The Worthington advance., 1880-09-30
A FIRESIDE STORY.

aTOuQU anu Wllulu ucE lltllc uOulc ClIClcS
with sunny smiles beaming on her face:
as If all other spots were blanks to her
when compared with that retreat of love
where her husband and children dwell.
But OF this we will say no more, for it
was our intention when we first dipped
our pen in ink to-day, to give the reader
tale of facts; so now for the introduc-
ton:
Mr.. and Mrs. Pason, with their chill
dren, occupied humble tenement in a
narrow court. But though their rooms
were small and few, there was IN air of
comfort prevailing all, which plainly told
that the mechanics home was managed
by skilful housekeeper.
On the evening Our story opens,
bright fire was glowing in the polished
stove IN the little parlor, and near it was
drawn small round table. A group of
three children were vanously engaged
around It.. Emma, the eldest, was hem
ming an apron. Ellen, two years young
er, was petting her favorite kitten; while
but u little distance from her sat her only
brother, Charles, engaged with his slate
and pencil.
The mother Of Ibis little group was
buslly engaged about the room with vari-
GUS duties, but still her large dark eyes
were often turned toward the table, beam
ing with love and pride. At length STEP
ping lightly behind the chair occupied
by Charley, the youngest OF the group,
she leaned over and gently touched her
lips to his cheek.
For the last half hour the child whole
soul seemed to he wrapped up in his oc-
cupation, and now being SO suddenly
disturbed, quick as the lightning's flash
he dealt blow IN his mothers face. not
even looking up to see who leaned over
him. The mother did not speak, while
the girls cried, in breath-'Why, broth.
er, you have struck ma!'
II don't care if I have," was the re.
sponse. "She ought not to plague me
when am busy"
Charles, though young in years, was
old in intellect; he knew that he had
done wrong, and he expected to be 1e-
buked, although he knew that his par
ent was ever kind; but in this he was
disappointed, for the mother only turn
ed her dark eyes upon him with a sor-
rowful expression, and then walked rap
idly away to finish her preparations for
tea.
Emma was about to speak again, but
her mother motioned for her to keep ST.
lent, and then all went on as before, save
new and then the glance that the pas
sionate boy bestowed on his parent.
None of these glances were returned
and in little while Mrs. Pason bade
hor ohil1r0r mt khoS~ ,o1o
and work, saying that supper was ready.
II don t want any SUPPER" said
Charles, throwing down his slate heavi-
ly end trying to catch his mothers eye;
but still Mrs. Pason did not answer, nor
did she look angry, she only broke his
bread in his plato ready tor his milk,
and then took her sewing to wait for
her tea till her husband should come.
A half an hour later Charlie had not
spoken, neither had he eaten any supper,
but he stood at the bedroom door lead
ing off from the little parlor, with one
hand clutching the white drapery of his
night t-dress, and the other the knob of
the door.
"Come, Charlie" said Emma, "hurry,
mother wants us all to be IN bed before
father comes.''
II don't care," was the answer, II
shant gOit she does want me to- and
ere the sentence was finished, the boy
threw himself stubbornly between the
snowy sheets Of his trundle bed, and the
door shut out the form OF his mother.
The night of which we write, the fros-
ty breath Of winter was creeping in at
every crevice In the tenement OCCUPIED
by Mr.. Pason's family, and yet it seemed
to cast no gloom over that neat little par
lor where the industrious wife had built
her afternoon fire, and prepared the
evening meal for the family.
Echolng footsteps went BY, and for q
long time Mrs. Pason sat and listened
that she might distinguish her husbands
etep from among the rest. At length be
coming weary of waiting, she went to the
window and peered into the night gloom
without, but it was too dark to distin-
guish features, so she turned away, and
stepped quietly in to the side of the little
trundle'bed, and kneeling she leaned
over the pillow, and once more touched
her lips to her boys cheek, whispering.
as she did 80: 30, Charley darling, you
little know the sad hours your hastY tenn.
per has cost your mother, but feel that
harsh treatment will never overcome II. -
And though she tried to restrain her
tears, low burst of grief broke the still
ness, but the sleeper did not stir: 30 Gov.
erlng him warmly, she slewly arose to
her feet, and once more sought her low
rocking.chair by the fire-side.
Mrs. Pason bowed her head. upon her
hand, and In a few moments she was
buried in deep thought, and yet he1
mind did not roam from home she was
thinking that tonight was the time her
husband would receive his month 9 nav.
and ere the hard earned money wae
placed In her hands, she Was mentally striv.
ing to dispose of it to the best ADVANTAGE
80 intent was Mrs. Pason on planning
that for few minutes she did not notice
that little white-draperied form stood
De1ere her, and then pair of tiny arm,
were about her neck, and Charley. while
sob after sob came forth from hia full
heart, buried his head in her bosom.
10, Mamma he cried, II have been a
naughty boy, but won't be so am
more, IT you will kiss me and saw YOU
love me: 1 was not asleep when YOU
came to the side Of the bed, for l could
not sleep when 1 was afraid you were
angry"
Mrs. PasOn returned the child'a en-
brace, but ere she could answer, the outer
door opened and her husband stepped
within the pa1lor.
"Why don't you put that ch,ld to bed.
Susans" he exclaimed, shaking the snow
from his overcoat, and looking sternlv
into the face of his wife. "You knox
that I have often told you, that want
you to put the children to bed earlv.,
"Mother torgives you, darling,' whis.
pered the wife to her child, and then
added in the same low tone, 'Try and be
.. good boy in future, and remember
that it always grleves me to see YOU in
dulge in hasty temper" and then with
another kiss she led him to his bed, and