The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-08-17
SELECTED i STORY. S II ~.
A Rift in the Cloud. u
A STORY FOR MARRIED FOLKS.

Andrew Lee came home from his shop where
he had worked all day, tired and out Of spirits;
came home to his wife, who was also tired and
out of spirits 'sr-o rs tIi lr.tYT
"A smiling wife and cheerful homc-a
paradise it would be-" said Andrew to himself,
rs he turned his eyes from the ,clouded face of
Mrs. Lee, and sat down with knitted brows and
moody aspect
Not word was spoken by either Mrs Lee
was getting supper, and sic moved about with
awcary step.
''Comc," she said at last, with Il side glance
at her husband i. 4 tHhH,H .d
ANDREW arose and went to the table He
was tempted to speak an angry word, but con-
trollcd himself and kcptsilc Hc'could find
no fault with the chop nor the homemade
bread, nor the fragrant tea, Thcy would have
cheercd his inward man if there had been H.
gleam of sunshine ON the face Of his wife He
noticed she did not cat ...;.s., -,.f .y,,.. ~.
''4Are you not well, Mary?" The words were
on his lips, but he did not utter them, for. the
face of his wife looked SO ,repcllant, that he
feared an irritating reply ,,~--~------ .---.--,-
And so, in moody silence, the twain sat to-
gethcr until Andrew had finished his supper
AS he pushed, his chair back, his wife arose and
commenced clearing of the table
"This is purgatory" I" said Lee to himself, as
he commenced walking the floor of their little
breakfast room, with his hands thrust dcspc-
rately. away down into his trowscrs' pockets,
and his chin almost touching his breast.
After removing all the dishes and taking
them into the Kitchen, Mrs. Lee spread green
cover on the table, and placing fresh trimmed
lamp thereon, went out and shut, the door, after
her, leaving her husband alone with his n,l-
pleasant feelings He took a long deep breath
as he did so, paused iii his walk, stood still for
some moments, and when drawing paper fronss
his pocket sat down by the table, opened The
sheet, and !, commenced reading. Sngulariy
enough, the words upon which his eyes rested
were Praise your wife" They rather tended
to increase the disturbance of mind from which
lie was suffering. ''s' '.H'
Il should, like to lind some occasion for prais-
ing min" Ia How, quickly his thoughts cx-
pressed that ill-naturcd sentiments But his
eyes wercon thc'paSc before him, an, :, - ,.o
ysgi,s-r - iNH .gtapeH .A,a.r JsaT'Ha w !eau
on.,.st ast!i27h 7isi, iao,l r,s da -rao 'a ~
"Praisc your wife, man; for PHYS sake give
her little encouragement. 1t won't hurt
her"
s |.6.- .f ,.tl 81
Andrew Ice raised his eyes from the paper,
and muttcrcd, go, ycs;that's.all very we'll.
Praise is cheap ciioughcd But praise her for
what? For being aullcp, and making her
home the most disagrccablc place in the
world z" His eyes fell again TO the paper. II
''Shc has made your homo comfortable, your
heart bright and shining, your food agree
able; forpity's sake tell hor you thank her, If
nothing more. She don't expect it; it will
make her eyes open wider than thoy have for
and you too" i
: 1t seemed to Andrew as if this sentence was
written just for him, and just for the occasion
1t was 4 complete answer to his question.
praise her for what ?" and he felt it also Il
rebukc Flo read no further for thought came
too busy and in new direction, Memory was
convicting him of injustice TO his wife. Stc
had always made. his home as comfortable for
him as her hands could make it, and had he
offered the light return Of praise or commcnda-
ton? Had he ever told licr of the satisfac
ton he had known, or thotcomfort he had ex-
pcrienccd? lie was not able to recall the
time or occasion. AS he thought thus, Mrs