Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-07-17
bound them together for veal or for

N N''AA W. SNSA~A AS~ ''~
woe. ~
All was sunshine then. The pres
ent was delightful, and the future
bore the rainbow tints Of hope,
Years passed ere the dark clouds
OF adversity gathered around them.
but alas they did gather, and the
bright sunlight faded away until
scarcely one beam found its way to
those once happy hearts.
We will pass over the train of mis-
fortunes which had at length reduc-
ed the young couple and their two
children to poverty and want.
Imprudence in their style of liy-
ing, failure in business, long and Sc
vsre illness were the producing caus-
eS.
Unaccustomed to self-control, or
to the denial of selfish Qualifications,
Julia was ill-prepared to bear this
rigid system of economy which was
now necessary. She became irrit-
able ana morose, aud thoughtlessly
added many a drop to the bitter cup
which her husband was drinking.
us there no hope of your obtain
ing the situation with Mr.. Mark
ham, which was mentioned some
days ago ?" she suddenly asked, rs
her husband rose from their frugal
meal, one cold morning in the early
part of winter.
"None at ALL" was the reply.
"The present clerk has decided to
remain. But even my present situ-
alton is better than nothing. Three
hundred will keep us from starving"
at were better to die, Henry,
than to live in this way. Life has
lost all its charms for me, and l
would gladly be at rest"
"But our children, Julia. Think
of them and keep up your courage
little longer. The day may yet
dawn upon u.s."
Never, never. My own folly has
brought this upon me. Ny guard
ian warned me against marrying
one not we'll established in the
world, but I slighted his advice.
Thank God, he is not, here to see
how bitterly 1 repent my rashness. "
And do you really regret it, Ju-
liza? 3? We may regret the imprud-
ence in our former style of living,
and we may sorrow for the misfor-
tunes which haYe come upon us, but
we need not repent of our marriage.
"Was not that the cause of it al?
was the bitter reply.
Deeply grieyed, the husband turn
ed and left the house.
The day was sad one-and when
an hour or two before the usual time
for his return, Henry WAS born into
the house by two men, and the un-
happy little family were told that an
accidental fall upon the ice had re-
suited in a broken leg, the last drop
seemed to have been added to the al
ready brimuing cup.
From the night of agony which
followed, Julia was q different, and
in some respects a better woman.
Hitherto there had been q linger-
ing feeling of pride which had pre-
vented her from coming forward at
her husbands side to struggle
against the misfortunes which had
come upon them. She had shranh
back despairing and powerless. Now
she was reused into energy.
Something must be doue, and with
the consciousness of what devolved
upon her, came an earnest prayer
for strength "a looking upward
which was not her wont.
Nothing presented itself to her
mind but plain sewing, and this,
she was well aware would afford
them but miserable pittance. Still
it would be better than nothing, and
application was at once made to a
kind neighbor, anu through her in
fluence work was speedily obtained.
Often when her employers would
urge her TO abate few pennies on
the usual price, and assure her that
it was Cor her interest to work cheap
she would sigh deeply as sheremem-
bered her feelings in former days,
and the truth of aunt Fanny'S
words forced itself upon her mind.
The sufferings proceeding from the
want of unison in the interests of
the employer and the employed were
now her own.
And where was aunt Fanny dur
ing the lapse Of years Faithfully
and unwearidly had she performed
the duties which she had taken
upon herself. That task was now
ended. That aged relative, to whose
wants she had SO long ministered,
had at length gone home. Oace
more aunt Fanny's heart turned to
her native land. Friends of her
earlier years rose before her. and
she longed to meet them again face
to face. The few necessary arrange