The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-09-22
STANTON VIRGINIA. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER g. 1870.

thing was wrong.
eyes; | was discharged to night, and do
not know as l can get anything more to do
until spring. Business is so dull"
"Is that all p exclaimed his wife, with a
sigh of relief | thought it was something
terrible, the way you looked" .
"And is it not terrible enough What will
become of us this winter if | am out of EN-
ployment p
1.-The same God who feeds the sparrow,
and clothes the lilies of the field, will not let
us suffer, dear James
"God bless YOU Mary! There is sweet
comfort in your words"
And now let us have supper! exclaimed
his wife, cheerfu'ly See. have your ia
vorite dish-short cake and toast Do not
let your troubles impair your ppetite; and
them after tea. we will talk ii all over God
doth everything for the best Aud as our
| day so shall our strength be!
In the evening it was determined that tie
quarters rent should be paid immediately IA
new supply of coal obtained and the remain
ing portion Of the norey placed in the wife $
hands, to be dealt out sparingly as possible.
Then Mary suggested that all her pref par
lor furniture should be slowed away in the
garnet, and the front room let. Further than
this they could lay no plans, and as the hus-
band went out to pay his rent. the future
looked SO dark to the young wife, that she
could not altogether restrain her tears; bur
seeking strength from on high, her face wore
the same cheerful smile when her husband
| rof,,rpa1 ND i;ttIo IA IL hat 1nr
all that long night, while he and his baby
were SO soundIy sleeping, his wife lay awake,
| p,'...nn:ng out for the future.
Three months nave passed, with scarcely a
DAYS work in all that time. and now another
quarters rent is due. Ia vain the laborer
thrusts his hands away down into his empty
pockets, and in vain racks his braiD for some
solution of the problem how that rent is IL pc
paid. The ledger had paid his money month
ly; but then that was not enough to meet
the sum- if he had it, of course. his wife had
spent t.at as fast as she received it, aud it
was an everyday wonder to James how Mary
managed so well.
With feelings of deep despair he entered
the house. The table was spread with his
same favorite dishes There was the short
cake and toast hanked with a golden lump OF
butter, plate OF honey, and deep dish OF
roasted apples to be served with sugar and
cream. while at his witts plate sat She steam
| in. teapot As james took all at one
glance, he greatly wondered at The irvgal yet
comfortable way OF living How his wife
had been able to make the small afnount OF
money last so long was mystery (" nm ;
and vet he could not help wishing INV rdiy
that she had been nore economical; then
perhaps the rent might have hAan pald and
he felt that it would have been better to have
subsised on one crust day than to be turn
ed out of doors homeless.
He refused to sit up at the table, pleading
that he had 10 appetite. And great, large
| tears arose in the strong mans ey es as he IN
formed lis wife that on the morrow they
would be turned from their h"me to 90 he
knew not whittier, as he had not dollar In
his pocket to secure them even room else
where.
ssIs that it 2" exclaimed his wife, in soft
ripping tones. And tripping up stairs, she
soon returned aud placed two ten dollar bills
in his hand.
"Where did you get them p he exclaimed
| turning them over aud over in his hands, al
though to ascertain whether they were rea y
genuine Or not.
Il earned thcm,' replied his wife, gayly.
II knit afghans. shawls. chiidren's sacks.
hoods, and socks; at first only for those whom
I providcntialy heard wished articles OF the
kind afterwards I was employed to furnish
trimming establishment with my work
And kept it all "a secret from me =
eyes; because | thought you would be
worrying for fear that was doing too much.
| love to knit, dearly, and consider it mofe
OF pleasant pastime than labor
'God be praised for giving me such a
woman p exclaimed her husband earnestly !;
and pressing his wife and child ,osely to his
bosom, he said Her children arise up and
call her blessed her husband, also, and he
praiseth her; for Macy daughters haze d,'ne
virtuously; but thou excelest ti.enl iil
Twenty years have passed, aud james
Hawly is rich man. But Joseph Suaih is
a confirmed drunkard while his wife has
long since passed from earth, victim Of mis-
cry and want"
Why will not all wives assist their hus-
bands to bear their trials. with helping hands
and willing hearts? If they would do this,
how many families would be saved from ruin,
and how sweet would be their reward not
only upon earth, but in heaven