The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-09-22
TWO WAYS or BEARING TROUBLE.

It was cold, dismal evening in Novem-
Der, that two laborcrs might have been seen
vending their way along the streets of large
manufacturing village.
Slowly they proceeded. with detected coun-
tenances, not exchanging word until the
one, whom we shall call S'nith, halted before
a neat little house and Unattached the gate.
Then there was such look o. utter misery
and despair cleaning from his eyes that his
companion murmered, eve must trust in
God, Smith"
The words we're unheeded, and his com
panion passed on, while Smith entered the
house
A tall dark,eyed woman was fitting about,
getting supper She gazed up as he entered,
exclaiming You are late to night y
IesW he articulated, gloomily and going
TO the cradle he took up the six weeks old
baby. and sorrowfulIy pressed it to his heart
Il do wish you would put that child down
and get ready for supper exclaimed his wife,
after enduring his gloominess for some time
in silence
He slowly obeyed and then seated himself
at the table. with deep sigh.
"What in the world is the matter with you
to night ?" she exclaimed, as she sat down
opposite him.
His voice trembed as he replied, Il sup
pose you might as we'll know first as last.
have been discharged"
''There !" exclaimed his wife, quickly
pushing back her chair 'Just what might
have expected I'd like to know what you
are going to do now Winter coming on
and all. I declare, Smith, you will tortue me
to death y
Il am very sorry, Lydia, but cannot help
it,"
"sorry! No, you are not sorry at all. You
would just as lief see your wife and child
starve as not. It's nothing 10 this world but
your poor managing"
Lydia, you are cruel. Instead of helping
me to endure my great trouble which is bear
! Ing me down to the very earth, you make il
| ten times harder for me to bear. was mol
the only one discharged There was jim
Hawlv. and ever so many others. Business
is dull p
| .Business is dull p she mimicked after
him. "Always an excuse for worthless
man. To think that you should be discharg
ed now. just as our rent is due and we are
needing coal; and look at my shoes, won
you? My feet are almost out on the ground
( wish had never seen you!' and a darl
look accompanied the last words The poo
husband now covered his face with his hand
and groaned aloud This seemed to encour
age his wife to 90 on; for she uttered word
more and more bitter, until at last. almost i,
state of frenzy, the wretched man rushe'
from the house to the nearest public house
and there songht to bury thoughts of tn
past and future in the bottom Of a rum cup
In the meantime James Hawly, his con
panion in labor, entered his home with yer
sad countenance. But before he had steppe
over the threshold loving pair of arms wcr
thrown around his neck, and a pair Of swee
lips were pressed to his.
He returned the salutatlon sadly, and the
inquired for the baby.
aShe is sleeping sweetly in her cradle. Sh
has been perfect little darling to day. Sup
per is waiting; so make haste. Here i
warm water and towels. Are you not late
than usual Co. night"
eyes, Mary; and | bring bad news 70
you" :
aBad news p she exclaimed, turning pale
as. for the first time, she noticed that some