The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-17


couraging state of advancement; SO he said,
in cheerful way, to his wife, who was 60.
ing about with baby in her arms.
You must hurry up things little. Anna.
This is Wednesday night, you know, and
wouldn't fail being at the meeting on any
account. Give Maggy to me. There; now
your hands are free, ought TO have come
little earlier"
The pale. weary looking wife smiled on
her husband, as she handed him the baby,
and said pleasantly.
You shall not be late, dear. will soon
have all ready. My head has ached badly
all the afternoon, and this has kept me be-
hind hand"
"Im sorry for that. Anna. Does IT ache
still :" Phe husbands voice was full Of
kind interest.
Yes; and feel unusually weak. The
FIRST warm weather of the season always tries
me. you know"
A shade Of concern came over the face of
Mr.. Marston, as his eyes followed the retir
ing form Of his wife. lie was an industri-
Gus young man, with only small salary
and his wife was trying to get along without
a domestic. They had two children-a lit
tie boy four years old. and Maggy, the baby.
who had not yet completed her first yeat.
In shorter time than the husband hadex.
pected, his wife's pleasant voice called him
to supper. lie gave her the baby as he en-
tered the little dining room, and she sat
down with it in her arms 10 pour out the
tea.
Does your head ache still r inquired
I
I" Badly but think cup Of tea will do
me good"
- hope so, indeed. Give baby back 10
me. I can hold her." And the husband
reached out his hands for little Maggy who,
pleased to return. almost leaped into his
arms.
You must take her back. mother" said
Marston. rising from the table, in about ten
minutes. and reaching the baby to his wife.
/ "It is late, aud must be away, or the
prayer meeting will be open before get
there"
But Maggy, who was very fond Of her ia.
ther, did not wish 10 leave him; aud so
struggled after her mother had received her,
and cried to be taken back.
Papa must 90. darling Nlarston bent
down, and tried 10 soothc the grieying little
one. As he did 80, Maggy got her arms
around his neck, and held on tightly. Ii
tonk quite an eflart 10 remove them.
As Marston shut the door Of his dwelling
behind him, uuli .utDmtn ns.d walking rapidly
away in the direction Of the church at which
the PRAYER meeting vas to be held. he wa
conscious Of an unpleasant pressure upon his
feelings What did this mean; iie began
-. IN Il Frsl lur fHf
cause. Al first. he could see nOl'iing crar.
"; but gradually thought went back To the
home he had Just left. aud to his pale. weary
looking wife and children, gricvlng because
he had left them.
els this right The question came sad
denly upon him, and almost arrested hi.
steps.
% am sorry to leave them alone To night,
he said within himself; :" aud wouldn't, ex.
cept for the prayer meeting. gain 80 Inucl
strength and comIert III TIL, mraEs of grace
that IGeel as il it would be wrong TO neglec
it,
Aud 50 lie walked on, but With sowel
steps. his thongats st'll returning 10 hi hume
aud Imagination giving more and more ylslt
pictures ol his wife and children in grief fu
his absence. At last he stond siill.
al need tie blessing ! had hnpcd to re
ceiye this evening. The strength, the com
fort. the peace lie said, sill talking wit
himself. "But, pour Anna it IS hard for he
10 be left alone. And she isn't at all we'll.
- will 20 back" lie spoke out rssnlGie
" at last; and commenced retfasing Ii
steps. " must not consider mtseli alone
Perhaps God wall give the strength and CON
fort need, even il do mt meet to.nisll
with his people"
"Oh, japes, j. il YOU Mrs. Mnsto
started At The unexpected appearance of b.
husband, who saw. as site iurkel Up. tbai he
eyes were vet. i" Have you Iof,0ttrn sn.
thing 20
YES he replied, as lie stood gizins vii
unusual tenderness ~ u her.
"What is IL: csn get IL fIr yOa:"
~ forgot to stay at hume with my vii
and children" said the young man.
"0a. James" Tears gnshed over hi
wife's face.
.sAnd I've come back to remain vii
them"
Mrs. Marston lesned her aching head upu
her husbands shoulder, aud sObbed. Th
nnex expected circumstance quite broke dow
the little self.composure that remained.
Lonely, sad, aud discouraged" she or
swered. /" But yun are gund and Kind an
am weak and foolish. Go back. James,
the prayet meeting. shall feel bette
now"
"No, darling" said Marston. 81 vi
/, stay at home Il help aud comfort nv lionel.
" sad, and discouraged wife; aud think
n sh.iI he serving Gob in this. with trn,
spiit ol worship, than could possibly ie
SC il any prayer meeting that went 10 at .
II. sacrifice Of tlear home duty."
ii "lIow does your head iesl NOW, Anna
was asked half an hour later, a. they sat I
&c ge,hrr. Mrs. Marston with her needle in b
hand, and her husband holding both OF {
happy children in kis arms.
- "ft /. free from pain. and I feel 50 m1
ad better | think yuut unexpected return b
20 cured me. Amt a foolish woman, Jane
ii. bat, after yoS have been absent III DAY Ion
cant bear 10 have you 20 out ~ tnt e'