The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-14
OTTAWA FREE TRADER. SATURDAY, JANUARY a.. 1874.

sack for our ds.r child. could NOT spars II !
And yet, lsk svsaiAR Psnt the tull some for
nothing-ay, Woese than nothing, Tor even now
my head aches. md my whole system 10 out q
tune from last nights scrspe. Now: ny child il
Then how have deceived and cheated myself
l need new boots, and yet have suffered in
their want because thought could not afford
it; and yet, what I spent last night would hsYe
bought than. and my money would have BEEN .
lasting evil r.
In such meditation walked Charles Ellery 10
his shop. A thousand scenes Of the past came
back to his mind, and he saw thousand pic.
lures OF his ingratitude to his WIFE, his child and
himself. How many times had his wife wanted
some little article of comfort that he had denied
her, because he could not spare the money
how many times had his child begged for some
small toy, which his scanty purse obliged him
to refuse-and how often had he seen como
trifing article Of food, clothing, o. ornament,
which he would have been pleased TO purchase,
but that he had not money enough; and yet, on
each of such occasions, he coald distinctly n.
member having spent double that sum which
his familys comfort required, for mere moth.
night he had spent away from home, Wasting his
money, his health, and his strength, while his
poor wife was lonesome and nd - home. How
much of useful reading he might hsys gained
how much happiness bestowed upon his wifs--
how much money might 10 have saved. and,
above all, how much happier might hs have
been himself, had those evenings been spent be-
meath his own roof
Charles Ellsry was not blind, and Of course hs
resolved to reform.
When Mr.. Ellery returned from his day. work
ha fOunA hso ok,1d anita ssak h,,k H.
gerously 30. The doctor had left werd for hin
to 90 to the apothscafy's after some emsdi.
cine, and after eating bis supper 10 started o6,
and though he met half . dosSn Of his old con.
panions, each Of whom urged him to Join them,
yet he had no thought save to return immedi.
ately to his home; and the kiAd, grateful lSok Of
his wife, when he returned 70 stssdily, sent
thrill of pleasure to his soul such - he had not
experienced for long time.
A week passed away, and every evening had
Charles spent at homo with his wiie. 10 had
read and conversed, and laughed aad played With
his recovering child, and whom Saturday nisht
csmc, he felt himself to be the happiest man
alive. In vain was it that be was urged to join
again the sosial circles Of his basshanalisn com.
panions, for his heart tarned In loathing away
from their revelry, and he wondered low he
could ever have been 90 thoughtless - 10 have
given them the preference over his own sweet
home.
"Sarsh," said no as he returned home on the
last evening Of the week, has Nrs. Robi.so,
sold that sack YETI"
mo, Charles" 'f $3.50
"Thsn here are five dollars" said Mr.. Ellery,
at the Same time handing his wife bill. "You
can purchase the sack, and then you will have
two dollars LEFT, which You can lss - You think
proper" IIl.. - a.t4 - J I 4
"But I'm afraid you cannot afford this,
Charles" returned Sarah, looking hslfwonder.
ingy and half'inquisisively into her hnsbAnd's
face. ...
"AffOrd i,p' uttered Charles, gazing tsnd.r,y
into his wife's kind features, "Oh, my dear wife.
ii my past neglect con be forgotten sAd forgiven,
1 will afford everything that can oonduss 70
your happiness. Instead Of paying money fer
useless, hurtful anussmsnts I will uss 4 for
the comfort Of my dear family
"Chsrles," cried the enrSptured wife, II have
never blamed you. have never found fsul.;
but o, If you will make me happy BY your com.
pany these long winter evenings, shall be hap
Ply indeed"
"And that company you shall have. In fact, I
will be husband and father" returned Charles,
with proud conscious look, and on tho next
he folded his wife to his bosom She
wept, but they were tears Of Joy that rolled over
her cheeks, and she thanked Heaven for the bliss
Of that moment. t-+-A
The winter passed. away, and the gentle breath
OF spring warmed the earth into life. Charles
Ellery had put new carpet upon bis aoor-to
his wife he had given a silk dress and plenty of
other clothing, and to his child he had given ey-
erythiug that her childish pleasure could require.
His evenings had been spent at home excepting
on such occasions as his wife might bear him
company, and in his heart he knew that he was
happier and better than before. To make his
home happy, and to make himself useful mem
Der OF society, were now his highest aims; and
he firmly resolved never, never again to mistake
false sociallty for the true sphere Of his moral
and social nature. = H.. 80