Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-06-23

very comfortable meals they were, for
Mary was an excellent housewife. and,
though they had only slender in
come, she was determined that what
they had should be laid out to the best
advantage, as far as she was concerned.
Edward loved his wife dearly and in
creasingly, and he had reason to do so;
for "good wife is from the Lord" !"
and is among the most precious ar |
valuable of his earthly gifts. And
Mary was a good wife, in the best
sense of the word; for she was a Chris
tian, and had learned to make the
Word OF God her guide and counsel
lor, believing that the Lord alone
could enable her to faithfully and dill
igently to perform her new duties.
Regulated and controlled by Divine
grace, her naturally cheerful temper
was constant source of enjoyment.
both to herself and her husband, and
to all who came within the sphere of
its influence.
Five years passed away, and Mary
was the mother Of three children, while
death had deprived her of her kind,
good parents. Edward had taken a
small shop in country town, few
miles from C, and had COM
menced business tor himself. But he
soon found that a young tradesman
has many difficulties and struggles to
surmount before he can be fairly
established. Instead of the small
but certain salary, which he had hith-
erto punctually received, he found that
there were considerable expenses to
meet, in stocking and altering the
shop, while, at the same time, the re-
turns were scanty and uncertain.
What could he do9 He dreaded get
ting into debt, which he had hitherto
scrupulously avoided. The only alter
native seemed to be to retrench their
expenses, and yet he hardly knew how
to do that, since they had already lived
as prudently and economically as pos
sible. Their present establishment
consisted Of himself and wife, their
three children (all very young). an
experienced servant, who had lived
with them ever since their marriage, a
young gill who acted as nurse. and
shop-boy. 1t seemed to Edward out
of question to part with one of thei,
three assistants. and yet there appear
ed no other way of saving. Mary had
but recently recovered from her last
confinement, and he was unwilling to
distress her with fears that perplexed
his own mind.
1t was late one evening, when, after
having closed his shop for the night
he entered their small sitting room
with weight on his heart, and g
cloud on his brow, which he could no;
conceal from his wife's observant eye
, "You'r re not well to night, Edward,
she said tenderly, "you look tired and
wornout"
"A little tired, perhaps; but Tn
quite WE'LL" he answered, endeavorins
| (but Intellectually to brighten up.
. "Well. try and forget business, anC
all its cares" said Mary, cheerful. 81
want to finish this little frock to
night; do come and read to me
should SO enjoy it,"
, With somewhat melancholy smile
r Edward at once complied with hi;
, wife's request, and, taking a bool
from the shelf, began to read. Blu
the words fell mechanically from hi
lips, while other and different Thoughts
, kept crowding into his mind. III,
. looked at the baby In the cradle by
! Mary's side, and he remembered th'
two other children who were asleel
up stairs. Here was an increasin.
family. and, consequently, increasing
expences; while at the same time Ia
= appeared to be losing ground ever,
\ day in his business.
At last his wife suddenly put he
:, hand on his arm, and said, IDEA
Edwardl what is the matter? | an
p sure something disturbs you; do tel
me all! l can bear anything bette
than seeing you look so miserabl
. without knowing the reason?'
a Thus urged, Edward was at las
obliged to reveal the cause of hi
! abstraction.
lfI Mary attentively listened till he ha
. concluded, and then, taking his hand
h she said affectionately. Poor, dea
q Edward! you have been brooding owe
,, your troubles in secret. till, ca
! venture to say. things appear a grea
: deal worse than they Pally are. Yo
% are not in debt, you say. at present?
Dt "No; thank God" replied Edwar
d earnestly. But then, Mary, if "
" cannot manage to save some way. W