The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-28

into the room, as he hustled about reduc-
ing to order books and chairs that the
children had left in confusion. He light
ed the fire in the CRATE, saying, half apollo
getically, 1--WE must have a fire, Jenny;
the evening is decidedly chilly"
Breakers aheadP' -muttered Captain
Otis, as he was left alone in his room.
Breakers ahead and discord among the
officersI"
Captain Otis spent the morning in at
tending to the business that had brought
him to the city, and saw little Of the fam
| lily until they met at a late dinner. The
large parlors were now open, and cheer
full fire burned in the CRATE, but the COM
pany air of the rooms and of the we'll
furnished table seemed no less oppressive
to the family than to their guest. 1t was
not until the second morning that he
found opportunity for conversation with
his niece, whose childhood had been
passed in his family, and In whose welfare
he had ever taken deep interest. Tom
had gone to his office; the children, after
much confusion had been made ready for
school, when Mrs. Sampson, with weary
sigh, sank into her accustomed chair in
the dining-room.
as the tide out, jenny" inquired
Captain Otis.
eyes," replied Mrs. Sampson. "The
| life tide is gong out, too"
"But the tide flows in again, and often
brings treasures, you know"
"Not here; it brings only waves that
threaten to overwhelm me. 1 do the best
I can, uncle, but Tom and the boys are
quite getting beyond me-"
"The ship fails to obey the helm, eh2"
"We are among breakers, uncle;
don't know for what port we are MAX
ing," replied Mrs. Sampson, using the
phraseology familiar to her childhood.
Jenny" said Captain Otis, "do you
remember the ship that went ashore on
the rocks in the harbor one night?"
eyes, I remember; all on board were
lost"
"Do you remember the cause of the
wreck? You were too young, perhaps,
to know; the harbor lights were neglected
that night, and the ship mistook false
lights for the true. Every hsrbor, every
home, should keep it's lights trimmed and
burning. Have you never lighted yours,
or have they burned out?"
Harbor lights ?" questioned Mrs
| Sampson.
"When I made for this port" contin-
ued her uncle, "there was little to guide
me; the outer harbor was dark, and the
inner one not much better. 1t pays to
attend to these things, niece. A we'll
lighted home is beacon that lights the
path of many wanderer, and sometimes
draws him back when he is steering an =
other way. Tom is making for another
shore; the boys may follow in his wake"
81 see what you mean, UNCLE" replied
Mrs. Sampson. "You mean that the
house was dark and cheerless."
eyes, and that the electric light, the
light that dims all others, was not visible
It's the wife aud mother that makes the
home bright"
"But, uncle, can't possibly keep
awake in the evening; am SO exhausted
usually fall asleep with Harry"
"And leave the children to spend the
evening as they please, while Tom finds
cheer elsewhere? You are making mis-
take, niece; throw open your psrlors
every evening; keep the fire and the lights
burning. and you'll be the happier"
"But gas bills are so heavy, do not
see how we can afford it."
"You can't afford not to do it. Do
none of your friends come in to spend an
evening with your"
"Not now," replied Jenny; Sand it is
long time since I've been able to invite
company"
tom is 80 fond of company. I'm not
surprised that he goes to club to End it.
Keep your lights bright, and perhaps he
will steer clear ofthe rocks, and make
port again"
Mrs. Sampson was startled by her un-
cle's words.
When Tom came home, he was welcom-
ed by bright light in the hall, and a
glimpse of the parlor showed him mer-
ry group Of children gathered around
their mother in the cheerful room.
"Hasn't Uncle Otis gomez" he inquired
in surprise.
"He went this morning." replied Mrs.
Sampson.
"See what he left usp cried the child
rem. displaying games suited to the even
ing fireside.
The tea-bell called them to the dining
room.
"How festive we look tonight" re-
| nnarkad Mr. SamnaOm noting the unuaual