Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-09-09
SELECTED STORY
HARD TIMES.

ing eyes, and kindly mouth whose smiles
were very sweet and frequent. Singing.
she sat by the cradle of her first child. and,
while her busy little hands were fashioning
some tasteful garment for her babe, her
| loving eyes sought the sleeping face before
her with all a mothers tenderness Of look
and smile.
The shadows of the early day yet con-
trasted with the strong, clear morning
lights but one rich food Of sunshine poured
in at the east window and frightened the
pleasant room The young mother sang to
herself many sweet happy song as she
rocked the cradle of her little one The
doer opened suddly-
"Mlriam, all is lost y
She looked up to meet the troubled gaze
of her husband bent full upon her. The
glad song died upon her lips, and a smile,
half sorrowful, half pleading, buried the
happiness that late had shown.
"AN !"=She rose as she spoke, tc come
closely TO his side, saying with anxious ten
derness-'sIs all lost? Must our home 60
| too r.. ss -
..Everything, If my debts are honestly
paid." Here the speaker threw himself
desponding upon the seat his wife had left.
and buried his face in his hands. go Mi
RAM p
She came up to his side. Don't, John;
it will all be we'll. You shall pay all, hon
estlv: the house must go, then you will he
independent of every one, and We will COM
mence again J" o.,
"But you, Miriam, you and pet p
"Neyer care for US, my husband; aoe shall
be happy We will take some little place,
and YOU can be clerk again. Don't give
up so, John look up, be comforted !" Hel
nitvine tears we're raining down upon hi
bowed head, her soft hands touched hi
heated brow, and tender loving words fell
from the lips that had never known an un'
kind look or word since he had called bel
wife
He was comforted. It had been the
deepest trouble af all-the thought of her
priyation; and now that she spoke so cheer
fully. he felt his heart rebound from thu
shock of his first great trouble, and Hope
smiled again. He could do anything, h'
could be Independent yet again he knew
Il and he rose up to fold the dear wife in hi
strong arms with hopeful smile.
! miriam, darling, you shall never sutfe'
for my dependency. You are noble, true
hearted wife as ever man had. Thanh
| God I do not mind it now. It was hard
lust when I was fairly started in business
and the future looked so promising, but i
is nothing now. I have you both left tt
bless me. Dear vile, God is good y
\ There we're tears in the eyes Of the strone
man as he whispered the last words above
his sleeping child He kissed them both
the child and mother, then, with new
strength and faith in the future, he hurried
away to the outside world, where all wa
trouble and vexation. He had much to dis
courage, much to annoy and distress him
but tho will and heart were strong, boil
buoyed by the gentle influence that shone II
his home.
!, With the evening came the bare facts 0
! his failure. He had looked the whole los
. Mainly in the face. He had summed up hi
iiabilities, epd it vas all plain walkin!
, thenceforth. He found by careful estl
mate that, by the sale Of his house and wha
stock he had on hand, he could pay ever
cent, but it would leave him penniless: ii
was energetic, straightforward, and honor
able, consequently there was but one cours
omen to him. His wife was right, he mus
take clerkship; but where to obtain on
!, when SO many were out of employment 3
Il 50 many failures Never mind, ne coul
do something. "Street-sweeping" he sal
to himself, sis honorable, if by that ca
t support my family" TO be sure
: did not yet fully realize the dlfterene
in his circumstances, but he never would
for. strong-hearted and hopeful, with e1
erv good influence to spur him on, tn
. trouble would pass over ligh liter to him tina
to many man less happily constituted on
surrounded
1t was late ere he turned from the coun
: ing room to seek his home. The lamI
were all shining, and the stars looked dow
with clear and peaceful light. win nurrle
step he neared his home. An, IL was ~ a.
> his home now, that handsome dwelling vii
its richly curtained windows sending forth
= warm su1bdued light upon the night ;, b'
that which was the real home-the smile
affection, the baby Notwithstanding b. b
death could take away. lie thought OF IN
gentle kindness of his wife in that first me-
!, mept of trial and dependency, and no
! brayely she had cheered hlm with the mop
her own heart knew. -. =,
She met him at the door, holding ne
babe up for the welcome kiss, saying ohee'
!, fu1lv-
why, John, how late you are Nell
and have sat in the window SO long v