Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-09-20
Sunshine in the House.
BY t. 8. ARTHUR.

Take what home, Caddy?" Aud MIR. Lewis
turned towards his wife, curiously
Now, Mrs. Lewis had spoken from the mo-
IN ,nt's impulse and already partly regretted her
remark.
Take what hon e?" repeated herr husband.
Il don't understand you
THAT smiling fat Q you turned upon Mr. Ed
wards, when you answered his question lust
now"
Mr. Lewis slightly averted his head, and wal
ked on in silence. They had called in at the
store OF MIR. Edwards to purchase few articles
and were now on their way home. There was
smile on the face OF Mr.. Lewis now, but a
very grave expression instead-grave almost to
Htrrnness. The words Of his wife had taken
him altogether by surprise; and though spoken
lightly, had Jared upon his ears.
The truth was, Mr.. Lewis like a great manv
other men who have their own cares and trou-
bles, was in the habit of bringing home a sober,
and, too often. clonded face. 1t was in vain
that his wife and children looked into that face
for sunshine. or listened to his words for tones
Of Gheerfunees
Fake that home with you, dear Mrs Lewis
was already repehting this suggestion, made Oh
the moments impulse Her husband was sensi-
tive TO a fault. He could not bear even all i'm
pliedceusHre from his wife. And 30 she had
learned to be very guarded in this particular.
Fake that home with you, dear Ah me |
wieh the words had not been said. There will be
darker clouds now, and gracious knows they
dark enough before Why can't MIR. Lew
is leave his cares and business behind him. and
let us see the old, pleasant, smiling face again
thought this morning that he had forgotten
how to smile but see that he can smile il he
tries. All Why don't he try at home ?"
So Mrs Lewis talked to herself, as she walked
along by the side of her husband. who had not
spoken word since her reply TO his query.
Take what home 2" Block afer block was
passed, and street after street was crossed and
still there was silence between them
nnr Mna
her own thoughts. "0f course he is offended
He wont bear word from me. l might have
known beforehand, that talking out in this way
would only make things worse, Oh, dear I'm
getting out of all heart ?"
What then Caddy ?"
Mrs Lewis almost started at the sound of her
husbands voice, breaking, unexpectedly, upon
her ear in a softened tone.
what then z" he repeated, turning towards
her, and looking down into her shyly upturned
face.
at would send warmth and radiance through
the whole house" said Mrs Lewis, her tones
all a-trembling with feeling.
You think 30 p
evening"
1T isn't so easy thing to put on smiling
face, Caddy, when thought is oppressed with
care"
Ii did not seem to require much effort lust
now said Mrs. Lewis, giancng up at her hus-
band with something of archness in her look
OF MIR. Lewis, which was again partly turned
away, and again they walked on in silence
He is 80 sensitive " Mrs Lewis said to her
self, the shadow OH her husbands face darken-
Ing over her own. Il have to be careful of
myself as II talking to spoiled child"
No, It did not require much effort on the part
OF Mr. Lewis to smile as he passed few words
lightly, with Mr. Edwards. The remark of his
wife had not really dispeased him; it had only
set him to thinking. After remaining gravely
silent, because he was undergoing q brief self
examination, Mr.. Lewis said
You thought the smile given to Mr. Edwards
came easily enough ?"
1t did not seem to require an effort replied
Mrs. Lewis.
NO not much effort was required said Mr.
Lewis. His tones were slightly depressed
But this must be taken into the account nv
MUD was in certain state of excitement, or ac-
tlvlty, that repressed sober feelings, and made
smiling an easy thing. SO we smile aud are gay
iu company, at cost uf little effort because all
are smiling and gay and we feel the common
sphere OF excitement. How different 1t oft en- is
when we are alone, need not say. You CAD
dy are guilty of the sober face al uome as well
az your husband Mr.. Lewis spoke with q ten.
der reproof in his voice.
''But the sober face is caught from yo1rs of
tener than you imagine my husband" replied
Mrs. Lewis.
Are you certain of that, Caddy ?"
Very certain You make the sunlight aud til
shadow of your home Smile upon us give us
cheerful wordai euter ints our feelings and in-
the land. shadow on YOUR countenance il
veil for my heart and the same il true az res
poets our children Our pulses strike too nearly
IN union not to be distu bed when yours has lost
It's even beat"
Again Mr.. Lewis walked on in silence, his face
partly aVerted; and again his wife began to fear
that she had spoken too freely. But he soon
dlspeed this impression, for he said:
Il am glad. Caddy, that you have spoken thus
plainly. only wish that you had done 30 be- |
lore. see how 1t ID. My smiles have been for
the outside world--the world that neither loved |
hor regarded me-and my clouded brow for the |
dear ones at home, for whom thought and care |
are ever living activities
MIR. and Mrs Lewis were now at their own |
door, where they paused moment, and then |
went in. Instantly, on passing his threshold,
Mr.. Lewis felt the pressure upon him of his |
usual state. The hue Of his feelings began to |
change The cheerful interested exterior put |
on Tor those he met in business intercourse, be- |
gan rapidly to change, and a sober hue to sue
ceed Like most business men, his desire for |
pf9htabe results WAS even far in advance of the |
SLOW evolutions OF trade aud his daily history |
was history OF disappointments, in some mea- |
sure dependent upon his restless anticlpations. |
He was not as willing to work and wait as he |
should be; and, like many OF his class neglected
the pearls that lay here and there along his life
paths, because they were inferior in value to |
those he hoped to find just little way in ad- |
vance. The consequence was that, when the |
day business excitement over, his mind |
iell into brooding state, and fingered over its |
""PPoAhtLhohtni vi lOOh6u WlIn lAlllllb
hope to the future-for hope in many things. has |
been long deferred. And 30 he rarely had |
smiles for his home.
=, Take that home with you. dear" whispered |
Mrs, Lewis, as tn. moved along the passage, |
and before they had Joined the family. She had |
an instructive consciousness that her husband |
was in danger Of relapsing into his usual state.
Inc warning was just in time
Thank you for the words !" said he. ~ will |
not forget them"
And he did not ; but at once rallied himself, |
and to the glad surprise Of Jenny, viii, and Ma |
~, met them with new face covered with faith |
efly smiles and with pleasant questions, in |
pleasant tones, of their days employments. The |
feelings of children move in quick transactions. |
Ihey had not expected greeting like this but |
the response was instant Little Jenny climbed |
INTO her fathers arms. Will came and stood by |
his chair, answering in lively tones his questions,
whlle Mary, older by few years than the rest, |
leaned against her fathers shoulder and laid her
white hand softly upon his head. smoothing back |
ie the dark hair. just showing little frost from |
ms broad, manly temples,
pleasant group was this for the eyes of Mrs. |
Lewis, AZ she came forth from her chamber to |
.he sitting room, where she had gone to lay off |
ner M bonnet and shawl and change her dress. |