The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-05-28
TEHE TWO TROUBLES.

1t was cold evening in November
that two laborers wended their way
along the streets Of manufacturing
town.
Slowly they proceeded, not exchan-
ging a word until the one whom we
shall call Smith halted before neat lit
tie house and unlatched the gate Then
there was such look of despair gleam-
ing from his eyes, that his companion
murmurcd, I'VE must trust in God,
Smith
Yes he articulated gloomiIy, and
from the cradle took up the baby.
4 do wish you would put that. child
down and get ready for supper said
his wife.
What in the world is the matter with
you tonight she asked.
His voice trembled as he replied, 4
have been discharged
There! exclaimed his wife quickly,
pushing back ier chair; Just what l
might have expected! l declare, Smith,
you will torture me to death
Sorry. No, You are not sorry at all.
You would just as lief see your wife
and child starved as not
Lydia, you are cruel. 1 was not the
only one discharged. There was Jim
Hawley and ever so many others. Bu-
siness is oull'
Business is dull!' she mimicked after
him. always an excuse for worthless
man. To think that you should be dis,
charged now, just as our rent is due;
and then we are out of wood; and look
at my shoes, won't you my feet on the
ground. l wish l had never married
you, and she uttered words more and
more bitter, until at last, driven almost
to state of frenzy, the wretched man
rushed from the house to the tavern.
In the meantime John Hawley, his
companion in labor, entered his home
with very sad countenance. But be-
fore he had stepped over the threshold
a loving pair of arms were thrown
around his neck and pair of sweet lips
were pressing to his. He returned the
salutatien sadly, ,and then inquired for the
baby.
she is sleeping sweetly in the cradle
She has been perfect little darling all
day. Supper is waiting, so make haste,
here is warm.water and q towel Are
you not later than usual to -nightt'
YES, Mary; l bring bad news to
YOU
bad news"
Yes; was discharged tonight
is that all P asked his wife, 1 thought
that it was something terrible
And is 1t not terrible enough2 What
will become of US this winter?'
God will not let US suffer, James
God bless you dear Mary
sAnd now let US have supper ex.
claimed the wife cheerfully. See, ]
have your favorite dish-shortcake and
toast. Do not let your troubles impair
your appetite, and then, after tea, well
talk it over
In the evening it was determined that
the quarters rent should be paid, and
coal obtained, and the remaining money
placed in the wife's hand to be deal,
with.
Then Mary suggested tllEt the front
room should be let out Further thar
this they could lay no plans
Three months have passed without ;
days work all that time, and now an
other quarters rent is due. In vain the
laborer thrusts his hand into his empty
pockets, and in vain racks his brain fol
some solution of the problem how the
rent is going to be paid. The lodgel
had paid his money monthly, but then
that was not enough to meet the sum, il
he had it, and of course his wife had
spent that just as fast as she had receiv.
ed it, and it was an every day wonder
to james how Mary managed SO we'll.
j With feelings of deep despair he en-.
tered the house. The table was spread
with the same favorite dish. There was
the shortcake and toast, flanked with 8
golden lump of butter, and plate OF
honey and deep dish of roasted sp.
pies, to be served with sugar and cream
while at his wife's plate sat the steaming
tea pot. AS James took it in, all at one
glance, he greatly wondered at the fru
gal, yet comfortable way of living
How his wife had been able to make
that small amount of money last sc
long was mystery to him, and yet ht
could not help wishing inwardly tha
she had been more economical; then
perhaps, the rent might have been paid
He refused to sit at the table, plead
ing that he had no appetite. And /:
large tear arose in the strong mans eyes
as he informed his wife that on the NOR
row they would be turned from thei
home, to 60 he knew not where, as h,
had not dollar in his pocket to secur,
room elsewhere at.
"Is that it ? exclaimed his wife, in
soft tone, and tripped up stairs and sooi
returned and placed two ten dollar bill
, lin his hand.
Where did you get them p he sske,
eagerly, turning them over on his hand
as though to ascertain whether the,
were really genuine or not. Ia-
, 4 earned them,' replied his wife gails
l knit afghans, shawls, children's hoods
| sacques and socks; at first only TO
, those whom providentially hear
wished articles of the kind, and after
wards was employed to furnish a trim
ming establishment with my work.
And kept it secret from me?
yes, because thought you would b
g worried for fear l was doing too mucl
l love to knit, and consider it more of
pleasant pastime than labor
God be praised for giving me such
l wife! exclaimed the husband, earnestly
!, and, pressing his wife and child closel
7 to his bosom, said "Her children aris
up and call her blessed; her husban
does so also and praiseth her, for man
=, daughters have done virtuously, bl
i thou excellest them all.
i
Twenty years have passed, and .Iame
: Hawley is rich man. But Josep
= Smith is drunkard, while his wife hs
G long since passed from earth, viotil
e of misery and want. o..