Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-12-08

unconscionsness. But the future must be met
ana after the first shock was over, she roused
herself and tried to answer the question. shotyo
IL was necessary that she shonld find somethinu
10 10 without delay, or she would be homeless,
anu starving, and after several Intellectual at
tempts at something better, she was Obliged Ia
accept the only work that offered itself. and
mat was plain sewing that paid her but small
| returns. She hired little room in a tenement
house, and the struggle for daily bread began
IL was sad and desolate life she led then She
never went out except TO the store for work.
and she seldom spoke to any one but her en-,
pioyer, unless II was now and then kind word
70 oeggar Child In her room, at its o.e win
ao" that looked ont OH bare, bleak walls, she
SAT and stitched day after day, while her form
grew thinner, her face paler, and hope died out
Vi ner nearl. In this way the time passed or,
anu weeks lenglhened into months and months
| ihto years; still no tidings came of her absent
| husband N '''S'"'
Inc third winter that came to Alice in or
humble home seemed to her colder and drearier
than any that had passed before. The long
conhnement began to tell upo1 her health, and
at last she was really i'll. She had never been
aoie 10 earn anything more than was necessary
~. ner uany expenses; and now, with the pros
pect OF sickness staring her in the face, she of
Ten shuddered as she thought what the future
lnignl have In store for her. One morning,
not oeing able to work she was sitting by her
scaniy hire thinking of all these things. The
memory that had haunted her all these wears
! ealhe 10 her then-the memory of the first Il rec
years OF her married life, that had lean eo
br ght and happy. She thought of The pleasant
nome she had then enjoyed, with lis cosv
rooms, well-laden tables and generous fires :
put more than all else she thought of the rich
love tina. had crowned her -If had bocl,
my nome aud my husband should know how
10 prize them now,' she murmured; .but am
30 lonely aud miserable here
tempest of tears and sobs shook her sli,.b,
iornl, and slipping from her chair down unnn
ner Knees, she prayed TO her Heavenly Father
ior patience and submission, lust as she had
cone 81 many tin 81 Ia these lalrr yens. Vhile
slle knelt there the door opened, but She w,a
not conscious OF any presence save her own in
ehe fooiii' tii some one knet by her side, and
a. q fo,ce q'iiVeiing WIN emotion spoke her name,
ohe looked up quickly then, and met the face
OF her hnsband--not as She remembered having
iast seen II, bloated and led with the effects Of
stfohg drink, but tender, refined AMI LOVING ne |
II had been five years before.
"Ihabk GoD Thank t;ob :" only ,bosa
Woius anu she was folded to her husbands
neaf'' anu her tired soul, forgetting its desnl,-
more. ' ''''
La,er, when they were calm, he told how lie |
nad fought with the tempter in the wears since |
they had been parted, and how he had come
PACK then, master Of himself to ask her to be- !,
GIN life anew with him.
Let us 60 back" said Alice, sto our old
nome. We shall be happier there"
so they went back as she wished, and ,ep,ed
lhe farm they had once owned, and began at
ne loot OF the ladder But they had content-
nent In their hearts, and with that even poy
srty is sweet. wa P''
many years have passed since then, and Gil
'ert Is a hne, hale Old gentleman, aud Alice a
r~.asW al. I
blooming daughters. Years of Iabcr have
brought them prosperity, and the home of the
ancestors Is theirs once more; and there thew
yiil pass The remainder of their days, beth II
mem perfectly satisfied it'll their own exn,,ri
heht at "Leavne the Farm"