Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-08-03
Cur StOrg- TtIItr.
THE LIGHTER BURDEN,
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

A PLEASANT family sitting Time
evening. From the small bronzed chandelier
hangs drop-light over the centre table Gov
cred 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 furniture costly
Everything is plain, but good and cOmforta-
bic. Three young children, who have closed
their evening game Of romps, have just pass
ed out with their mother. 1t is their bed
time, aud their father sits alone. A few min
utes ago smiles lit up his face, caught from
the children's gladuess; but these smiles have
faded; cloud has dropped down over his
countenance; he is gloomy and troubled.
Thus sat Mr.. Catherwood, when his vile
returned from the chamber where she had
left her children in the keeping Of angels
Her heart was light; but load seemed laid
upon her bosom the moment she came hack
into her husbands presence. A feeling Of
care and anxiety oppressed her. She looked
earnestly at her husband, and saw that his
brow was cIouded.
What troubles your" she asked. Ihope
nothing has gone wrOng2"
Everything is going wrongr Mr.. Gather
wood answered. How we are to make both
ends meet, is more than I can tell. Coal has
gone up to twelve dollars tenl'
/ tlTo t,r-alye 5olIors9 9n
Yes; and everything else in proportion,
Food, clothing, taxes, nearly all double what
they weie: and to-day received notice that
our rent would be raised from four to five
hundred dollars"
Mrs. Catherwood drew quick, signing
breath.
To five hundred dollars 2" she responded,
The trouble in her lace growing deeper.
Yes; but if that were ALL said her hus-
band, 1--WE might get aleng easily enough
1t is the advance in every item of personal
and household expenditure that is going to
break US down."
Don't say break US down, Henry" Mrs.
Catherwood's voice was choked.
At do say break us down" !" he replied, with
fearful amphasis. What is to hinder p
Everything breaks down when the burden
goes beyond the strength"
I'VE must begin to limit ourselves" said
Mrs, Cathsrwood. We must tighten the
/ burden by throwing over all the superhuities,
and even some of our comforts. Better this
than break down"
81 wish the war was ever" Mr.. Gather
wood spoke with gloomy impatience. "Ifit
goes on much longer, we shall have nothing
left.
"I think" answered Mrs. Catherwoed, in
gentle, suggestive tone, " that, compared
with many others, the war, SO far, has touch.
ed US very lightly. We have rot suffered the
abridgement of single comfort"
"The abridgement is to come. 1t is even
now at our door," said Mr. Cathsrwood.-
" And if the war continues, it will go on snd
on, until absolute want Stares US in the face.
If need be that we suffer for our country
let US do it patiently replied Mrs Gather,
wood, who was Of more hopeful disposition
than her husband. She had already riser
above the depressing influence Of his state
In any event, our circumstances are such
that we shall never be called to suffer even {
1.-THE of the pain that will be laid on thou,
sands of stricken hearts. And if our portion
of the commen burden be so very light ii
comparison with our neighbours burden, is il
we'll for US to complain? With so much left
to be thankful for, is 1t not a sin to murmur
thought Of the starving Union prisoners il
Richmond, as I sat at our plentiful table this
evening; Of The fathers there who left chill.