Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-11-14
& Nupular gtory.
SUNSHINE IN THE HOUSE.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

ssTake that home with you, dear,
said Mrs. Lewis, her manner half smil-
ing, half serious.
esTake what home, Caddy?" And
Mr.. Lewis turned towards his wife, Gu
riously.
Now, Mrs. Lewis had spoken from
the moments impulse, and already
partly regretted her remark.
sTake what homer" repeated her
husband, 'sI don't understand you."
ssThat smiling face you turned upon
Mr.. Edwards, when you answered his
question just now."
Mr.. Lewis slightly averted his head,
and walked on in silence. They had
called in at the store Of Mr.. Edwards
to purchase a few articles and were
now on their way home. There was
no smile on the face Of Mr.. Lewis
now, but a very grave expression in
stead-grave almost to sternness. The
words of his wife had taken him alto
-gether by surprise; and, though spo-
ken lightly, had Jared upon his ears.
The truth was, Mr.. Lewis, like a
great many other men who have their
own cares and troubles, was in the
habit of bringing home a sober, and
too often, clouded face. It was in
vain that his wife and children look
ed into that face for sunshine, or list
ened to his words for tones of cheer
fulness.
'sTake that home with you, dear. "
Mrs. Lewis was already repenting this
suggestion, made on the moments inn
pulse. Her husband was sensitive to
fault. He could not bear even an
implied censure from his wife. And
so she had learned to be very guarded
in this particular.
'Take that home with you, dear!-
All me! I wish the words had not been
said. There will be darker clouds now,
and gracious knows they were dark e.
nough beforel Why can't Mr.. Lewis
leave his cares and business behind
him, and let us see the pleasant, snil-
ing face again. I thought this morn
ing that he had forgotten how to smile;
but I 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 ?" Block after block was
passed, and street after street was cross
ed, and still there was silence between
them. -
"Of course" said Mrs. Lewis, speak
ing in her own thoughts. "Of course
he is offended. He wont bear word
from me. Imight have known before
hand, 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 soft
ened tone.
"What then?" he repeated, turning
towards her, and looking down into
her shyly upturned face.
cit would send warmth and radi-
ance through the whole house," said
Mrs. Lewis, her tones all a-trembling
with feeling.
"You think SOP"
"rknow SO! Only try it, dear, for
this one evening"
at isn't so easy thing to put on a
smiling face, Caddy, when thought is
oppressed with care"
4It did not seem to require much eff
fort just now," said Mrs. Lewis, glanc-
ing up at her husband with something
of archness in her look.
Again shadow dropped down upon
the face of Mr.. Lewis, which was again
partly turned away, and again they
walked on in silence.
ssHe is so sensitive!' Mrs. Lewis said
to herself, the shadow on her husbands
face darkening over her own. II have
TO be as careful of myself as if 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 displeased. him; it had only
get him to thinking. After remaining
gravely silent, because he was under
going a brief self-exanination, Mr.
Lewis said
ssYou thought the smile given to Mr.
Edwards came easily enoughw