The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-04-14


Of his wife ''Margaret. as | sat here to,
night, picture of our little home--the
first in which we lived together-came
up from my memory, and stood before my
eyes, with the distinctness of life itself.
1t looked poor and humble; but, Marga
ret, there was sunny warmth in its at
mosphere. We were happv-very happy
in that little home. Have We been hap,
pier since ?"
Mrs Dunlap leaned over towards her
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 7"
1--WE were very happy then my hus-
band"
Though poor ~
Yes"
"Poor, and toilers for our daily bread.
Unknown--unnoticed-and yet happy!"
"Aud what of it, my husband Wha.
of it?" ask d Mrs. Dunlap, with flush
ing face "Speak out plainly! You
frlghten me by this strange mystery J"
Mr.. Dunlap smiled. With HIM the
bitterness of the trial had already passed
He was now calm and self possessed.
&" If we were happy once, though poor,
can we not be poor and happy again 2"
Edwin Husband :" Mrs Dunlap's
face turned suddenly white. ''If any
thing has gone wrong with you, speak out
plainly. Do you not know me Z"
" Yes. Margaret, know you." Then,
after slight pause: 'Things hare gone
wrong. The storm that swept so many
ships upon a lee shore, and among the
breakers, did not spare mine. | strove
hard to bring her safely into port, but
strove in vain. She is even now going
rapidly to pieces, and we shall save scarce
| ly timber from the wreck"
"My husband! Has il come to this "
And Mrs. Dunlap laid her head, weeping,
upon his breast
"We have life, Margaret, unsullied
hearts and hope stillle Courage?"
:" If you can bear up, Edwin, with the
pressure of this great calamity upon you,
| have 10 cause for dependency. did
not think of myself, but you. o, to have
the hard accumulations of your lifetime
swept away by single wave! 1t is ter
rible, dear husDandl Trust in me; lean
upon me; ask of me all things, and my
heart will spring to meet your wishes. 0,
if you can but endure the trial bravely, it
will have bul few sufTerings for me f"
A wild tempest Of weeping burst now
from the daughter
Jane!" Mrs. Dunlap turned to her
child. But Jane without replying, arose
and went from the room. 4 silence of
some moments succeeded her departure
Then Mr. Dunlap said:
"TLe ordeal will be sad one for our
proud indolenl child My heart aches
for her. But the discipline cannot fail
to be ofgood result. We cannot save her
from the consequences of misfortune"
"We ought not to save her, if we
could, answer the mother; "for there
are better qualities in her nature which
new relations in life may develop. Wealth
has been snare TO her feet, as it has been
to thousands She has grown up in an
atmosphere that has poisoned her blood
Hereafter, she will breathe pure air; !;
and l trust TO its renovating influences {"
Poor child !" said Mr. Dunlap 81
spoke TO her in too great bitterness-wi
too sharp irony. Alas her sables will be
darker than she dreamed"
The mothers hopeful prophecy showed
earlier signs of fu,6lment than she had
anticipated A short period of time only
had elapsed, after Jane left the apart
ment, before she returned again. Her
face was pale, but not distressed her eyes
were red with weeping, yet were they not
sad eyes, for the light of love was in them
She paused a moment at the door, look
ing wistfully at her parents, and then
came forward with quick, eager steps.
"Dear father" she said, as she paused
before them, ''let me stand also by your
side in this day of trouble !"
a thrill went through the frame of Mr.
Dunlap, and springng up, he caught
Jane in his arms and hugged her to his
heart almost wildly. Then holding her
from him, and looking into her face fond
ly, he said:
IF fortune left so precious jewel in
the bottom of the cup she has drugged
with bitterness, she gave blessing instead
of cursing. Dear child Upon the dark
ness of misfortune, light has arisen"
And now the strong man wept like a
woman.
"To-morrow" came; but it did not
bring the sables for Jane Dunlap. No,
net even for her heart; for new light
had arisen there-a light SO warm and
radiant that it dispelled gloom from all