The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-12-06

foundation than stately rooms and costly
furniture. Wen take cozy little cottage
somewhere in the country, and for three
servants get along with one.'
Hearing these words, John Malcolm look
ed at his wife but he did not say then what
was in his heart "a thanksgiving to God for
the angel lie had sent to walk with him.
lie took her hand and held It close in his,
who told her of temptation which had be-
set him bcfre tn, failnrc of his house be-
came certain-a temptation by yielding to
which he could have saved himself from
failure. But it must have been by dishon-
est means, by taking advantage Of others in
his power-in short, by fraud, which.
though mans laws never could reach. Coils
did, with that eternal "Do unto others as ye
would they should do unto you."
30, thank God thank God you were de-
livered from this evil +! had rather you
should GO down to your grave without Q
dollar than have committed this sin," said
Mary Malcolm and the tears were bright in
her blue ewes.
And afterwards there fell little silence
betwixt those two, husband and wife. 1t
was brckenby the latter. S ie looked up into
the mans face. and her little fingers siftei
themselves through the dark hair that had
no shocks Of gray, and her look, bright,
grateful, loving, touched and covered great
deal
"What is it, Mary ~
81 was thinking. John, how much better
off to-day I am than thousands OF wives
throughout the land. How many there are
who sit in their lonely homes, wearing the
slow hours away with hopes and fears fol-
the husbands who have gone to the war,
and whose dreams at night are filled with
visions Of battle fields, where the one loved
face lies white and CHASTITY on the sodder
grass, with no hand to offer the last cup o
cold water, no ear to catch the last low
word. Ah, John, my eyes have never search
ed, as SO many eager eyes do, for your name
among the lists Of dead and wounded /; and
failed seems worI to thank God for, wher
7 think of that"
She was CRYING now-she. the broker
merchants wife-crying for joy.
"Mary," said John Malcolm, III neve1
I thought of this, never once thanked God TO
! it, though this day has been the darkest ant
the brightest of my life for out of the th'c'
cloud has its blessed light shincd."
And after a while their talk went on al
the practical matters and uses which s.
nearly cor,cerned them-the retrenchinl
their expenses, the selling the furniture a
once. and settling themselves in the cottag
as Mary called it. always speaking the wor'
with tone which gave it sweeter flavo
of home.
.T Gan get a clerkship, and we can con
trive to live on small salary until the wa
is over, which God grant may not he long
and aftcrward shall, doubtless, sec m
way clear into business again. But, Mary
don't yon know how folks will pity yon be
hind your back, and say you've come dow
drcadfully in the world, and say that it's
shame you ever threw yourself awa- O.
such poor dog as am ~
"They don't know what they're saying
then, and certainly shan't care for it,
Her smile was clear and bright now, as sur
shine that has struggled with the cloud, an
came out of it triumphant
"Well, Mary. a strong heart makes
stout ann, and shall toll with both for yo
and the children. as man does for thos
who are dearer than life to him."
"Dear John !"-her hand fnttering dow
on his shoulder in a pretty. carressing way
though her tones needed nothing more.
81 came. Mary, miserable, discouraged
broken spirited man and now l feel a
brave, as strong. as'cheerful, 'too, as eve
did in my lifs-aye. and richer; for
needed this day and this trial, to show m
what the woman have married was worth
and all she could he to me. o, Mary,
there were an,y more wives in the worl
like you y
Dear reader, have you ever stood, lik
this woman, face to face with adversely ,
and have you, too, learned in what spirit t
take It !?