The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-27

that be loved her; having afterward marries
her in proof of his declaration; and having
ever since worked daily for the sustaining O
his bome. and keeping her as far above wani
as it was possible for him to do, Mr.. Crandal
saw no reason why he should be all the tim,
passing complsments. He couldn't do it.
1t wasn't in him. He would have felt asham
ed of it as weakness
And so. almost from the beginning, he faiIet
to give those little outward signs of affection
those pleasant tokens of kindness so CRATE.
ful to all. When his wife said, as was otter
the case. during the first year that succeeded
their marriage Thank you. Peter and smiled
gratefully in return for some little act of kind
neas-or expressed pleasure when he came
home from his work in the evening, drawing
her arm around his neck and kissing him-oI
told him how lonesome abe felt all day, and
what a ligh' bis coming brought into their lit.
tie home-Peter Crandall felt a glow of pleas
ure in his heart But it did not come within
the range of bis imagination-dull at best
i
to the sp rit of his wife like dew to the thirsty
ground 't ~ @ r
| And so he never expressed pleasure at meet.
ing but rather affected, from kind of false
pride. certain coldness, as though it were a
lack Of manliness to act differently. No mat
ter how many little attentions his wife might
show him-no matter what she prepared for
his return. nor with what dainty skill she cook.
ed the evening and noonday meals, he never
praised; and rarely gave even the meagre re.
reward of expressed qualification But il
things went wrong-if the coffee was bad or
the bread sour, or the meat burnt in cooking,
he was sure 20 speak out; and not always in
over choice words. ''
| As Mrs. Crandall began to fail iu outward
signs and affection, Peter perceived their with.
drawal as the gradual failing of sunshine. when
clouds gather over the sky in flmy wells, that
deepen into obscuring curtains. But the cause
was TO him mystery He felt as of old to
his wife; and worked for her as cheefnlly as in
the beginning The home feeling was as strong
as ever: and, after Withdrawing from the outer
world, when the night shadows fell, he had no,
the beginning Of a desire to go abroad from
his humble sanctuary shorn as it was of chiei
attraction-the smiles and loving tones and
words of his changing wife.
From this inauspicious beginning went on
steadily, the unhappy change The coming o
children. which, on their advent, was like the
falling down upon them of sunbeams through
suddenly rifted clouds rather increased instead
of diminishing the unpleasant aspect of thing
in the house Of Peter Crandall. If the moth
Ier's heart had been cheerful and strong-if hel
husband had not shut out the light it needed
to keep it's green things unwithered and it
flowers in bloom-this would not have beer
SO. The cheerful spirit would have given lif
to the body-would have filed every nerv,
with vital force, e,and every muscle with strength
for daily toll. But the children proved NOR,
burden than comfort There was, in thei
hore. so little sunshine. that few green thing
aonrished in their hearts; and the opening @
a flower was rare occurrence But thorn
to wound and weeds to offend were there, an,
hourly they seemed to gain ranker growth
How it was in the home of Peter Crandal
will be clear to every one now. There art
around US thousands and thousands of sue
homes. all the chambers of which are mad
dark and eheerless, for the lack of the small
sweet courtesies of life, SO cheaply given, AM
SO magical in their effect y...
One day, Peter Crandall was sent by hi
employer to do some work in the house of
customer. bis work happened to be in tn
family sitting-room, in which were four chi
dren with their mother. The lady spoke #
him politely when he came in, and the childre
treated him respectfully. He had been a
work only little while, when his attention
was attracted by request from the mother t
one of the children, to 20 up stairs and brin
her some article she named The child wen
instantly. and was back in a few moments.
THANK you, dear, said the mother.
Crandall turned and looked at the child.
Her countenance was tranquil and happy.
Jane, 1 will take those scissors, if 20
please
Crandall looked again. 1t was the mothe
who had spoken. One of the children wa
sitting on the floor, busily engaged in cuttin
out pictures. But she started up instantly an
brought the scissors to her mother. 7.f
Thank you, DEAR was the mothers a.
acknowledgement of the service. as 10 the form
er case.
viii you want them long p asked th
child.
NO. dear only few minutes. Then 20
shall have them again. -...... -.
The child stood patiently by her mother
side until the scissors were out of service, an
=, then received them. -sa
Thank you she said, as she took the
from her mothers hand, and danced bac
Isingng to her place Oh the floor where IL
pictures lay. --s...- $50
All this struck Crsndall as beautiful, and
+ sighed as the harsher image of his own hon
intruded itself. While yet at work. the hu
band and father came home. His presen,
was hailed with delight. Every child h,
G. something to show or tell him. and he enter,
into the feelings of each, praising their lit,
achievements. and approving whatever the
seemed q word of appreciation. It was d
same towards his wife. She spoke of sor
direction she had given to Crandall.
That was right he answered !; addir
How thoughtful you are =
u A pleasant smile went over the wife cou
tenance. - ,.-.,......, ......