Smyrna times., 1880-11-03

occurrence of q single incident that gave
healthful pulsation to the sick heart of Mr.,
Walcott. No thoughtful kindness was
manifested by any member of the family
but on the contrary, q narrow regard for
self, and looking to him only that he
might supply the means of self qualification.
No wonder, from the pressure which was
on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly dis.
couraged. He retired early, and sought to
lind that relief from mental disquietude in
sleep which he had vainly hoped for in the
bosom of his family. But the whole night
passed in broken slumber and disturbing
dreams. From the cherries morning meal,
at which he was reminded of the quarters
bill that must be paid, of the Goals and
Hour that were out, and of the necessity of
supplying Mrs. Walcotts empty purse, he
went forth to meet the difficulties of anoth-
err day, faint of heart, almost hopeless of
success. confident spirit, sustained by
home affections would have carried him
through; but unsupported as he was, the
burden was to heavy for him, and he sank
under 1t. The day that opened upon him
SO unpropitiously closed upon him ruined
man.
Let us look in for few moments upon
Mr.. Freeman, friend and u neighbor OF
Mr. Wnlcott. He, also, had come home
weary, dispirited and almost sick. The
trials OF the day had been unusually severe,
and when he looked anxiously forward to
scan the future, not even CLEAN of light
was seen along the the black horizon.
AS he stepped across the threshold of his
dwelling, pang shot through his heart,
for the thought came: "How slight the
present hold upon all these comforts u
ht1ff 70 II,
dren was the pain.
Fathers come" cried glad little voice
on the stairs, the moment his football
sounded in the passage; then quick, patter
ing feet were heard-and then tiny form
was springing into his arms. Before reach
ing the sitting room above, Alice the eldest
daughter was by his side, her loving ewes
lifted to his face.
Are you not late, dearP" 1t was the
gentle voice of Mrs. Freeman.
Mr.. Freeman could not trus: himself &c
answer, He was too deeply troubled in
spirit to assume at the moment a cheerful
tone, and he had no wish to sadden the
hearts that loved him, by letting the depres
sion from which he was suffering become
too clearly apparent. But the eye of Mrs
Freeman saw quickly below the surface.
Are you not well, Robert p she inquired
tenderly, as she drew his large arm chain
| toward the centre of the room.
A little headache" he answered with
slight evasion.
Scarcely was Mr.. Freeman seated, ere
pair of hands was busy with each foot, re
moving CATERS and shoes and supplyin,
their place with soft slipper. There wa
not one in the household who did not fee
| happier for his return, nor one who die
not seek to render him some kind office.
| 1t was impossible, under such a burst o
heart sunshine, for the spirit of Mr.. Free
man long to remain shrouded. Almost i'm
psrcepHbly to himself gloomy thought
| gave place to more cheerful. and by tn,
time tea was ready, he had half forgotten
the fears which had haunted him through
the day.
But they could not be held back alto
| gether, and their existence was marked
during the evening by an unusual silence
and abstraction of mind. This was obser
we'd by Mrs. Freeman, who, more than hal
suspecting the cause, kept back from he
husband the knowledge of certain matter
which she intended to speak to him, 70
she feared they would add to his menta
disquietude. During the evening she CLEAN
ed from something he said the real caus
of his changed aspect. AT once her thought
commenced running in a new channel
By few leading remarks she drew he
husband into conversation on the subject O
home expenses and the propriety of restric
ton in various points. Many things wer
mutually pronounced superfluous and easil
to 0e dispensed with, and before sleep fel
soothingly on the heavy eyelids of Nj
Freeman, that night, an entire change il
their style of living had been determined
upon-a change that would reduce thei
expenses at least one half.
" see light ahead" were the hopeful
words of Mr.. Freeman, as he resigned him
self to slumber.
With renewed strength of mind and
confident spirit he went forth to worl
next day-a day that he had looked for
ward to with fear and trembling. And i
was only through this renewed strengt
and confident spirit that he was able t
overcome the difficulties that doomed ur
mountain high, before him. Weak despon
dency would have ruined all. Home ha,
proved his tower of strength-his VALE,
city. Strengthened for conflict, he ha,
gone forth again into the world and cor
quered in the struggle.
see light ahead" gave place to 9Th
morning dawnethI'