The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-04-25

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snd, ID my mind, oppressed with no
very pleasant thoughts. After the
ladies had retired, he said, with con-
siderable feeling:
"All this looks and sounds very
well, perhaps; l,ut there are two as
pects to almo,t everything. My
wife and daughters get one view Of
lie, and another. They see the
romance I the hard reality. 1t Is
impossible Tor me to get money as
fact as they wish TO spend 1t. 1t
was uiy fault in the beginning, |
suppose. All! how dtficuft it is TO
correct an error when once made. -
| tell them that I en- q poor man,
bnt they smile in my face, and ask
me for hundred dollars to shop
with in the next breath. | remon.
strate, but il avails not, for they don't
credit what say. Aud l am poor
poorer, l sometimes think, than
the humblest Of my clerks, who
manages, out Of bis salary OF four
hundred a year, to lay up fifty dol.
lars. He is never in want Of q dol
lar, while 20 searching about anx-
ious and troubled, for my thousands
daily. He and his patient, cheerful,
Industrious little wife find peace and
contentment in the single room their
limited means enable them to pro
cure, while my family turn dissatis.
fed from the costly adornments oi
our spacious home, and sigh for rich
or furniture. aud a larger and more
snowy mansion. If | were q mil
lionaire, their ambition might 5e
Satisfied. Now, their ample wishes
may not be filed. | must deny
them, or meet inevitable ruin. Az
it is, ! am living far beyond q pru
dent limit--not half 30 far, howev-
er. as mony around me, whose fatal
example is ever tempting the weak
ambition OF their neighbors."
This and much more OF similar
import, was said by Psyson. When
| turned from his elegant home,
there was no envy in my heart
He was called rich and prosper
ous man by all whom heard speak
Of him, but in my eyes, he was very
poor.
A day or two afterwards. | saw
Wightmsn in the street. He was
so changed in appearance that
should hardly have known hin, had
he not first spoken. He looked, in
my eyes, twenty years older than
when last we met. His clothes
were poor. though scrupuously clean
and, on observing him more closely
perceived an air Of neatness and
order, that indicates nothing OF thai
disregard about external appearance
which so often accompanies poverty
Ie grasped my hand cordially
and inquired, with q genuine inter.
est, after my health and welfare.
answered triefly, and then said:
81 am sorry to hear that it 10 not
so we'll with you in worldly matters
as when l left the city"
A slight shadow fitted over his
countensnce but it grow quickly
cheerful again
"One Of the secrets Of happiness
10 this life." said he, "is content'
ment with our LOT. We rarely learn
this 10 prosperity. 1t is not one o.
the lessons taught in that school.
"Anj you have learned III" said )
81 have been trying to learn it,
he ans wered, smiling. "But find
IL one Of the most difficult Of lessons
do not hope to acquire it perfectly
A cordial invitation to visit hi
family aud take tea with them fol
lowed, and was accepted. | mus.
own that prepared to 60 to the
Wightmans with some misgiving
as to the pleasure | should receive
Almost every one OF their old &C
quaintances, to whom had address
ed inquiries on the subject, spoke o
them with conmisseration, as Every
poor. II Wightman could bear tn,
change with philosophy,l hardly OK
pected to find the same Christian res
ignation in his vile, whom | remem
bered as g gay, lively woman, font
Of special pleasures.
Such we're my thoughts when
knocked at the door Of q small house
I that stood a little back from tn
street. 1t was quickly opened by
tall, neatly dressed girl, whose pleas
ant lace lighted into q smile OF vel
come as che pronounced my name
! "This is not MaryH" | said, as
took her proHersd hand.
"Yes, this is your little Mary,
!, che answered. "Father told me yo
were coming"
Mrs. Wightman came forward a
| entered the room into which th
front door opened, and gave lns
most cordial welcome. Least OF a
had time and reversss changed he,
Though little subdued, and rath,
> paler and thinner, her face had tn
old heart-warlnth In 1.-THE eye
u we're bright from the same cheerfl
spirit.
"How glad am to sec yon again
said Mrs. Wightmsn. And 81
J, was glad. Every play OF featur
every modulation Of tone, shove