The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-30

very large bay which was almost a room in
itself, so that any one who retired there with
his book or his writing would be compare
lively alone II was rather dangerous room
in one respect, as IL was not always easy TO see
If any one was established at the farther end Of
it. There was a large party in the house at
the time, and one of the guests was the wife
of an eminent parsonage who was also staying
there. She was extremely handsome, and
both were talented, agreeable, aud accom-
plished. But he was the last of his race, and
the happiness of their married life was said to
be mdhqU6d by their having no children. Lady
- was sitting listlessly by the fire when
Mrs. - pounced upon her as a good subject
for her powers of fvictimizing.
care you i'll to-day, dear Lady -Y You
look SO pale and weary"
No; Lady - was quite well; as well as
she ever was.
"Perhaps your spirits are a little low; and
no wonder, poor thing you mast often feel
sad, and especially here, where there are so
many children to remind you Of your disap-
pointment in not having any. | assure you |
can feel for you, for it was my own case. But
then 1t was 80 different. 1t was no particular
object to me to have childeen but it is Of such
consequence to you; and then nothing sours
man so much as disappointment Of this kind.
] dare say you feel it so"
The poor lady, whose eyes had filed with
tears at this harangue, protested against any
supposition of the kind, saying that Lord -
was often worried and overworked in his Office,
but had the sweetest temper imaginable.
"Ah, poor man that makes one feel still
more sorry for him, especially when l remem-
bcr that his object in marrying was to secure
an heir to his name, and to that magnificent
property. l declare it is wonderful to see
how well he bears such continual NORTH
cation"
But Lady - evidently could not bear to
hear any more and, rising hastily, left the
room, while her companion continued her
crochet with complacent smile on her coun-
tenance, delighted, doubtless, at the pain
which her venemous words had evidently pro-
duced. Presently, after sauntering a little
about the room, she finally seated herself by
the side of a sofa on which lady, apparently
in delicate health, was lying.
"My dear Lady Jane, did not expect to see
you downstairs to-day. am delighted to find
that you are better, for every one seemed
quite alarmed lest you should be detained
much longer, and so the event come off here.
You must be longing to get home safely" Lady
Jane assures her that she is much better, and
has no doubt of being able to go home in
day or two. "Of course you must be anxious
to do so with such a tribe Of children; let me
see, how many are theref Four - four
in five years and there will soon be fifth
you so much and poor Arthur still more. 1t
is such drag upon a man while he is still
young, if he is not a millionaire to feel
that he has so many children to provide for"
Lady Jane replies cheerGully that she does
not think it is so in her case, for her husband
is devoted to his children.
"Ah, my dear, that may be so now, while
the children are so young, such mere babies;
but for young man to have his son treading
upon his heels is the greatest possible annoy
ance, can assure you"
In spite of Mrs. IS kind compassion,
Lady Jane does not seem to take her aftliction
greatly to heart; the truth being that she was
in the room all the time while Mrs. - was
lamenting over the opposite misfortune in
Lady is case, so her shafts, venomous as
they were, fell harmless.
We might enumerate numberless instances
of this kind of cruelty; for too many people
wound others gratuitously, for the simple
love of giving pain. But if we believe that
we shall be judged for every "idle word,
surely a heavy retribution must await those
whose words are blighting and cruel, who
have ''the poison of asps under their lips.'
1t is impossible to overrate the value of ten
derness for the feelings of others. Kindness
is like mercy ''twice blessed, and blesses him
that gives and him that takes" Kind words
are the emusic of the world" The desolate
homes, the lifelong disunion, the aching
hearts that harsh and cruel words have pro-
duced, can never be all enumerated.
A popular author says that he ''oould sooner
face all his sins at the last day than his un-
Kindness"
30 ye, who meeting sigh to part
Whose words are treasures to some heart,
Deal gently ere the dark days come,
When earth has but for one q home,
Lest musing DER the past, like me,
You feel your hearts wrung bitterly,
Ard needing not what else you heard,
Dwell weeping on careless word."