The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-07-28

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sphere of tenderness went out from her, ant
penetrated his feelings. A bond had al
ready corded itself around them both, ant
love was springing into life.
What have you there? sharply question
cd Mrs. Thomson irrs - s,a.
Joe felt the child start and shrink agains,
him. He did not reply, except by lool
that was pleading and cautionary, that said
wait q moment for explanations, and b,
gentle; and passing in, carried Maggie tc
the small chamber on the first floor, and
laid her upon bed. Then stepping back
he shut the door and stood face to face with
his yinegar-tempered wife in the .passag,
way outside. "a M e re sso7 sai au
You haven't brought home thar sick
brat? Anger and astonishmeat were in
the tones of Mrs. Thomson-her face was
in flame.
Il think women's hearts are sometimes
very bard said Joe. Usually Joe Thorn
son got out of his wife's way or kept ri gid.
ly silent and non. .combative when she fred
up on auy snbjeet. Itwas with some sur.
prise, therefore, that she now encountered
a firmly. set countenance and a resolute
pair of eyes. rs ybse..
!sWomen's hearts are not half so hard as
mems 3, s3f- m ss
Joe saw, by a quick intuition, that his
resolute bearing had impressed his wife,
and be answered quickly, and with real in.
dignation. BE that as it may, every woman
at the funeral turned her ayes steadily from
the sick child's face; and, when the cart
went off, left her alone in that old hut,
with the sun not an hour in the sky
Where were John aad Kate?' asked Mrs
Thomson.
Farmer Jones tossed John into his wag,
on and drove off. Kate went home with
Mrs. Ellis, but nobody wanted the poor sick
one. Send her to the poor house, was the
cry III ss i,g
why didn't youlet her go, thenq What
dill you bring her here for?
She can't walk to the poor house., said
Joe; somebody's arms must carry her, and
mine are strong enough for that task
Then why didn't you keep ong Why
did you stop here?' demanded his wife -
Because | am not apt to go on FOOLS er-
rands. The Guardians must first be seen.
and permit obtained. s.1a3 &
There was no gain saying this. II
when will you see the Guardiansg was
asked, with irrepressible impatience.
To morrow s
sWhy put it of until Tomorrow Go at
once for the permit, and get the whole thing
off of our hands to night
Jane said the wheelwright, " ith an i'm.
pressiveness of tone that greatly subdued
his wife. 4 read in the Bible sometimes and
find much said about little children. How
the Savior rebuked the disciples who would
not receive them; how he took them up in
his ar ms and blessed them; and how he
said that whosoever gave them ever cup
OF cold water should not 60 unrewarled-
Now, it is small thing for US to keep this
poor motherless little one for single night;
to be kind to her for single night; to make
her life comfortable for a single night a
The voice of the strong rough man shook,
and he turned his head away, so that the
moisture in his eyes might not be seem
Mrs. Thomson did not answer, but soft
feeling crept into her heart.
Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her
kindly said Joe. think of her dead
mother and the loneliness, the pain, the sor.
row that must be on all her coming life >
The softness Of his heart gave unwonted eli.
oquence to his lips.
1 Mrs. Thomson did not reply. but pres.
emily turned towards the little chamber
where her husband had deposited Maggie;
and pushing open the door went quietly in.
Joe did not follow. he saw that her state
had changed, and felt that it would be best
to leave her alone with the child. SO be
went to his shop, which stood near the
house, and worked until dusky evening re-
leased him from labor. A light shining
through the little chamber window was the
first object that attracted Joe's attention on
turning towards the house; it was good
omen. The path led him by the window,
and when opposite he could not help paus.
ing to look in, Il was now somewhat dark
outside, enough to screen him from obserya
tion. Maggie lay, a little raised on pill
low, with the lamp shining full upon her
face. Mrs. Thomson was sitting by the bed ,
talking to the child; but her. back was
towards tde window, so that her counte.
nance was not seen. From Maggie's face,
therefore, Joe must read the character OF
heir intercourse. He saw her eyes were
intently fixed upon bis wife, that now and
hen few words came, as ii in answers.
from her lips; that her expression was sad
md tender, but he say nothing Of bitter.
ness or pain. A deep-drawn breath was
followed by one Of relief, as weight lifted
Itself from his heaat. s'. =" &C. 81
On entering, Joe did not go Immediately
% the little chamber. His heavy tread
lbout the kitchen brought his wife some
what hurriedly from the room where she
,ad been with Maggie. Joe thought it
best not to refer to the child, nor 70 mani
est any concern in regard to her.
How soon will supper be ready? he
Isked, So 6
sRight soon' answered Mrs Tbomsoy