Litchfield enquirer., 1862-07-24
Hlisfella1tp.
EYES OPEN.

EYES OPEN.
Our minister said in his sermon last evening
said Mrs. Beach, the wife of a prosperous whole
sale dry good merchant, on Market street, as she
busted her mantle of porcelain and marble OF
Monday morning, that he that wanted to be good
must be on the constant look out for opportuni
ties; that God does not find our work, and bring
it ready fitted and prepared to our hands bu
through it as Christ and the Apostles did with
eyes open looking for the sick and suffering
poor and oppressed.
Now, am certain, continued the lady, as she
|replsced q marble Diana in the center of the
mantle, should like to do some good every day
lone feels 50 much better when they 60 to rest
ct night, and I'll just keep my eyes open TO- day,
and see if come across any opportunities that
under ordinary circumstances should let slip
Half an hour later, Mrs. Beach was in her nur.
surery with the wash woman, who had come for
the clothes.
I wish, Mrs. Simms, said she, as she heaped
the soiled linen into the basket, that you would
get Tommy's aprons ready for Wednesday; we
are going out of town to remain until Saturday,
and shall want good supply on hand for such
a careless little scamp as he.
Well, I'll try, Ma'am said the washer woman
I've got behind hand good deal since Sammy
got the whooping cough but now he is better, I
must try to make up for lost time.
Has he had the whooping cough? Poor lit
tie fellow. How old is he 2 questioned the old
lady.
'He was three last April, ma'am.'
And Tom is four unused the lady. Look here,
Mrs. Simms, won't you Just open the lower draw
er of that bureau, and take out those four green
worsted dresses in the corner? Toms out
grown them, you see, since last winter, but they
are almost as good as new. Now, if you want
them for little Sammy, they'll do nicely without
altering, think.
want them, Mrs. Beach 7 answered the wash
er woman, with tears starting into her dim eyes
I haven't any words to thank you or tell you
what a treasure they'll be. Why, they will keep
the little fellow as warm as toast all winter
| WELL I'll place them on top of the clothes,
said the lady, smiling to herself as she thought
my eyes have been open once to-day
| Not long afterwards Mrs. Beach was on her
keeper,) when she met boy who had lived
short time in her family the year before, to do
errands, wait ON the door, &c. He was bright
good hearted, merry faced boy, and had been a
great favorite with the family, and Mrs. Beach
had been interested in him; but this morning
she was in quite hurry and would have passed
the child with cordial but hasty, How are you
Joseph, my boy? Do come and see u.s. had it
| struck her that Joseph's face did not bear its
usual happy expression. She paused as the
memory OF last nights sermon flashed through,
and she asked, Is anything the matter with you
Joseph? You do not look as happy as you
used to-
The boy locked up moment, with half
doubling, half confding expression into the lads
face; the latter triumphed Mr.. Anderset,'s
moved out Of town. he said, pushing back his
worn, but neatly brushed cap, from his hair !; $50
I've lost my place, and little Mary's sick, ana it
makes it very bad just now.
so it does,' answered Mrs. Beach, her sympa-
thies warmly enlisted. But never mind, Joseph;
l remember only night before last, my brother
said he would want new GRAND boy, in few
days, for his store, and he'd give good one two
get the situation for you, if you like
The boys white face frightened. 20! l
should be SO glad of it, Mrs. Beach,
And see see here, Joseph, I'm going to mar
ket, and perhaps, I can find something nice for
little Mary The lady remembered that Jo-
seph's mother, thong poor seamstress, was
very proud woman, and felt that this would be
delicate way of presenting her gift.
So she found some delicious pears and grapes,
and nice chicken to make some broth for Mary,
who she learned, was i'll with fever, before she
proceeded to do her own marketing: But it was
pity that the lady did not see Joseph, as he
| sprung into the chamber, where little Mary lay
YEARLY moaning on her bed, while her mother
sat busily stitching in one corner, and held up
the chicken and the fruit crying, Good newsl
good newsl I've got all these nice things for
Mary, and place at two dollars week
o! how little Mary's hot fingers closed over
the punches of white grrpes, while the sewing
dropped from her mothers fingers, as the tears
| ran down her cheeks.
It was evening, and Mrs. Beach sat in the L.
| brary, absorbed in some new book, when she
heard her husbands step in the hall. Though
| the morning had been's 80 pleasant, the afternoon
was cloudy, and the day had gone downin low,
sullen, penetrating rain. ~ -
Now Mrs. Beach loved her husband with the
love of true wife, but be was not q demonstra-
tive man, and the first beauty and poetry ftheir
| married life had settled down into a somewhat
bare, every day, matter-offact existence. But
| her heart was warm to night-warm With the
good deeds of the day, and remembering her
resolution of the morning, she threw down her
book, and ran down stairs.
Henry, dear, said the soft voice of the wife,
has the rain wet you, at all Let me take off
your coat for you.'
Thank you, Mary, don't believe I'm any
wise injured, but you may help me, just for the
Pleasufe VI Vi anu ne stooo Stili, whiie sue re-
moved the heavy coat, with all the softness of
touch and movement, which belong to woman.
She hung it up, and then the husband drew her
to his heart with all the old lover tenderness,
You are very thoughtful of me, Mary, my
wife, he said.
And there was music in Mrs. Beach's heart as
she went up stairs-musie set to the words -
Eyes open! eyes open p Arthur's Home Mag
azins.
IT BEATS THE DEvn--Speaking of jokers we
meet with a good many of them lodging about