Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-10-13

N'I'y was III lno EOOm-hIItyI my usually
joyous girl, now standing in q pensive atti-
tude by the window.
1t was important that my children should
respect me, and felt, of course. anxious to
obliterate from her mind eny impression of
weakness might have given her the pre-
vious night.
This is glorious day, Kitty = / ex-
claimed. expansively-'a glorious day, my
child; the day on which we as nation de-
clared ourselves independent. To. day we
must all be jubilsnt, victorious We must
not mOpe in the house-we must ride or
sail somewhere in q grand family excursion
and breathe the sunshine and the glorious
air of Freedom, sh?
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 bistory-read of
Geo. Washington, and the glorious raen
who suffered and died that we might be
free-FREE repeated, seating myself,
and bringing nv fist down with emphasis
upon the arh Of the chair. Yes. we must
all celebrate this day and DOW, KITTY, do
not he afraid to tell me where You would
like to 60 or how we shall best enjoy
it,
By this time Kitty's face seemed fairly
glued to the window. was seriously dis
pleased, insulted who had ever enforced
flial respect as the first doctrine of the
household and here was open defiance in
the least expected quarter; and that, too,
ate: had unbent myself to an UNUSUAL de-
gree.
katharine! exclaimed, in terrible
voice. sturdily thrusting back unpleasant
memories Of the past night, what do YOU
mean by this conducts?
She turned; her lips were white and her
eyes swimming with tears. In a moment
she was beside me, her hand upon nv
shoulder.
Father said she looking me full in the
face. 90 you mean what you say wber
you ask me in what manner l would wish
to celebrate this glorious Independence
Day?
Certainly. child,' I answered, turning
uncOmfortably in my seat and striving TO
look patriarchal and Indifferent
Then, father, dear father cried Kitty,
winding her arms about my neck. make
this an Independent Day for yourself, for
us all. Be slave no more but be FREE in
the sight Of God aud your own soul p
Where was all my paterral dignity now?
nifty was snbblng upon nv bosom; and
from my bowed face tears were falling up-
on her golden hair.
Do. father. do she pleaded. 1T is not
too late; we all love you yet; and mothers
heart is breaking
Even then, as | strained Kitty to nv boz
som, that mother entered the room. Not
word was spoken, yet she understood sill
and cast herself on her knees beside me,
looking earnestly into my eyes.
John said she.I have never reproached
you-will you promise p
Jes' / cried, folding my darlings to nv
heart in close embrace-'before G ID, and
y yOr my wife and child, promise what
you wish y
Never to drink wine any more?' cried
Kitty, holding my face between her hands,
Joyous light sparkling through her tears
Never ? echoed my wife. clasping my
ands in hers.
'Nerer.' answered. with Gods helm.
will never taste wine nor strong liuunr
nf any kind again. From this hour oL-si
be free Oh, MurJ, can you forgive me
for the past?'
She did not reply, but she leaned and
kissed me in way that made my resolu-
ton iron.
inst then the chillren-dear unconcious
little ones bounded into the room
'Hnrrah, fatherp they shouted. '!Iur- |
rah for the Fourth of July! Hi! Amt we |
having grand fun thought
'Iurrah!' l responded, huskily, kissing
each OF the azy little creatures 10 turn -
'And nov lot US hasten to our breakfast, for |
we must have jolly time to-day!
Indeed we shall! laughed my wife as |
she hustled about, with color in her cheek,
aud the old, girlish light kindling in her
eye; Indeed we shall. Why, John, nev.
or felt so happy in my life?'
All this happened some years ago. Time |
has done many queer things in our family
since then. He has the baby into panta-
Iopns; carried our oldest to colIege; married |
\ itty to thriving young lawyer; woven
little Silvery threads in Mary's hair and
mine; and, better than all has never
Brought US one unhappy anniversary of nv
blessed Internationally