The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-26
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,

for US to enjoy, 1t wo will only cultivate th'
disposition to enjoy it, and that he is better
pleased with those who appreciate lifo's beau
ties, and love its harmonies. than with those
who are always prating about 'the thorn
which is concealed under every rose :, for
the rose is none the less sweet or beautiful
for that, and il thorns are necessary part
Of our discipline, let us bear them as pleas
antly as VIC can
Mrs. Howard took leave. and for day or
two found less fault than usual. but very soon
an ili.cut dress proved too much for her phi
losophy, and many little daily trials and ir-
rtations brought back the old cloud to her
face, and. careful and troubled about many
things she fretted along her discontcnted
way as little at ease as she had been in the
old house and Mr.. Howard, who had fiat
tered himself with tho hope that gratiiica-
ton of her wants would bring peace. was
disheartenel, and having no garden to which
to resort after his toilsome days, he felt
douhly the want of serene, sweet influences
to surround him the more especially. since,
in his increased expenses he was growing en-
barrassed, having withdrawn money from his
business which he really needed in IL.
1t soon became evident that n 'crash' was
inevitable, and the distressed husband and
father thought it was wisest to prepare his
wife for the impending calamity by inform
ing her of it before the crisis came. She was
overwhelmed with grief and modification,
but her husbands mental and physical pros
tration was so fearful that she found 1t nec-
essary to keep up for his sake.
Mr.. Howard was an honest man, and he
gave up to his creditors every dollar which
he possessed, leaving it necessary that he
should accept Of temporary aid from Mr..
Benton. An auction followed, and the fam
ily moved into small house which would
barely accommodate them.
The magnitude of this calamity did not
cure Mrs. Howard, even for the time, OF lret-
ting over small things, though she had pru-
dence enough torofrain from much complain
ing to her husband, except on one topic.
winch was her theme of lamcntation DAY and
night. 1t was impossible now to educate
Harry as they had intended; he must give
up the idea of going to college. 1t had been
her pride and ambition, she said. to see Har-
ry lawyer he had such splendid talents,
and now George Benton, who was by no
means his equal, would surpiss him and so
she mourned and worried through the weary
DAYS, herself her own domestic and drudge,
she said.
Shc was repining in this way ono day in
the house of her neighbor, Mrs. Hosmer, be-
fore the lame girl, until she exclaimed, 90,
Mrs. Howard, do let me tell you just this !;
you havc much to be grateful for,-health
and husband and children and home; it
might be far worse than it is; do try to think
OF what remains. instead Of what is gone
'IfIwerc like you, or sister Lucy, should,
suppose was her reply.
The lesson was to be learned yet through
deeper and keener sorrow. for
"Disasters come not ,ingly,
But as IL they watched and waited,
Scanning one an0ther's motions.
When the first descenls, the others
Follow, follow. gathering flock-wise
Round their victim sick and wounded.
First a shadow, then a sorrow,
Till the air is dark with anguish"
Three weeks later, her beautiful, beloved
Harry was brought home to her drowned, his
bright curls dripping over the classic brow,
which the vain, fond mother bad pictured to
herself wrcatled with the laurels of fame.
The shock was followed bya long pros
trating sickness, from which she slowly re-
covered a changed and better woman.
'rhank God,' she uttered sincerely, Il have
my husband and my two little girls left yet
will say no more, let come what will come,
il they arc only spared And she kept her
word; and though several years of privation
followed, yet she bore all patiently, gather
ing little daily joys by the way. which in her
PALMER days she had passed by unhceded.-
Prosperity came again, and she lived to en-
joy years of as true happiness and peace as
not often fall to mortal lot; and after earn
est seeking and watchful selfdisciplinc, that
better spirit was given her which not only
bears without murmurins, but which, when
passing through the deepest waters, can say.
Not my will, but Thine be DONE