The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-13
WHAT MRS. IRWIN WAS THANKFUL FOR.
BY MARY GRACE HALprSE.

T " had grown still more scanty as want and poverty pressed more and more hardly upon him.
 But poor as it was, everything was as neat as his pretty wife Mary's busy hands could make it, who turned upon him the same brave, cheerful smile with which she always welcomed him, though her heart sank as she saw the gloom which shrouded his face.
 Its of no use, Mary" he said sinking down into a chair. Eve walked the streets all the morning, and there is no work to be had; men are discharging their old hands instead of taking new. I've had no work for three months now, with the exception of an odd job or SO. Winter is coming on; all my hardly earn ed savings are gone; and what is to be- come of us is more than Iknowr
 Ut is always darkest before the dawn, Richard"
 That's what you have been saying for a long time," was the gloomy response; "but the night keeps growing darker. wouldn't care so much if it wasn't for you and the baby; but to see you growing so pale and hollow-eyed, and to know that Freddie is neither comfortably fed or clothed drives me almost wild" The young wife laid her hand softly upon the bowed head of the speaker.
 God is good, my husband. He will not forsake those who put their trust in Him, and do the best they can."
 q sometimes doubt whether He cares much for what is done here. It don't look as if he did There is Tom Stevens, who has got rich through fraud and ex- tortion. As I was going through the market on my way home 1 saw him bringing turkey for to-morrow-for to- morrow is Thanksgiving day-that is, for some people. don't know what we have to be thankful for!"
 Mrs. Irwin's chief comfort in these dark days had been her firm belief in the wisdom and goodness of God, and it eager protest that arose to her lips. But she was wise little woman, who knew when to speak and when to be silent.
 q know what have most reason to be thankful for" she said, touching her lips lightly to his forehead; "that I am the happy wife of a man who never gave me occasion to blush for him, or regret the day that made me his" Lifting his head Mir. Irwin looked eagerly into those sweetly serious eyes. aIs this really so, Mary? l have feared, of late, that it was selfish thing in me to take you from a home of ease and comfort to share my hard and toilsome life. You had many suitors. If, know ing all that you do now, you had your choice to make again, would 1t be the same?"
 Tt would be the same. You little know the heart of your wife, Richard, if you think that 1 have the shadow of a regret. only wish 1 could help you in some way"
 "You do help wei If it were not for your love, and all that it gives me, heart and strength would utterly fail" "See what nice dinner 1 have for youl" said Mrs. Irwin, pointing to some covered dishes upon the hearth. ''I don't believe you can guess where l got it?" Begged it, perhaps" with the bitter
 'No, indeed we haven't got to that yet, and, pleaae God, we never will. We had only crust of bread left from breakfast, and this I moistened with some milk for Freddie. As was thinking of it, and f cling troubled at the prospect of having no dinner for you on your return, Mrs. Aliens little girl tapped at the door, say ing, that her mother hoped excuse her for sending some meat and vegetables as she had more than she wanted for din her. Mrs. Allen is the woman who has the rooms under us, and with whose sick baby watched one night last week."
 The savory dishes that Mrs. Irwin placed upon the neatly-spread table gave forth very grateful odor to the hungry man, who, with all the rest of his dis comforts, was faint for want of food. It may be humiliating admission for them to make, but is, nevertheless, true, that the world looks very different to most men after and before dinner; and Mir Irwin arose from the table with more courage for the sharp conflict, the in- evitable hardships, that the majority of people have to endure in one form or an- other.
 See how nicely I have mended your coat" said Mrs. Irwin, holding the article alluded to up before her husband. q want to go to church in the morning. You will go, too, won't you?"
 MT. Irwin had his hat in his hand pre- paratory to going out again on his almost hopeless errand. He turned back.
 "What for?"
 The voice was very low and reverent that said
 'To render thanks to the Lord for all His mercies."
 "Poor little womanl For what will you render thanks? For these thin, fad ed garments, these bare walls, and scarce ly food enough to keep soul and body to- gether?"
 "No, Richard For this, that health and strength are continued to us; that while so many households have been made desolute in our land, we are spared otherl''
 Mir. Irwin felt his eyes moisten as he descended the stairs, though he did not feel the full significance of these words until few hours later.
 "Mary is good woman," he thought; "the best wife in the worldl wish l could feel as she does about these thing, but cant't."
 As he entered a store, whose proprie- tor had sometimes employed him in do- ing odd jobs about it, he was accousted by pleasant-looking elderly man, who addressed him thus
 "Is your name Irwin?"
 "Yes, sir"
 "You worked, at one time, for the Wa terville Sewing Machine Company"
 "Yes, sir. l worked for the company until they failed, about year ago"
 "It did not fail exactly" said the stran- ger, with a smile, "it suspended. It has gone into operation again. My son is one of the firm. He wrote me to try and hunt you up. He is in want of faith ful, competent man to act as foreman.