Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-12-24

da u TtulhnuiHB hil tNil Splllbg DcBOhci
dull care !" and the fiend leftme
Then / spoke cheerfully, and in tone
of interest to quiet little May, who had
walked round me three or four times, Won
pering in her heart, no doubt, what held
her at distance from her papa, and who
was now seated by her mother, leaning
her haxen head, futted all over with
glossy curls, against her knee. She sprang
at my voice. and was in my lap in bound,
O,what thrill ofpleasure the tight clasp of
her arms sent to my heart o, thou art
full of blessing.
From that moment felt kinder toward
my neighbor. He had done me good
had played before me MS David played
before Saul, exercising the evil spirit Of
discomfort. There was no longer repel-
liant sphere, and soon all my little ones
were close around me, and happy as in
other times with their father.
After they were all in bed, and sat
alone with my wife, the cares that "infes
the day" made q new assault on me, and
vigorously strove to regain their lost en-
pre in my mind. | felt their approach,
and the gradual receding Of cheerful
thoughts with every advancing step they
made. In my struggle to maintain that
tranquility which so strengthens the soul
for work and duty, arose and walked the
floor. My wife looked up to me with in.
quiry on her face. Then she let her eyes
fall upon her needle work, and as l CLAN
ccd toward her at every turn in my walk
| saw M expression of tender concern OF
her lips She understood that was moi
at ease in my mind, and the knowledge
troubled her
"TTow wrong in me-" said in selfrc-
bukc, 1T hus to let idle brooding ovel
mere outside things, which such broodine
can in no way affect, trouble the peace o
home !" and made new effort to rise
again into SUMMER region. But the
tiend had me in his clutches again, and !
could not release myself Now, it wai
that my David came anew to my relief
Suddenly his clear tones rang out in the
air, away with Melancholy"
cannot tell which worked the instant
rcvulsion Of feeling that eamc-the cheer
lul air or words of the song which wer'
called to remembrance by the air, or thu
associations Of bygone years that wer,
revived. But the spell was potent ant
complete. was myself again.
Dnring the evening the voice of m.
wife broke.out several times into snatche
of song-things quite unusual of late, 70
life's sober realities had taken the mus
from her as well as from her husband
We were growing graver every day l
was pleasant to hear her ilute-tones again
very pleasant, and my cor hearkened lov
ingly. The cause of this titfnl warbling
recognised each time as the note die
away. They were responsive TO on
ncighbor
did not then remark upon the circum
stance One reason of this lay in the fac
TINT had spoken lightly of my neighbor'
whistling propensity, which struck me i
the beginning as vulgar; and did nc
care to acknowledge myself his debtor q
| really was.
We were in our bed room and abou
retiring for the night when loud voices, n
if in strife, came discordantly through tn
thin partition walls, from our neighbol
on the other side. Something had gon
wrong there, and angry passions were j
the ascendant.
How very dissagreeablO I" / remarE
ed.
",rhe mans brute !" said my vii
emphatically. He does nothing,
seems to me but wrangle in his family
Pity that he hadn't something of the plet
SAINT temper of our neighbor on the otlt
side
"That is q more agreeable sound,
must confess" was my answer, as tn
notes of "What lairy-like music stea
over the sea, rose swcetly on I'll
air
Ear more agreeable, returned m
wife.
a. lie plays well on his instrument, "
, said smiling. My ear was following III
notes in pleased recognition. We stoo
listening until our neighbor passed to al
, other air, set to Mrs. Hemans beautirl
: words, Come to the sunset tree" To
r slow, soft, tender measure, the notes fel
yet still we heard them with singular dii
tinctness through the intervening wal
just little mui1ied, hut sweeter for III
obstruction.
Come to the sunset tree,
; The day is past and gone,
Tho woodmane axe lies free.
And the reaper's work is DONE"