The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-04-19

A family living in this city possessed
one child, bright boy of four years,
who during the past winter fell victim
to the frightful epidemic of diphtheria
and after a brief illness died. Both
parents were crushed by the blow, butit
seemed as If the young motAer never
would rally. At last friends suggested
that she make q tour South to visit rela-
tives, and assisted her to get ready.
More dead than alive, she left home, and
accompanied only by her mother went
off on her mournfu1 journey in search of
health if not of happiness.
The husband meanwhile was left
alone; he was obliged to 60 every day to
his business; to buy and sell and mingle
with other men, and keep back the tears
which it would have been unmanly to
shed, but which would rise in his heart
whenever he thought of his beautiful
boy; he was doubly bereaved in also
losing the society of his wife, but he
| tried to bear it as best he might.
And then the thought occurred to him
that he might fill up his time and also
create a pleasant diversion for his wife
on her return by making some changes
| in their pretty home, SO that she would
not be reminded at every glance of the
dear lost child; and he called in paper
hangers, bought new furniture, remod-
eled the old, and had the happiness of
having it all ready and waiting when
his wife returned. 1t had literally been
labor of love with him, and as he met
his wife, and heard her express her sim
cere wish for home, he smiled in the
gladness of his heart over her antici-
pated relief. The house was dimly
lighted when she entered, but the pretty
sitting-room was illuminated, and the
new wsll-hangings. the bright furniture
shorie resplendent as she saw them
there. Her husband waited for her first
words of approval.
..What is thisp" she asked in faint
cold voice. 'This ie not home, where
have you taken me, Charliep"
"It is home, DEAR" answered her hus-
oand, kindly. 81 made the changes to
surprise you. I knew you could moi
bear to see it just as it was when-wheI
you went away. Everything is new and
j different
Her answer was a low heart-broken
20, Charlie! how could you," she
sobbed. Where is the dear old rookie,
that used to rock little Berthe to sleeE
IN every night of his ife--oh what have
you done with that, and the place on the
wall where measured him every year
and the mark that his dear little high
,hair made, and the notches he cut in thu
window sill, and the marks of his little
feet on the chair-rungs, and his own mai
to hang his cap and scarf onp Why
Charlie, I could not sleep for thinking o
them. l hurried home to them-they
were all had! they were all hadr'
Grief is selfish; cold, cruel and selfisl
to the living. but something in the lool
her husband gave her made the youni
wife stop and say gently: ':Never mind
[ will get used to the new things-the,
are very pretty. Thank you, dear"
But oh the lost photographs on th'
. wall, the trace of sunny head, the i'm
press of restless little fingers, now for
ever stilled, the mark of q boyish heel Oh
J the door-sill, the magnetism of liYin!
, presence; these were gone never to re
turn, there was nothing left except this
: To remember that the daily comfort an
happiness of one human soul is wort
, more than all the tears that affection Cal
! shed over one who is gone, one who n
longer needs ''our poor protection" VIII
1 would bid us dry our tears, and look u
up to that Heaven, where all mourn
ers shall be comforted.-Detroit Post an
Tribune.