The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-02-18

house, and worked until dusky ey ening
released him from his labor.
A light shining through the little cham
ber window was the first object that at
tracted his attention on turning towards
the house; it was..a good omen. The path
led him by this window, and when oppo-
site, he could not help pausing to look in.
It was now dark enough outside to screen
him from observation. Maggie lay lit
tie raised on her pillow, with the sslamp
shining full upon her face. Mrs. Thomp-
son was sitting by the bed talking to the
child, but her back was towards the window
so that her countenance was not seen.
From Maggie's face, therefore, Joe must
read the character of their intercourse.
He saw that her eyes were intently fixed
upon his wife, and that now and then
few words came as if in answer from her
but he saw nothing of bitterness or pain.
A deep-drawn breath was followed by one
Of relief, as weight lifted from his
heart
On entering, Joe did not 60 immediate
lly to the little chamber. His heavy tread
about the kitchen brought his wife some
what hurriedly from the room where she
had been with Maggie. Joe thought it
best not to refer to the child, nor to man
|ifest any regard to her.
allow soon will supper be ready?" he
asked.
j "Right soon," answered Mrs Thomp-
son, beginning to hustle about. There
was no asperity in her voice.
After washing from his hands and face
the dust and soil Of work, Joe left the
kitchen and went into the little bedroom.
: A pair of large bright eyes looked up at
F him from the snowy bed; looked at him
tenderly, gratefully, pleadingly. How his
: heart swelled in his bosom! With what
a quicker motion came the heartbeats!
Joe sat down, and now for the first time
/ examining the thin face carefully under
the lamp-light, saw that it was an attrac-
tive face, full of childish sweetness, which
suffering had not been able to obliterate.
"Your name is Maggie?' he said, as
: he sat down and took her soft hand in his.
Eyes sir" Her voice struck cord
that quivered in low strain of music.
7 "Have you been long sick?"
eyes sir" What sweet patience was
> in her tone!
3 elias the doctor been to see you?'
ssHe used to come
e "But not lately?"
4 "No sir"
e "Have you any pain?''
"This morning my side ached, and my
< back hurt when you carried me"
n cit hurts you to be lifted or moved
+ about?"
Eyes, sir. 80
: ssYour side doesn't ache now"
e ssNo sir"
r "Does it ache great deal?"
e "Y es sir; but it hasn't ached any since
e I've been on this soft bed?'
! "The soft bed feels good?"
) 80 yes, sir-so good!' What salts
faction mingled with her gratitude, wa
d in her voice!n
"Supper is ready" said Mrs Thompson
is looking into the room little afterwards
e. Joe glanced from his wife to that o
Il Maggie; she understood him and answered
" eShe can wait until we are done; then
3 will bring her something to eat Their
a was an effort of indifference on the part G
ID Mrs. Thompson; but her husband had see
le her through the window, and understoo
lr that the coldness was assumed. Joe waite
& after sitting down to the table, for his viii
to introduce the subject uppermost in bot
their thoughts, but she kept silent on tn,
e theme for many minutes, and he maintain
- ed q like reserve At last she said abrup
he ly.-
:. "What are you going to do with th'
child?''
n9l 81 thought you understood me that 81
was to go to the poor house" replied 10
), as if surprised at her question.
~ :, Mrs Thompson looked rather strangel
At at at her husband for some moments, ar
then dropped her eyes. The subject VI
not again referred to during the meal.
" its close Mrs. Thompson toasted sill
of bread, and softened it with milk al
Is butter; adding to this cup oftea. she,stot
be them into Maggie, and held the sma
waiter on which she had placed them viii
., the hungry child ate with every sign
q pleasure.
.sIs it good?" asked Mrs. Thompso
seeing with what keen relish the fo,
no was taken.
lie The child paused with the cup in h
hand and answered with look of gratitu
an that awoke to new life cid humane feelin
,is which had been slumbering in, her heartf
nd near score of years.
ow 'Well keep her day or two longt
no she is SO weak and helpless" said Nj
ok Joe Thompson, in answer to her husband
M; remark, at breakfast time the next mo
we ming, that he must see the Guardians
go the Poor about Magg.
for qsShe'll be so much in our way, +" sa
me Joe. Il s5 b. 7
ia 81 shant mind that for day or tv
Poor thingP' g 3aze5sE -
AN Joe did not see the Guardians of t
rat Poor on that day, on the next day, nor
en-. the following. In fact he never saw the
oft at all on Maggies account, for in X
thar week Mrs. Joe Thompson wou
to- as soon have thought of taking up h
her own abode in the almshouss as sendi
'w, Maggie there.
e." What light and blessing did that ST
l. y -