Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-14


ease, and money, as we do, to outshine our
neighbors. am disguised with it, and long
to have more simplicity prevail among us; for
simplicity is, after all, the truest elegance
"Why, Helen, how do you come down on a
poor body? You make me out selfish, unfeel-
ing and unchristian, just because I want to
smarten up little; and as If all these were not
enough, You cap the climax by making me out
vulgar, too. And so / suppose am to be COM
pelled to live on in the old hundrum, homely
way, looking as old fashioned as Time in the
primer, because my little wife always manages
to get the better of me In argument"
because your little wife knows you are
quite as anxious to do right as she; and be-
cause your views and hers really coincide. o,
Edward, don't think because I preach SO
much, that I consider myself better than
others. I don't live up to my theories, and
every day feel reproved, when see how
courageously and cheerfully you 20 to your
daily labor, working hard from morning till
night, and then coming home, so thoughtful oi
me; so gentle and cheerful, if you are ever SO
tired, while so often get impatient and irri.
table"
"And why am I so cheerful? Why can !
toll so faithfully? Because I have such a
blessed home to come to, such loving wife to
labor,''
And he drew the true and gentle wife be-
side him, and encircled her with an embrace
as full of devotion and tenderness as ever lover
gave his mistress; while his eyes beamed with
joy and pride as he gszed upon her sweet face,
Olushingly upturned to meet bis gaze.
A year has passed away, and we enter again
the Lincoln's parlor. 1t is little changed the
same air of perfect neatness and comfort pre-
walls; no snowy damask curtains nor velvet
sofas, nor tapestry carpets, have been intro
duced; there are two choice pictures added
and the air is fragrant with the breath of some
rare flowers which are blooming on a stand by
the southern window. Helen Lincoln is alone,
and shadow rests on her fair, matronly face,
as if sad thoughts filed her mind as she sits
and sews. But it brightens as her husband s
step is heard entering the hall.
80, Helenp he exclaimed, when he had
warmed himself by the bright, open CRATE;
sit is great deal worse than expected; ev-
erything is gone; the stock is all under mort
gage, so is the house and furniture; and yet
the whole will be but a drop in the bucket;
there is no end to the claims that come in; yes,
John Waters is a ruined man! He can't pay
ten cents on a dollar of what he owes.'
What will become of his family" said
Helen. Poor things, they have been so lit
tie accustomed to any sorrow or hardship; they
are ill-ftted to encounter them"
" Yes, that is true; and the creditors seem
to blame him for living so extravagsntly."
DuJ lcI US Oo CudIlJdDle, EQWdTQ, Iley
have but done as hundreds of others have, and
what every one, almost, praised them for do
ing at the time. Are not all those whose words
and actions 60 to make up false standard of
public sentiment to blame as well as the victims
of such false views?
Eyes, they are; and I do wish from the bot
tom of my heart, we might learn how to live
live uprightly, comfortably and simply, as
sensible, honest men and women should"
Amen" said Helen.
"And if all wives were like you, there would
be fewer bankrupts, fewer heart broken wives
and children, and fewer defrauded creditors
II is the love Of show that ruins so many, the
living as we'll as their neighbors, the aping Of
those they fancy elevated above them in po-
sition, the running in debt for what does not
make any happier-O, it is all miserable, mis-,
erable 10
Helen was reminded of the conversation OF
the year before, but like the prudent wife did
not refer to it. 1t was not the first time she
heard her husband giving her sentiments AZ
his own. The memory Ofit perhaps occurred
to him, for he said :-'' You, Helen, have been
the balance wheel that kept me steady; with.
out you, my natural hasty and ambitious TEN.
permanent would have led me into all kinds oi
excess, I fear.'
Let US thank God :" she replied, with all
our heart, for enabling us to resist temptation
and let us be thoughtful Of those who have
fallen before 1t, and more earnest than ever
for strength from on high to guide and blos'
us''