Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-22

"Whcn did he tel you VI '"iS
"I.ast night. saw that something was
troubling him. and urged him to say wha'
il was. Then he told mo"
GLOW did you receive the announce
ment?"
Mrs. Carson was silent.
"Bravely. IL i wiIc should. when she
sees trouble approaching her husband OF
in weakness aud tears ?'
..In weakness and tears. l make you
this coufession.'
"Did that help him any? Did thai
make his trouble lighlcr?'
mo. no. my friend. While telling me
of the change. he mingled hopeful words
! in his sentences. But, ailerward, he sat
silent ard gloomy through all the
evening
And you? ?"
Cried myself almost sick"
And sat opposite to him, at breakfast
time this morning, with ruelul visage.
No wonder he had no appetite"
mo WONDER" said Mrs. Carson, re.
peatinC the words to herself. That was
not well. at least"
"Aud should not be repeated"
ut shall not be repeated, Mary. Poor
mani He has enough TO bear, without
the dead weight of my despondency.
"l'm glad to hear you say that Mrs.
Carson. Now you are coming toward
the right way of thinking. We have
only to day, and in every to day we shall
find the elements OF peace, il we will
search for them; aud the elements OF
disquietude rs we'll. To accept the one,
and reject the other is TO be wise. Last
evening YOU east aside your husbands
hopeful words. and drew around 10th his
heat and yours pail OF dependency.
This morning Your state was unchanged,
aud YOU let him go forth Tor The day
doubly weighted. My friend. this was
not well. Now, pray you. limit thought
and duty. rs lar aS in YOU lies, TO this one
day, which. in G'Ts providence. is yours
You have pleasant home. children. n
husband. There is not single external
element, in all appertaininS to Your 10 day
that i net favorable to peace of mind.
When 10 morrow becomes day. will
the change be marked think not
You will sill, trust. have Your home
food. raiment, Your children and your
husband. and Cod, promise TO those who
do their duty in singIeness of heart
What il your husbands hands are idle
lor short time? What il the way,
! looking weeks or months in advance,
does no; seem clcuu? Your 10 day is all
| bright. If YOU will bul have it so. The
sun shines. the heart beats, Gods pro,i
deucc Is not hindered. You may be in
peace. il you will do your best TO secure
peace"
The ncighbor departed. leaving Mrs.
Carson in better frame OF mind. and
with her thoughts flowing in the right
direction. "Onc day at time. One
day at = time. " she said 10 herself, as her
hands took bold upon the duties OF the
hour. "Ah, il we could so live how
tranquil all might be. Even IN lhis feeble
effort my heart has calmor beat. did
not believe ia the possibility OF change
such as feel. Ono day At time y"
She fingered on the suggestion draw
ing out more and more distinctly many
Of the things it involved, and seeing more
and more clearly how it lay at tho basis
of all right living and true enjoyment.
Relieved. in great measure, from its
burden OF dcspondencv. the mind OF Mrs.
Carson lifted itself into region OF clearer
light, and became busy with ways and
means adapted TO the change which had
taken place in their circumstances. In
stead of remaining with folded hands. in
terror OF approaching ills. or dwelling in
vague apprehensions. She let hope gain
entrance; AMI hope had good words TO
say.
Slowly, in the dimly closing twilight.
a man walked. with eyes upon the pave
ment-walks with bowed head and stoop-
ing shoulders; he was bending under a
heavy weight. One week ago the same
man walked in the twilight, with head
erect. and quickly falling footsteps. al
most impatient to reach his home. Then
he looked for smiling welcome and
loving words; now, aS thought reached
forward, he saw only clouds and tears.
His heart was cheerful then, but heavy
now. Suddenly his path had been crossed
by n mountain range that looked impass'
able. For himself, he might glrd his
loins. and brayely move 10 the ascent )
but, she who must walk by his SIDE
through smiling landscapes, or amid toll
some activities. had sunk down, over
come by weak terrorS; and with this
added, how was he to advance2 Brave
enough to face the mountain, with It's
sky-reaehiug cliffs and snowy SUBMITS,
il his way must be over lis barrier, and
strong enough to support his companion,
ii she put forth what strength was given.
he was not able to carry her US dead
weight. And this it was that bowed his
head and saddened his spirit. as he linger'
ed, with slow steps. in the falling shad
ows. and dreaded the arrival at home.