Milford chronicle., 1885-01-02
A DOMESTIC SCENE.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

A DUMENIlU SCENE.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.
0 "You look serious this evening, Hen
~" said Mrs. Trueman, in a voice O
tender interest, as she came up ant
stood by her husband, laying her hanC
upon him as she spoke.
. "Do II" he replied, half evasivelv
and with smile meant to be an indiffer
ent one. But Edith knew her husbands
face too well to be deceived in its ex.
preston.
"You certainly do, she said; "and
more than that, don't think you have
been as cheerful as you are usually, fol
several days"
Trueman's eyes fell to the floor, and
he remained silent. He continued SO
only for short time; then he looked up
steadily into his wife's face, and said:
edith, do feel serious, and have
felt so for several days. Our family is
large. Five children to provide for and
to educate, taxes me heavily. Business
is dull; for the last three weeks I
haven't cleared the rent of my store. If
there is not some change for the better,
do not see what will be the conse-
quence."
"It is a dull season, Edith remarked.
"True.
"Are any of your neighbors much bet
ter ?"
every few, I believe"
"Of course business will revive again.
eyes"
"Then why feel dispirited, Henry ?"
81 can't help it, somehow or other.
The fact is, I don't seem to be getting
along in the world. 1t has been hand to
mouth, as they say, ever since we were
married. "
'And the hand has always had fnl
supply for the mouth, " was the smiling
reply.
81 know it; but suppose I were to be
taken down sick-suppose anything
should happen to me-the family could
not possibly hold together"
"But you are not sick; nothing has
happened to you yet. Why take trouble
on interest? Have you forgotten to put
your trust in Him who feedeth the
ravens ?"
81 forget him too often, Edith"
Trueman replied, looking into his wife's
face steadily. "Thankful am I that He
has given me one who can recall nv
thoughts back to their stay in trouble.
He will not forsake us-I know that He
will not, even though we are called upon
to pass through the fire; but weak ma
ture shrinks away; it fears to encounter
every purifying ordeal, even while con.
scious that it is for good.
"Why anticipate at this particular
time any new ordeal ?"
"a dark cloud gathering in the sky
portends a storm.
''Many, very many; and from some
have fallen upon us fierce tempests."
"Many a cloud comes up from the
horizon with threatening aspect, in
whose bosom no lightning lies CON
cealed, from which descends no rain. |
Have not many such clouds swept harm |
lessly over our sky-purifying our at
mosphere, and giving us, on the NOR
row, brighter sun?
''Yet sometimes marking their way |
with desolation. Our hearts bear some |
Edith was silent. Life had not been
to them all sunshine it had not passed
on smoothly as a boat upon q summer
sea. Her own duties had been arduous,
and her trials severe. She had borne
eight children, and three of them slept
in the grave. These Affections were TO
her very grievous, for she loved her chill
dren; it was touching the very apple of
ler eye to touch them. But in each
dark night of sorrow her glance had
been steadily upward. She had suffered
and she had likewise been blessed
dOubly blessed, it sometimes seemed to
ler. Her voice was slightly tremulous,
rs after a long pause she said:
"They are deep scars, Henry; but can
either of us now say. from the heart, as
We look back upon life, that we would
'ather not have been wounded as we
we're p"
1t was some moments before True
nan replied his eyes were turned in
yard during the time At length,
peaking with a sudden warmth of
manner, he said:
"No, Edith, no do not regret
ingle care nor sorrow that is past. All
ave been for our good. We are really 9
appier in consequence of them.
"And will be. in consequence Of all
hat may come.
"Yes. believe it.
''Then let us not be troubled in our =
Kinds. Let us not distrust His good !
ess whose love is unbounded. He will !
ring all out right in the end" .
just at that moment the keys of a 2
ano in the adjoining room were q
uched lightly and skillfully. Then a :,
'ft. sweet voice sung Mrs. Hemans' ;,
sautiful Evening Song of the Tyro- +
Sc Peasants :" I
"Oome to the sunset tree! 4
The day past and gone; Il
The Woodmans ak lies free, -
And the reaper's work is DONE" b
It was the voice of their own child v
at warbled low and distinctly the rt
rect air and soothing words Of this g.
ng-their Edith-now just at the ten n
7 age of fourteen. She was more m
autiful than her mother had been, NJ
lose virtues were reproduced in her W
lid, with added lustre. Toward her
rents she had ever exhibited the most
voted love. Gentle, wise above her
ars, discreet and firm, she had truly s.
en- an elder sister to her younger to
others and sisters, all Of whom loved st
r, and were ever willing to submit to tr
+ their little difficulties, and abide her Sc
To tell how much her th