Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-26

spoken during their quarrel that morning, and
the words smote the mans heart.
And whilst Mrs. Parsons was in the midst Of
taking up the daintily droiled chicken, two
boys and a girl burst into the kitchen. ,lI
''Hush, hush, children" wound in among
the obstreperous mirth, like silver chime,
the soft voice of the mother. gathers busy
reading the paper and you'll disturb him"
The children were silenced at once, not in
fear of the reproof, but in wonder at it, for the
wife seldom consulted his wishes in the small,
every day matters which make the happiness
or irritation of our lives, as he did hers. -.
In few minutes the hungry family gather
ed round the table. There was little spoken
at the meal, but softer, kindlier atmosphere
seemed to peryade the room. The children
felt, though they did not speak of it. r=
"Are you going out this evening, Isaac?"
swell, yes, thought I'd step round to tho
town meetin'. Want anything at the store ?''
continued Mr. Parsons, as he tried to button
his collar before the small, old fashioned look
ing glass, whose mahogany frame was mount
ed with bsughs Of evergreen, around which
scarlet berries hung their charms of rubies.
But the mans large fingers were clumsy,
and after several Intellectual attempts to as
complish his purpose, Mr.. Parsons dropped
bis hands with an angry grunt, that 'ithe
thing would not work.
"Lst me try, father" Mrs. Parsons stepped
quickly to her husbands side, and in a mo-
ment her hand had managed the refractory
button.
Then she smoothed down lock or two of his
black hair, which had strayed over the sun
| burnt forehead, and the touch Of those soft
fingers felt very pleasant about the farmers
brow, and woke up in his heart old sweet
memories Of the time when he used to feel
them huttering like dreams through his hair
lie looked on his wife with softness in his
| face, and a softness in his keen eye which he
II al .A~l A. IL
smiles stirred fountain warm and tender in
Mrs. Parsons heart, which not for years
yielded one drop of its sweet waters. She
reached up her lips impulsively, and kissed
| his cheek. ANY one who had witnessed that
little scene would scarcely have suspected that
| the married life Of Isaac Parsons and his wife
| counted three-quarters of score of years.
The woman's comely face was as full Of shy
blashes as girl Of sixteen, and Isaac Parsons
| seized his hat and plunged out of the house
/ without speaking one word, but with mixture
/ of amaZement, and something deeper on his
| face not easily described. But at last he
| cleared his throat; and muttered to himself,
" Melissa shan't repent that aet-I say she
l shan't - and when Isaac Parsons said thing,
| everybody knew he meant it. .
n
The sunset Of another autumn day was roll
/ ing its verduro Of purple and gold about the
mountains, when the wagon of Isaac Parsons
| rolled into the farm yard. He had been absent
! all day to the city, and the supper had been
awaiting him nearly an hour, and the children
had grown hungry and impatient.
80, father, what have you got there?" they
4 eli clamored, as he came into the house tug
giDg an immense bundle tied with cords.
''1t is something for your other children, -
l was the rather unsatisfactory answer.
AT this moment Mrs. Parsons entered the
kitchen. Her husband snapped the cords, and
a breadth Of ingram carpetting rolled upon
4 the floor, through whose dark green ground
| work trailed a russell vine and golden leaves
most tasteful and graceful pattern.
i Isaac Parsons turned to his amazed wife
/ "There, Melissa; there's the parlor carpet you
asked me for yesterday merning. I reckon
there amt many that will beat it in Wes t
Il Farms"
A quick change went over Mrs. Parson 5
face, half of JOY, half of something deeper.
sob, Isaac w She put her arms around
the strong mans neck, and burst into tears.
The trio Of children stood STILL and looked
on in stolid amazement I think the sight
Of their fsces was the frct thing which
called Isaac Parsons to himself
'"Come, come, mother" he said, but his
voice was not quite steady, "don't give way
now like this. I'm as hungry as a panther
now, and want my supper before 1 do any.
of to that impatient quadruped in the back
yard.
SO the new carpet proved an olive-brsnch
| Of peace 10 the household Of Isaac Parsons
While others admired its pattern or praised
its quality, it spoke to Mrs. Parsons' heart q
story Of all that which love and patience may
accomplish. After many struggles and much
prayer, the triumph over pride and passion
and evil habits, was at last achieved; spd this
was not accomplished in day, or a month, OF
year, but the ''small leaven that unleaven-
eth the whole lump" working silently and
surely, completed at last its pure and perfect
| work, and in the farmhouse Of Isaac Parson:
| reigned the spirit of forbearance and self.
relipguishment, Of gentleness and love. which
was given unto those ''Who fear God and keep
His holy commandments"