quiet in the bosom of his wife
Margaret, as sat here tonight picture OF
our little home-the first in which we ivet
together-came up from my memory, ant
stood before my eyes with tho distinctnes!
Of life itself. 1t looked poor and humble
but Margaret, there was sunny warmth ir
its atmosphere. We were happy, very hap
py, in that little home. Have we ever beer
happier since 2
Mrs. Dunlap leaned over toward hel
husband, and looked with earnest inquiry
into his face. His question was strange
his manner strange, his expression strange
Say, Margaret - wife-have we been
happier since?'
'We were very happy then, my husband.
Though poor
sYes.'
'Poor, and toilers for our daily bread, I'm
known, unnoticed, and yet happy
'And what of it my husband ? what of it ?
asked Mrs. Dunlap, with a flushing face
Speak out plainly. You frighten me b.
| tnls strange mystery
Mr.. Dunlap smiled. With him the bitter
ness Of the trial had already passed. H
was now calm and self.possessed.
IF we were happy once, though poor, cal
we not be poor and happy again q
Edwin! Husband = Mrs. Dunlap's fac
turned suddenly white. If anything ha
gone wrong with you, speak out plainly. d.
you not know me 2
'Yes, Margaret, know gou.' Then, afte
a slight pause, Things haze gone wrong
The storm that swept SO many ships upoi
lee shore and among the breakers, did no
spare mine. strove hard to bring her safe
ly into port, but strove in vain. She is evel
now going rapidly to pieces, and we shal
save scarcely timber from the wreck
my husband has it come to this 2 An
Mrs. Dunlap laid her head, weeping, upo1
his breast. .
I'VE have life, Margaret, unsullied hearts
and hope still left. Courage!
'Ifyou can bear up, Edwin, with the pres
sure of this great calamity upon you,
have no cause for dependency. I do no
think of myself, but Of you. Oh, to hav
the hard accumulations of your life.tim
swept away by single wave 1t is terrible
dear husband. Trust in me; lean upo
me ask of me all things, and my heart vii