The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-03-22
TIE LIGHTER BURDEN.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

A pleasant family sittlng-rOOm.
Time, evening. From the small
brOnzed chandelier hangs a drop-Ight
over the center table covered with
books. The warm air comes IN through
an open register, giving to the apart
ment a genial summer temperature.
The room is not large, nor the furni-
ture costly. Everything is plain, but
good and comfortable. Three young
children, who have closed their even
ing game of romps, have just passed
out with their mother. It is their bed
time, and their father sits alone. A
few minutes ago smiles 1t up his face,
caught from the children's gladness !;
but these smiles have faded; a cloud
has dropped down over his coulte-
nance; he is gloomy and troubled.
Thus sat Mr. Catherwood, when his
wife returned from the chamber where
shehad left her children in the keeping
of angels. Her heart was light; but
a hand seemed laid upon her bosom
the moment she came back into her
husbands presence. A feeling of
care and anxiety oppressed her. She
looked earnestly at her husband, and
saw that his brow was clouded.
What troubles your she asked.
" I hope nothing has gone wrong ?"
Everything is going wrong p Mr..
Catherwood answered. How we are
to make both ends meet, is more chan
I can tell. Coal has gone up to twelve
dollars ton 2"
To twelve dollars p
Yes; and everything else in pro-
portion. Food, clothing, taxes, nearly
all double what they were; and to-day
1 received notice that our rent would
be raised from four TO five hundred
dollars" y5l gss. tlsT3 ia1sHsJ
Mrs. Catherwood drew aaqIick, sigh
ing breath. ~
To five hundred dollars ?" she
responded, the trouble in her face
growing deeper.
Yes ; butif that we're all, said her
husband, "we might get along easily
enough. 1t is the advance in every
item of personal and household ex-
penditure that is going to break US
down"
"DOn't say break us down, Henry"
Mrs. CatherWood's voice was chOked.
"Ido say break US down." he re-
piled, with fretful mphasis. "What
is to hinder? Everything breaks
down when the burden goes beyond
the strength"
owe must begin to limit ourselves"
said Mrs. Catherwood. owe must !
tighten the burden by throwing over
all the superhuities, and even some of |
our comforts. Better this than break |
down.
"I wish the war was over" Mr..
CatherwOOd spoke with gloomy impa-
tience. Gift goes on much longer,
we shall have nothing left
" I think" answered Mrs. Gather
wood, in gentle, suggestive tone,
e that, compared with many others,
the war, SO far, has touched US very
lightly. We have not suffered the
abridgment Of single comfort"
"The abridgment is to come. It
is even now at our door," said Mr..
Catherwood. "And if the war con-
-inues,it will go on and on, until alb
3oluto want stares US in the face"
" IF need be that we suffer for our
country, let US do it patiently, replied
Mrs. Catherwood, who was of more
hopeful disposition than her husband.
She had already risen above the de-
pressing influence of his state. "In
my event, our circumstances are such,
hat we shall never be called to suffer
wen 1.-THE of the pain. that will be
aid on thousands of stricken hearts.
And in our portion of the common
burden be so very light in comparison
With our neighbor's burden, is it well
or US to complain I? With so much left
o be thankful for, is it not a sin to
nurmur? Thought of the starving
Union prisoners IN Richmond, as I sat
It our plentiful table this evening :;
f the fathers there, who left children
t home as dearly loved as ours; of
he husbands there, whose wives weep
or them bitter and unavailing tears.
)h, Henry ! for us complaint is sin p
Mr.. CatherWood made no reply to :
his, but dropped his eyes away from
is Wife's face and looked down at the {
oOr. Thought went to the starving
risoners at Richmond to the home f
ess men, women and children who were
an exile for love of country; I
D the thousands who had sacrificed q
heir all to the sick and wounded in 7
ne hospitals to the sorrowing ones
catered all over the country who !
lourned their loved and lost. He felt =
ebuked. .
The door Of the room opened with /
jerk, and servant came in. Her V
tanner was excited. 0
What's wanted?" asked Mrs. C
"They've sent for you next door" I
Mrs. Catherwood started to her feet. !
g Is anything wrong there p she
3ked, alarmed by the servants tone p
i'd appearance.
Yes, ma'am. They've got bad y
ews, and Mrs. Lester has tainted 3
cad away" a
" News from Captain Le8ter?" Il
eyes, ma'am. He's killed they "
"" o'
Mrs. Catherwood struck her hands "
gether, and uttered an exclamation l
surprise and pain. a a
"When did it happen?" asked Mr.. III
He spoke with forced
Imness. His face had become pale.
''They didn't tell me, sir. The p
RI was all in a furry, and said, please 81
k Mrs. Catherwood to come right
% I
No delay occurred. Without stop n,
ng for shawl or hood, Mrs. Gather
! - = l. - Qis LJ