Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-24
UNDER A CLOUD.

"Did you ever see sad6er fGce?"
1t was the remark of lady to her
friend, as Mrs. Loring passed her win
dow. Mrs. Loring had ridden out for
the first time for months; not now Of
her own choice, but in obedience to the
solicitation OF friend, and the positive
command Of her physician. She was in
deep sorrow, refusing sl comfort.
Heavy clcuds were in Ter Bky-black
clouds, through which not a ray Of sun
shine penetrated.
"Feyer, answered the friend, while
a shade caught from Mrs. Lorings
countonanee fitted across her own face.
who can she be?"
Didn't you recognize herr"
"No. The countenance was, TO me,
that of a stranger"
81 can hardly wonder that it should
be go" said the friend, "for she is sadly
changed. That was poor Mrs. Loring,
who lost her two children last winter
from scarlet fever"
MRS. Lorirgl" The lady might
veil look surprised. "Sorrow has In
deed done a fearful work there. But is
il right thus 10 sit under cloud? right
thus TO oppose no strong barrier to the
waters OF affiiction that go sweeping
over the soul, marriDg all its beauty2"
1t is not right" was the answer.
"The heart that sits in darkness, brood
nj over its loss, sorrowB with q selfish
souow. The clouds that shut ont tho
sun are exhalations from its own stag
nant surface. II makes the all-pervad-
ing gloom By which it is surrounded.
i pity Mrs. Loring, unhappy sufferer
That she is; but my pity for her is al
Ways mingled with o desire to speak
sharp rebuking words, in the hope to
sgitate the slumberous atmosphere in
which she ia enveloped like a shroud.
"I wonder" remarked the other,
" that her husband permits her TO
brood so long in idle grief over the in.
evitable."
Husbands" was replied, "have
often the least salutary influence over
their wives when bowed with affection.
Some men have no patience with dis
plays of excessive grief in women, and
are, therefore, more ignorant than chill
aren in regard to it's treatment Such a
man is Mr.. Loring. All that he does
OF says, therefore, only deepens the
enoompassing shadow. A wise, nm
|
thing OF his wife's true state, and a
heart TO sympathize her, will always
lead her from beneath the clouds of
sorrow upward to the cheerful heights
npon which the sunshine rests. If she
shows unwillingness to be led; If she
courts the shadows and hide in the gloom
Of her own dark repinings, he docs not
become impatient. He loves her with
| TOO unselfsh love for this. Aud so lac
brings light TO her ON his Cwn counte.
nance, the sunshine OF even affected
eheerfulness that pcnetrates the murky
atmosphere in which she sits, and warns
her heart with it's genial radiance.
Tins he wooes her with sunny CLEANS
from tho clear sky that yet bends over
her, and that will make ell again bright
aud beautiful on the earth of her spirit,
i sbe will but lift herself above the
slouds. 1t Ii the misfortune Of Mrs.
Loring that sbe Ia not blessed with such
husband"
The subject of this conversation bad
On that morning yielded to the solicita.
sions OF one OF her nearest friends. and
with g1ent reluctance consented to go
)ui si;h her in her carriage.
sI shall be much better at home"
nc objected to the urgent appeal of her
siend. "This quiet snits me. The
stilIncsa Of my own chamber accords
best with my feelings. The glare and
hustle Of the busy strccts will only dis
larb me deeper. know II Ia kindness
IN you: bnt it is mistaken kindness.
To reason with her would have been
useless, and 20 reason was not attempted.
81 have come prepared TO hear no