The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-04-25
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pleasant pastime 1t had once been, Tor
we found it difficult TO sustain CONVEX
sation on topics of minor interest, while
the one subject which engrossed our
hearts and minds was tabooed.
"Behold how great matter little
fire kindlethr" AS day after day pa' s.
ed away, and the week drew to a close,
heavy weight settled on my heart.
Ny husband appeared different person
to me. 1t seemed to me that a great
gulf had come between us; even baby,
who before had been associated only
with the purest, deepest joy, seemed
changed. / could not take her in my
arms without thinking of what chose
to call my trouble. Friday morning
came. 1t was lovely, sunshiny day;
but it seemed to me the dreaiiest ever
sun rose upon. "Who would think
Robert could be so obstinate?" 1 said
to myself as rocked my little one to
sleep.
Just before noon our pastor called.
Twas so i'll at ease that it was with diff
ficulty that sustained my part in the
conversation. l suppose he noticed
my agitation, for he inquired if I were
well as usual. For an instant 1 felt
half inclined to tell him all. 1t seemed
as if it would be relief to open my
heart to some one, but a feeling of pride
restrained me.
Robert seemed unusually silent at
dinner, and fancied he was looking
pale and i'll. He kissed the baby, but
did not toss her in the air and play
with her as he generally did; as for my
self, every word spoke cost me an ef-
fort. When Robert had gone, took
my little girl in my arms, and rocked
her to sleep, then l threw myself in my
chair again, and silently brooded over
\ my unhappiness. 1t seemed to me that
a good, hearty cry, would be luxury,
but it was luxury in which l had de-
termined l would not indulge.
The time passed slowly away, and I
began to wonder why baby did not
wake. went over to the cradle. Her
face was flushed, and l thought her
breathing very unnatural. "What if
our darling should be ill?" I cried, and
then with chill at my heart, "What if
God should take from us the cause of
our dspute?"
At that thought great revulsion of
feeling came over me, / knelt down by
3 baby's cradle, and wept unrestrainedly.
. "After all, I" thought, sis it Lot nat
ural that Robert should not care to have
his child given so common name as
Mary? And what right have to decide
without consulting hin what her name
should be? Oh if he would only come!''
,Itook baby in my arms, and went to
the window to look for him. Then l
remembered his pale face at dinner. "If
anything should happen, should never
forgive myself" l said. At last / heard
his footstep on the stairs; laid baby
down, and just rushed to meet him.
"Oh Robert" cried as / threw my
arms around his neck, "name her Laura
or anything you please, but do let US
love each other again." lie kissed me
in silence, and then went into the par
lor. In an instant he came out, bring
ing with him my fathers wedding gift
"a large family Bible.
gsb lie opened it, and turning to the
Family Record, pointed to line under
the head of Births; it was this: Mary
Evelyn Spencer, born May 10, 1895.
~ wrote it this noon," he said.
/ Icannot tell what happened next, fol
! really do not know, but have sever
children since then, and they have al
been named without the least particle
Of trouble between their father apG
mother, and in closing this little accoun
of our firSt real difficulty, l thank Coo
that l am enabled to declare it was no
only our first but our last.