Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-10-01

cough and strut about the room as
would, for l knew well enough the
pain and disgust guawing at her heart,
and that during the past year l had
given her too frequent cause for the
reproachcs that never came. though |
was prepared to receive them, after
each offence.
Cold water, however, and clean
clothes braccd me up omcwhat, and
soon after the second bell rang
strobe majestically through the halls.
severe in my dignity as head of the
household. Reaching the basement
door, l paused moment, half.dread-
ing to meet the rows of young faces
on either side of the table, and my
wife's sweet, pale countenance beam
ing so quietly over them all This
momentary weakness over, with a
pompous " ahem mustered the re-
uuisitc manner and entered.
There was no one at the table. and
only Kitty was in the room-Kitty,
my usually joyous girl. now standing
in pensive attitude by the window.
1t was important that my children
should respect me, and felt, of course.
anxious to obliterate from her mind
any impression of weakness l might
have given her the previous night.
"This is glorious day, Kitty"
exclaimed, expansiveIy-" glorious
day, my child /; the day of which we
as nation declared ourselves indc-
pendent. To-day we must all be iubi-
liant, victorious We must not nope
in the house-we must ride or sail
somewhere in grand family cxcm-
sion, and breathe the sunshine and
the glorious air of Freedom, eh ?"
Kitty did not even turn her head
but continued to speak, as | strobe
up and down the apartment. "
" Do you not enter into the spirit Of
the day. child Read your history.
read Of George Washington, and the
glorious men who suffered and died
that we might be frec-FREE Z" Ire-
peatcd, seating myself. and bringing
my fist down with emphasis upon tho
arm of the chair. i" Yes we must all
celebrate this day and now, Kitty.
do not bc afraid, and tell me where
You would like to 60, or how we shall
best enjoy it," #-.a .sr a.- .-a
By this time Kitty's face seemed
) fairly glued to the window. l was
seriously displeased, insulted II who
had ever enforced filial respect as
the first doctrine of the household,
; aud here was open defiance in tho
least-cxpccted quarter and that, too.
after had unbent myself to an unu-
sual degree.
i Katharine /" l exclaimed, in
terrible voice, sturdily thrusting back
unpleasant memories of the past
night, what do you mean by this
conduct
She turned her lips were white
and her eyes swimming with tears.
In a moment she was beside me, her
hand upon my shoulder.
Father" said she, looking me
full in the face, "do you mean what
. you say when you ask me in what
manner | would wish to celebrate
: this glorious Independence-Day ?"
Certainly, child" | answered.
turning uncomfortably in my seat aud
striving to look patriarchal and indif-
. ferent. ...r .sg --. ...
Then, father, dear father" cried
Kitty, winding her arms. about my
: neck, make this truly an lndcpend-
ence Day for yourself, for us all. Be
slave no more, but be free in the
) sight of God and your own soul !" .es
| Where was all my paternal dignity
now? Kitty was sobbing upon my
!, bosom and from by bowed face tears
, were falling upon her golden hair. 5
4 Do, father. do" she pleaded. 4" 1t
is not too late, we all love yon yet
, and mothers heart is breaking"
Even then, as strained Kitty ia
, my bosom, that mother entered the
, room. Not word was spoken. yet she
: understood all, and cast herself on her
! knees beside me, looking earnestly
into my eyes. .- -.. .F ...
j. John" said she. l have never re-
Z preached you-will You promise 2"
: "Iest"I cried, folding my darings
!, to my heart in cold embrace" be-
n fore God, and to yon my wife and
j. child. | promise what you wish '"
$ "Never to drink wine any more
e cried Kitty, holding my face between
: her hands, a joyous light sparkling
:. through her tears. -...-.... ........ .,,
e #" Never?" echoed my wife, clasp
c ing my hands in hers.
] !" Nerey,!nl L answered. "Witf
j. Gods help, will never taste wine mol
n strong liquorof any kind again. From
:, this hour | shall be free Oh, Mary
d can you forgive me for the past ?"
n She did not reply, but she leaned ant
S kissed me in q way that made my reso
!. luton iron. .
Q just then the chldren-dear, uncon
3 scious little ones bounded in.
Q Hurrah, father they shouted
! "Hurrah for the Fourth Of July Hi
I Amt we having grand fun though ~
t. =" Hurrah I'll responded, huskily
II kissing each Of the crazy little crea
Q lures in turn. And now let us has
: ten to our breakfast, for We must hav,
h. a Jolly time to-day
. "Indeed we shall /" laughed m.
,e wife, as she bustled about with colo
le in her cheek, and the old, girls
IT light kindling in her eye (; I" indee
h. we shall Why, John, | neverielt s.
e happy in my. life /" l #aa
n All this happened some yeas age
. Time has done many queer things i
o onr family since then. He has pu
% the baby into pantaloons carried on
ID Oldest boy to college married Kitty
to q thriving young lawyer; wovei
y little silvery threads in Mary''s hai
~ and mine and. better than all, ha'
id never brought us one unhappy ami
10 versary of my blessed Independence
"A hau hE "a