The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-05-15

BY 7. S. ARTHUR.

looking only upon the shadowed side ol
things They prophecy evil continually -
And when days of darkness come, as come
they do in all our lives, they SIT down and
say that there will never be sunlight again
Mr.. Watson wss one Of this class--a brt ID
ing, silent man, whose presence in his fam. "
was always felt as The shadow of cloud thai
hid the pleasant sunshine. Mrs. Watson, IN
the beginning of their married ife had been
of a cheerful temper, but easily taking the
aspect of what was around her, had gradual
ly changed, until her mind was a. dark 'bued
"a that OF her husband. Little things fretted
them, and so life became made up of series
Of petty anpoyanco'
This was not genial home for children,
though children came pressing into it, and
filling its dim chambers with discord instead
of music. They did not grow beautiful, like
healthy plants open to the sunshine, but men
tally deformed, for lack Of pure air, warmth,
and culture.
And so there came new causes Of gloom to
the mind of Mr.. Watson, in forebodines as
to the future Of his children; aud, ia truth,
The promise was by no means flattering. The
oldest boy was passionate and self.wiled; the
second child, a girl, fretful aud annoyed with
everything. that did not flow smoothly; the
third Of the brood, perfect little outlaw in
bis propensities to invade the rights of every
member of the family; and tho baby, so fond
of showing the strength of her lungs, that
che cried through nearly all her waking
hours.
One night, late in Autumn. Mr.. and Mrs.
Watson Sat aloue, their children, after an un
usually discotdant time, having been whipped
all round, baby included, and put TO bed -
Mrs. Watson Lad her sewing in her hands,
and was bending close down over her work,
rs if in the effort to lessen the capacity o.
her bosom for trouble, while her husband sat
a little turned fiom her, in moody absrac-
tion.
:! sometimes wish They'd never been born,
said Mr.. Watson, giving vent to his feelings
in low monotonous tone Of 70 ce. There's
little chance OF their comirg to any good. l
never saw such children. Johns passicnste
temper will b certain TO plunge him, as II
man, into scenes Of violence, and as for Dick,
unless miracle prevent, he'll turn out thief
or robber. He has no respect FOR the rights
or property of Others
Mrs. Watson answered only by a long deep
sigh, as sue bent sill lower over her work.
That Martin is going to cheat me, be-
lieve, alter ALL Mr.. Wason's thoughts were
running in new direction
You don't think sop His wife raised her
sober face, and turned towards him.
Il do think so. trusted him like broth
er, and unless | am greatly mistaken, lie is
about playing Inc false, like william
How much is he indebted to you now 2
Over six thousand dollars; and if | lose
that sum, there's no hope for me. shall go
down like man thrown helpless in mid
ocean,
what hard thing it is to live in this
world' sighed Mrs Watson. If one were
but safely oat Of itn
Or, if we had never been born, said her
husband. 1T is nothing but disappointments,
sorrows, and pain, from the cradle to the
grave. And all ended there, we might
groupe on to the end, and then lie down in
eternal rest. But thore is a still deeper mys-
terry involved in the life beyond than there is
his state in tie future. This preacher tells
us one thing, and that preacher another, dl
recty opposite; so that, if both be right, all
men must go to pedition.'
They had been talking in this way for some
time, when the bell rang. A servant came
back from the door to cay that one of their
neighbors had call il aud wished to see Mrs.
Watson.
poor Mrs. Jenkins is dying said the
neighbor, "a the two women met 'apd I've
called to get you to 90 over with me.
'Dyingr The face Of Mr.. Watson grew
pale.
Yes. Poor woman! she's had hard
time in this world, and | hope she'll tiud 3
better one on the other side of deaths dark
river
What is to become Of her little EllenF
Heaven knows, replied the ncighbor.
Has she no relatives to whom the child
can be sent?'
None that ] ever heard Of. tbiuk she
stands entirely alone in the world. But time
is passing, Mrs. Watson, ard the tllckering
candle Of her life may go out at any mo
meu,
Wait a momeut, until get my shawl and
aud hood And Mrs. Watson left her neigh
Dor and ran up stairs. She was back in II
minute, aud the two women repaired to the
humble abode of their dying ne Ighbor. FL.
! In, the child 10 whom reference has been
made, was only three years old. She was
the widows all in this world. They fouud
her nesting close to her mother, whose white
shadowy hand was toying with the golden
curls that lay in masses about her face. 1t
was plain at a glance, that only few sands
Of life remained, ind that tho dying mother
! vas % far away from mortal CONSCIOUSNESS %
70 be freed from the psngs Of separation
Aud 80 she ded-disd without one appeal
for love an protection for the tender, precious
being sho WAS leaving behind her alone in the
world.
There was no attempt TO remove Ellen
from the arms of her mother until life ceased
10 struggle for mastery over tho heart. Then
Mrs. Watson lifted her tendery away; aud as
she did so, the child put her arms about Der
neck, and laid her head down trustingly Oh
her bosom, through which motherly impulse
ran like new vital warmth.
| 'Poor mothercss chdr sobbed the really
tender hearted woman. Poor, motheiless
| little onep
What shall we do with herr asked the
neiglbor in n tone of doubt.
Il will run home with her and keen her