Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-01-25
5flisreEial,cous.
A RIFT IA TIE CLOUD.
By t. s. ARTHUR.

Andrew Lee came home at evening from
the shop where he had worked all day, tired,
and out of spirits; came home TO his wife, who
was also tired, aud out of spirits.
"A smiling wife, and a cheerful home
what paradise it would be ~ said An
drew to himself, as he turned his yes
from the ciouded face of Mrs Lee, and
sat doSo, with nitted brow, and moody as
P C.
Mt word was spoken by either, Mrs Lee
was getting supper, and she moved about
with weary step
Come" she said at LAST, With sije-g glance
al her husband
There was invitation in the word only, none
in the voice of Mrs Ice.
Andrew arose and went to the table He
was tempted TO speak au angry word, but
controlled himself, and kept silent He
could find no fault with the chop, nor the
sweet homemade bread. nor the fragrant tea
They would have cheered his inward man, if
there had only been gleam of sunshine on
the face of his wife. He noticed that she did
not eat
Are you not well, Mary 90 The words
were on his lips, but he did not utter them,
for the face OF his wife looked SO repellant,
that he feared an irritating reply And so,
in moody silence, the twain sat together until
Andrew had finished his supper As he
pushed his chair back, his wife arose
and commenced clearing off the supper ta-
be.
This is .purgatory y said Lee to him
self, as h: commenced walking the floor of
theit little breakfast room with his b and s
thrust desperately away down in his trousers
pockets, and his chin almost touching his
breast.
After removing the dishes, and taking them
in;o the kitchen, Mrs. Lee spread a green
cover or the table, and placing a fresh trim
med lamp thereon. went out, and shut the
door after her. leaving her husband alone with
his unpleasant feelings. lie tonk long
deep breath as she did so, pausedEn his walk,
stood still few moments, and then drawing
a paper from his pocket, sat down by the ia
BILE. opened the sheet and commenced read
ing. Siugularly enough, the words upon
which his eyes rested were, Praise your
wife" They rather tended to. increase the
disturbance OF mind from which he was suf-
fering
Il should like to fnd some occasion for
prasins mine" How quickly his thoughts
expressed that i'll natured sentiment. But
his eyes were on the page aud he read
on.
Praise Jour wife. man /; for PHYS sake
give her little encouragement it won't hurt
her,
Andrew Lee raised his eyes from the pa
per, and muttered. "0h, yes That's all
very we'll. Praise is cheap enough. But
praise her for what. For being sullen, and
making your home the most disagr greeable
in the worldY' His eyes fell again on the
paper.
''She has made your home comfortable.
your hearth bright and shining, your food a
greeable; for PHYS sake. tell her you thank
her, if nothing more. She don't expect it, it
might make her eyes open wider than they
have for ten years; but it will do her good
for ell that, and you too "
1t seemed to Andrew as if this sentence
was written just for him, and just for the oc-
casion. 1t was the complete answer to bis
question, Praise her for what?" and he felt
it also rebnke He read no further. for