Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-08-24
CnIy a Few Words.

Ol Ills culCc, Win quick ana urm step,
and The air Of man slightly disturbed
in mlnd.
Things are getting better FAST said
he, with touch Of irony in his voice,
as he almost flung himself into his
leather cushioned chair. It's rather
hard when man has to pick his words
III bis own house as carefully as if he
were picking diamonds, and tread as
softly as if he were stepping or eggs.
dou't like it. Mary gets weaker and
more foolish every day, and puts q
breadth Of meaning en- my words thai
| never intended them 10 have
I've not been used to this coming ovsl
of sentences and picking out Of all
doubtful expressions ere yenturing to
speak, and Pm too old to begin new
Mary took me for what l am, and she
must make the most of her bargain
I'm past the age for learning new
tricks.
With these and many other justify
ing sentences, did Mr.. Wiskleman seek
10 obtain feeling OF self-a2proyal.-
But, for all this, he could not shut out
the image of fearful face, nor get riG
of an annoying conviction that he hst
acted tboughtlessly, to say the least o
it, in speaking to his wife as he ha(
done.
But what was all this trouble about
Clouds were in the sky that bent ovel
the home of Mr.. Winkleman, and it il
plaiu that Mr. Winkleman himself had
his own share in the work of producing
these clouds. Only few uuguardet
words had been spoken. Only words
And was that all?
Words are little things, but they some
tines strike hard. We WELD them sc
easily that we are apt to forget their
hidden power. Fifty spoken, they fall
like the sunshine, the dew and the fer
tlzing rain; but when unGtly, like the
frost, The hail aud the desolatlug temp
est. Some men speak as they feel or
think. without calculating the torce OF
what they say; and then seem very
much surprised if any one is hurt OF
offended. To this class belonged Mr..
Winklemau. His wife was loving.
sincere woman, of quick feelings. Words
to her were indeed realities. They
never fell upon her ear as idle sounds.
How often was her poor heart bruised
with them
On this particular morning, Mrs.
Wiukleman, whose health was feeble,
found herselfin weak, nervous state.
Itwas only by an effort that shs could
rise above the morbid lrritability that
afflicted her. Earnestly did abe strive
to repress the disturbed beating, Of her
heart, but she strove IN vain. And 1t
seemed to Der as it often does in such
cases, that everything went wrong. The
children were freiful. the cook dilatorY
and cross and Mr.. Wnkleman i'm
patient, because sundry little matters
pertaining to bis wardrobe were not just
10 bis mind.
Eight O'Clock, and no breakfast yet,
said Mr.. Winkleman, as he drew out
his watch, on completing his own toilet
Mrs. Wlnklemau was in the act of
dressing the last Of the five childten. all
Of whom had passed under her hands
Each had been captious, cross or un-
ruly ,sorely trJ ing the mothers patience.
Twice had she been in the kitchen, to
ste how breakfast was progressing, and
to enjoin the careful preparation Of
favorite dish with which she had pre-
posed to surprise her husband.
1T will be ready in a few minutes
said Mrs. Wlnkleman. The fire hasn't
burned freely this morning.
Irit isn't one thing, it is another,
growled the husband. 'I'm getting tired
Of this irregularity. Tnere'd soon be No
breakfast to get, if l were always be-
hind time iu business matters.
Mrs. Wlnkleman bent lower over the
child she was dressing To conceal the
expression Of her face. What sharp
pain now threbbed through her temples!
Mr.. Winkleman began 10 pace the floor
impatiently, little imagining that every
arriving football was blow on the
sensitive aching brain Of his wife.
Too bad ! too bad!' he had just
aculated when the bell rang.
AT lasl!' he muttered, and strode
towards the breakfast room. The chill
dren followed in consid ,rable disorder,
and Mrs. Winkleman, after hastily ar
ranging her hair, and putting on
morning cap, joined them at the table.
It took some moments to restore order
among the little ones.
The dish that Mrs. Wilkleman had
been at considerable pains to provide
for her husband, was set beside his
plate. 1t was his favorite among many
ard his wife looked for pleased recog-
milton thereof, and lighting up OF his
couded brow. But he did not seem
even to notice it. After supplying the
children, Mr.. Winkleman helped him
self in silence. At the first mouthful
he threw dDwp his kuife and fork, and
pushed his plate from him.
WHAT'S the matterS' inquired lbs
VIE.
You didn't trust Bridget 10 cook
this, | hopo?' was the response.
What is the matter with it?' Mrs.
wlnkleman's eyes were filing with
Tears