The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-04-17


dressed girl, whose pleasant face lighted into a
"This is not Mary ?" I said as took her prof
fercd hand.
"Yes this is your little Mary" she answered,
81 Father told me you were coming"
Mrs. Wigh,mau came forward as | entered the
room into which the front door opened, and gave
me most cordial welcome. Least of all had time
and reverses changed her. Though a little sub
dued, and rather paler and thinner, her face had
the old heart-warmth in it the eyes were bright
from the same cheerful spirit
How glad am TO see you again!" said Mrs,
Wightman. And she was glad Every play Of
feature, every modulation of tone, showed this.
Soon her husband came in, and then she excused
herself with smile, and went ont, as very well
understood, to see after tea. In little while sup
per was ready, and sat down, with the family, in
their small breakfast room, to one of the pleasant
! est meals have ever enjoyed a second daugh-
! ter, who was learning trade, cam, in just as we
were taking our places at the table, and was n-
sroduced. What a beautiful glow was upon her
Young countcnanccl she was the very image of
health and checriulncss.
When met WiChtman in the street, thought
his countcnance wore something of troubled as
pect - this was the first impression it made upon
me- Now, as looked into his face, and listened to
his cheerful, animated conversation full of life 5
true philosophy, could not but feel emotion Of
wonder. every pcor" How litsle did old friends,
who covered their neglect of this family with these
commisrrnting words, know of their real state.
How little did they dream that sweet peace folded
her wings in that humble dwelling nightly and
that morning brought to each a cheerful, rcsolutc
spirit, which bore them bravcy through all their
daily toll.
How are you getting along, now, Wightmln?"
asked, as, after bidding good evening to his pleas
ant family. stood with him at the gate opening
from the street to his modest dwelling.
{" Very wcil,'' was his cheerful reply. 1T was
up hill work for several years, when only rccciv-
ed five hundred dollars salary MS clerk, and all my
young. But now two of them earning some
thing, and receive eight hundred dollars instead
of five. We have managed to save enough to buy
this snug little house The last payment was
made month since. am beginning to feel rich"
And he laughed pleasant laugh.
"y,ry poor" | said to myself, mrsingly, as
walked away from the humble abode of the Wight
mans. "Ncry poor. The words have had wrong
application
On the next day | met Payson.
81 spent last evening with the Wightmans,' said
!.
{" Indeed How did you find them? Very poor,
of course"
81 have not met more cheerful family for years.
No, Mr.. Payson, they not very poor for they
take what the great Father sends, and use it with
thankiulncss. These who ever want more thnn
they possess are the very poor. But such arc not
the Wightmnns."
PaysOn looked at me n moment or two curiously
and then let his eyes fall to the ground. A little
while he mused. Light was breaking in upon him.
~ CuutcutvA and th"ukfui'' said hc, nning his
ewes from the ground. "Ah my friend, if and
mine were only contcntcd and thankful" !"
"You have cause to be-" | remarked. "Thc
greath Father hath covered your table with bless
ings."
"And yet we are poor - very poor said he,
"fur we are neither contentcd nor thankful. We
ask for more than we possess, and, because it is
not given, we are frctiul and impatient. Yes, yes
- we, not the Wightmans, poor very poor"
And with these words on his lips, my old friend
turned from me, and walked slowly away, his head
bent in musing attitude to the ground. Not long at
terwards, heard that he had failed.
"Ah !" thought l, when this news reached me,
"now you are poor, very poor, indced!" And it
! SO