Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-12-11

their own door, where they paused a
moment, and then went in. Instant
" ON passing his threshold, Mr.. Lewis
felt the pressure upon him of his usu-
al state. The hue of his feelings be-
gan to change. The cheerful, inter-
ested exterior put on for those he met
in business intercourse, began rapid
ly to change, and a sober hue to sue
ceed. Like most business men. his
desire for profitable results was even
farin advance of the slow evolutlons
Of trade and his daily history was u
history of disappoiniments. in some
measure dependent upon his restless
anticipations. He was not as willing
to work and wait as ne should be;
and, like many of his class, neglect
e the pearls that lay here and there
al ng his fe-paths, because they
were inferior in value to those he
hoped to find Just a little way IN at
vance. The consequence was that,
W pn the lav's business excitement
WIS over. his mind fell into y brood.
in. state. md fingered over its dl--
,,,n.iu,m.nrs, or locked forward with
sniilins hope to the lutnre-for hop.''
n many things had been deterre',
And so he rarely had smiles for his
home. :,
Take that home with you dear"
whispered Mrs Lewis, as they moved
along the passage, and before they
had iaiined the family. She had an
instiac,iye consciousness that her hns-
band was in danger of relapsing into
his usual state. The warning was
Just in time
"Thank yon for the words" said
he. 81 will not forget them"
And he did not, but at once rallied
himself, and to the glad surprise of
Jenny, will and Mary, met them
with new face. covered with father,
" smiles and with pleasant ques-
lions, in pleasant tones, of the days
employments. The feelings of chill
dren move in quick transitions. They
had not expected greeting like this;
but the response was instant. Little
Jennie climbed into her fathers arms.
Will came and stood by his chair,
answering in lively tones his ques-
tions, while Mary, older by a few
wears than the rest, leaned against
her fathers shoulders, and laid her
white hand softly upon his head,
smoothing hack the dark hair, just
showing a little frost, from his broad
manly temples.
A pleasant group was this for the
| eyes of Mrs. Lewis, as she came forth
from her chamber to the sitting room,
! where she had gone to lay off her
bonnet and shawl, and change her
dress. Well did her husband under
stand the meaning look she gave
him; and warmly did her heart
respond to the smile he threw back
upon her.
:" Words 6tly spoken are. like ap.
Piles of gold in pictures of silver,
said Mr.. Lewis. speaking to her as
she came in.
What do you mean by that? p
asked Mary, looking curiopsly into
her fathers face.
Mother understands" replied
Mr.. Lewis, smiling tenderly upon his
wife.
Something pleasant must have
happened" said Mary.
Something pleasant (? Why do
you say that?' asked Mr.. Lewis.
You and mother look 9" happy, :"
replied the child.
"And We have cause to be happy"
answered the father. as he drew his
arm tightly around her, in having
three such good children.
Mary laid her cheek to his, and
whispered /. If you are smiling and
happy, dear father. home will be like
heaven.
Mr.. Levi. kissed her, but did not
reply. He felt arebuke in her words.
But the rebuke did not throw a chill
over his feelings it only gave new
strength to his purpose. Don't dis
tribute all your smiles. Keep few
of tbe warmest and brightest for
home, :" said Mrs. Lewis, as she part
ed with her husband the next morn
ing. He kissed her but did not promise.
The smiles were kept, however, and
evening ;aw them; though not for
the outside world. Other, and many
evenings saw the same cheerful smiles,
and the.same happy home. And was
not Mr.. Lewis a better and happier
man? OF course he was. And so
would all men be, if they would take
home with them the smiling aspect
they so often exhibit as they meet
their fellow. men in business inter
course, OF exchange words in passing
compliments. Take your smiles and
cheerful words home with you. hus-
bands. fathers and brothers. Your
hearths are cold and dark without