The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-04-26
Richmond, Wayne County, indiana,

ed her.
She sat down 10 a low chair by her kisch
en- table. and rested her forehesd On her
hand. The hard, hetful. angry look wen,
out from her face. and was succeeded by .
soft, thoughtful expression, and the sun
shine hovered in yearning, golden. shifting
beauty about her.
! And the years Of Mrs. Parsons married
life rose up pale and sorrowful faces from
the dead. and looked reproachfuliy upon
her. and suddenly, in shure, clear. strong
feau, ares, stood revealed to her reused con-
science the heavy part she had borne in all
the sin and misery that had blasted her
married lie.
| And then her womsn's memory went
back to her first acquaintance with Isaac
| Parsons; he had chosen her from among .
score of others. who envied her that good
fortune; and now the early days of their
courtship came over the sostened heart OF
she woman rs the first winds Of the spring
come up from the south. and go softly over
the bare despairing earth. Then she saw
herself once more. . shy. tremulous, joyful
bride at the altar, leaning on the strong arm
and tender heart of Isaac Parsons, to whom
she gave herself gladly and .trustfully As q
won an should.
And she remembered that morning. . lit
tie later. when her proud and happy young
husband brought her to the house which
had been his fathers, AMI now for a little
while the thought of her being mistress of
the great old farm house fairly frightened
the wits of her.
She meant to make it . sweet aud happy
home for Isaac Parsons. She remembered
as though it had all happened yesterday.
the little plans and contrivances she had
made for his surprise and their mutual
comfort.
But the quar- rel came. How we'll she
remembered it. and how clearly she saw
now, the foolish and sinful part she had
borne IN that. If she had controlled her
temper thsn-if she had only been gentle
aud patient, forbe caring and iergiving, instead
Of being proud and passionate, fretful and
stubborn Ii she had only borne her wo.
mans burdens, and done her wonan's du-
ties Here the vile and mother broke
down; she buried her face in her apron. and
cried like child.
Mrs. Parsons was an energetic determined
woman. and when she had once pade up
her miod on aay course of action, she would
not shrink back from it. What went on in
the sofiened woman's heart that morning, as
she sat with her apron to her eyes, and the
sobs in her rocking TO and fro in her low
chair, and the sweet. restless sunshine all
about her-what went on in the woman's
softened heart only God aud the angels
know.
"Are YOU tired, Isaac ?"
| The farmer was wiping bis face and
hands on the brown crash towel which hung
.lnear the window, He was tall. stalwart.
muscular man. sun Drowned and weather.
beaten, yet had keen, kindly eyes, and the
hard features had an honest, intelligent ex-
preston Mrs. Parsons was cutting a loaf
of rye bread at the kitchen table. Her hus-
| band turned and looked at her a moment as
though he half doubted whether he had
heard Alright. His wife's face was bent
over the bread, and he could not see it; but
the words came second time:
"Are you tired. Isaac -
! II was long time since Mr. Parsons had
heard that quiet voice. 1t stole over his
well, yes, l do feel kind Of tuckered
out. It's hard work to get in all that corn
with only one hand beside Roger"
Il reckoned 50; and | thought I'd brol
the chicken for tea, and bake the sweet po-
ta,oes, as you'd relish them best so.'
Mr.. Parsons did not say word; he sal
down and took the weekly paper on. of his
pocket. but his thoughts were too busy TO
let him read one word. He knew very well
his wife's aversion to broiled chicken. and
as the kitchen was her undisputed territory
he was obliged to submit to have his chick
ems stewed, and his potatoes served up in
sauce. notwithstanding she was perfectly
aware that he preferred the former broiled
and the latter baked and this unusual def
ereuce to his taste fairly struck the farmer
dumb with establishment, and he sat still
and watched his wife as she hurried from
the pantry to the table, in her preparations
for tea; and then there came across him tbs
memory OF some Of the harsh. angry word
he had spoken during their quarrel tha
morning. and the words smote the man.
heart.
And while Mrs. Parsons was in the mids
of taking up the dainty broiled chicken, tive
!, boys and girl burst into the kitchen.
Hush, hush. children" wound in among
the obs,reperous mirth like silver chime
the soft voice of the mother Fathers bu
sy reading the paper. and you'll disturb
him.
J The children were silenced at once, no
in fear of the reproof. but in the wonder a
5 it. for the wife as seldom consulted the hus
: bands taste aud convenience in these small
every day matters whicn make the happi
ness or irritation OF our lives. as he did hers
II few minutes the hungry family
gathered around the table. There was li.tl
said during the meal, but a sober. kindlie
atmosphere seemed 10 prevade the room
: The children felt it. though they did no
speak of it.
> Are you going out this evening, Isaac
t "Well, yes, thought Ia step around Z
1 the town meeting. Want anything at tn
f sto.e?" continued Mr.. Parsons, a. he ,rie,
4 to button his collar before the old -fashione,
5 looking glass. whose mahogany frame va
, mounted with boughs of evergreen, aroun
which scarlet berries hung their charm q
l rubies.
1 But the man's large fingers were clums,
: and after several Intellectual attempts to &C
: complish his purpose. Mr.. Parsons droppe
, his hands with an angry gruns, thas th
thing wouldn't work