Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-09-07
Pm Going Home Tonight.

had made my purchase. Tap, tap. tap,
from the counter-girPs pencil and her sharp
call "Cash, here !" was answered by "Cash
21," a small boy who took the goods, memo
randum and money. As | sat waiting for
the parcel and change, | looked down the
row of young women who served as clerks,
and thought of them standing behind the
counter from morn till night and day after
day; and as never before my sympathy arose
for them. How tired some of them seemed
Indeed their uninterested, automatic man
ner told tale of weariness for all. Many
of them had prematurely old faces, and
wore, as thought, discontented expression.
The one who waited upon Inc, however,
tried to be cheerful and accommodating.
What dull routine their work appeared 10
be One of them had few field daisies in
her belt, suggestive of green fields, blue
sky, and fresh air. | wondered if she picked
them herself. As usual waited some time
for my purchase to be returned meanwhile
thoughts crowded in, busily conjecturing
the home life Of these girls and whether
something might not be done for their ben
eft, and for the little tired cash boys too,
who trot back and forth the livelong day.
The return of the lad with the parcel re-
called me from my reverie. lie leaned on
his elbow in weary way, as he handed up
the basket with package and change, sup
porting his head with his hand for mo-
ment; turning to leave he said to the young
woman in cheerful eager tone, "I'm going
home tonight $50 am l." she answered
quickly; "and what funny thing for him
to say,' she added, addressing the one next
her. | turned to look at the boys face not
having noticed it, but he was in the crowd,
and lash 81 disappeared from my sight (;
but the words "Pm going home tonight"
were not so easily lost. Was the poor boy
so tired he longed for home, that he might
rest; or did "visions of happiness dance
o'er his mind as he thought of father,
mother, brothers, sisters Maybe his mother
is a widow, and he is helping to keep the
little family together with his weekly earn
ings, and he longs for his cordial welcome
As | left the store and turned my steps to-
wards home | mused on the incident | said
to myself too am going home, and what
dren, many Of whom were carrying baskets,
bundles, packages of one kind and another,
were passing on and seemed by their eager,
hurried manner to be impelled by the same
homeward longing. The ferry was crossed,
the cars furnished restfu seats, and the train
sped on with its burden of home seekers.
And my thoughts sped on too. Home should
be the one great point of attraction in our
lives, holding us on our course, urging us on
to right doing, g,giving us courage and strength
for duties. Our love for it should make evil
acts and evil thoughts repulsive. Aud what
may the various homes be to which we are
severally going? Are they loving and happy
ones How much "home.light" does each
Of us carry tonight, or how much do we
daily bear about with us ? Some one has
said "The sunbeam is composed of millions
of minute rays, so home-light must be con-
sttuted of little tenderness, kindly looks,
sweet laughter, and loving words" Well
then, thought |, if all in this train carry
such an influence home with them, how
many happy homes there are; and how
many happy hours in store for all these
home-traveers, as well as for the expectant
ones waiting and eager to welcome their re,
turn. Then if true, loving happy home
here is but type of the one above, if we
believe that place is prepared for us in our
Fathers House," where we shall en- )y the
infinite perfection of home happiness, ought
it to sadden us to sing
"Im my home to-day than I've been before
Thus, upon alghting from the train,
mentally thanked the little cash boy for his
pleasant words; "lm going home tonight =
| -NeU York Eudn0elist