Smyrna times., 1881-10-12
A Changed Home.
SNYRNA. Oct. 9th, 1881.

and |, nearly all the evening. For the
last half hour, however, there had been
a lull, for had been busy putting the
children to bed, and attending to matters
in the kitchen that my servant girl had
overlooked. 1t was about 10 O'Clock
when l had finished my round of duties
and sat down again beside my husband,
fully expecting he would renew our un-
happy discussion. But, to my relief, Just
as he commenced. some one gave our door
bell q hearty ring.
1t must be some poor, distracted
thing" thought l, ito be ringing this
stormy night for admittance, and so late,
too"
So sprang quickly to the door, and as
| opened it the storm came pclting into
my face in a way which threatened to
blind me.
"Come in," said to the lady who stood
on the steps. Il think you must be nearly
frozen"
Il am very cold" she replied, enter
ing, and running up to my husband, who
sat by the fire; then, extending her hand,
she said, 4" 1 suppose you do not recognize
me-"
Yes, it is Miss Boynton.'
" Mrs. La Fargo now; have been mar
ried and widowed since you saw me last" D"
Indeed! Well, airs, La Fargo, let me
make you acquainted with my Wife" said
my husband, looking as pleasant as though
he were incapable of ever looking other
wise.
The widow then turned to me and began
to make apologies for thus intruding at so
unreasonable an hour.
No intrusion at ALL answered my
husband, but instead, a pleasant sur
prise. assure you we are happy to en-
! tertain you"
The pretty lady burst into tears
"I am glad" she cried, ''if any one is
glad to see me. Since my husband died l
have had pretty hard time of it, have
wandered about homeless, scarcely know
ing one day where the next would find
me. | have one brother; all the rest of
my relatives are dead; but he is the least
kind to me of any one. I have an annual
income of sixty dollars year; this is far
better than nothing, but is by no means
enough to support me. My health is so
precariOus that l cannot successfully en-
gage in any kind of business, so I know
| not what will become of me"
Do not despair, my dear woman; you
are young, and l hope better days are in
store for you."
/ said this in as kind tone as possible.
and my husband quite as kindly added:
You can stay with us as long as you
like, if that will help YOU"
Thank you-thank you!" she replied
II am sure it must be a little paradise
here, if it is anywhere. When first en-
tered your cosy room tonight, and saw
you looking so comfortable and happy, il
made me feel all the more miserable and
lonely"
looked at nay husband and he at mo-
Had we been, and were we happy? oh
how that poor woman was deceived II
she in her unprotected state was less
happy than /, l pitied her with all my
heart. Still / would not undeceive her
Appearances were against met my home
was comfortable and pleasant, and if love
had only embellished it, it might indeed
have been paradise, But we had ceased
to love each other, he and ], and only fol
our children we should have parted long
before. For the sake Of those three sweet
faced darlings we lived together still
though quarrels were frequent between
us. / thought ] tried to do the best
could, but perhaps was not an impair
tial judge Of my own conducts he owned
that he was exacting and impatient. Al
all events we were sure we could be hap
pier apart
After the widow retired, leaving m'
alone with my husband again, we wer'
both at loss to know how to act or wha
TO say to each other.
If this woman is really so lonely anC
uncared for, in consequence Of losing he
. husband,u thought /, 'then why woul,
not be, If similarly situated2 have NJ
friends or relatives who care anything 70
me any more than she has, and my hus
band should be my all in ALL
sat beside him, warming my feet q