The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-08-27
WooDsFIEID. MONROE COUNTY. OHIO AUGUST IL 1851


face with his tiny hand. Poor Tommy
stranger hands must relieve the wants
which until now no one but his mother
had heard.
The venerable physician looked grave
and sadly anxious while he examined the
particulars of his case and prescribed for
his suffering patient.
Mr.. Balm intercepted him in the hall as
he was donning his overcoat, and inquired
the nature of the case.
ga complication of diseases, sir" he
replied, "induced by exposure, over-ex-
ertion and want of rest. You are per-
haps not aware, sir, that your wife pos
sesses q very delicate constitution; and
she has been avertaxed, physically, until
she is worn down to mere wreck. These
are unpleasant facts, but none the less
true. A little rest and recreation would
perhaps have aEerted this attack, which,
/ fear, will prove fatal, as the fangs Of
disease seem to be upon every nerve of
her frame. / can give you little hope of
your wife's recovery 80 ,4s
For many days the dark-winged angel
fingered above that peaceful hearth-stone,
threatening to cast his dark shadow
atiwart its quiet light; while an anguish
ed spirit went forth to our All Father,
earnestly supplicating to be spared this
great, deep grief. The strong man was
bowed, while he counted the hours by the
bedside Of the sufferer. Gently as ten
der woman he bathed her burning brow,
or adjusted her pillows To have recall
ed health and elasticity to that wasted
form, he would have given all his posses
sions. What were these to him if his;
home was thus darkened, and his little
ones motherless7
Slowly and reluctantly the death angel
seemed to lift his shadow. Chill and fee
Bile was the life that came back to that
wretehed form; but when sLe tottered
from her sick chamber into the gushing.
sunshine, aud her feet again pressed the
spring violets and tender blades Of grass,
while the robins and bluebird's wildly
sweet trill welcomed her, the old light
seemed to come back to her eyes, and she
softly murmured: "Our Heavenly Fa-
ther, | thank thee"
She was supported by strong arm
not the careless, indifferent Mr.. Balm, but
the tender, loving. husband, who spoke
kindly and hopefully:
: "Nellie, as we have some cattle to ship
next week, 1 shall go down and order that
piano for you. You are, doubtless, out
of practice, but little time and applica-
tion will put you albright. And I have
engaged our old holsekeepef to come
back next week, and you shall have more
play and less work. Who knows but we
may have trip to Niagara this summer"
Reader, do you believe Mr.. Balm kept
his word? Verify he did. And if you
will come with me year hence, you may
enter their quiet sitting-room. Mr.. Balm
is just in from a hard days labor, and is
seated, feet elevated. and deeply engaged
in Mr.. P's last speech in Congress.
Tommy rolls on the carpet, pulling the
ears of his favorite dog. Nellie has just
finished her domestic duties for the even
ing, and is now seated at the piano, her
fingers ripping over the accompaniment
of an old ballad, while little Maggie is
perehed up at her side, turning over the
sheet of music. The glow of health is
not upon Nellie's'cheek, and perhaps may
never be again. Though she is not strong,
she is serene and happy, moving about
gently and quietly, and may be spared to
her now kind and tender husband and lit
tie ones many years to come. 0s
Mr.. Balm has learned to place proper.
estimate upon faithful wife, tender
and judicious mother; and let US hope she
will long be spared to bless his home.