The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-03-08
FACING THE NEW YEAR.

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a word of sympathy or kindness, though
she knew he was awake. He had been
moody and i~li.tempered for days. Jane.
the girl Of all work, had given warning the
eldest son, had not come home until mid
night. He had fallen in with some idle
fellows of late, aud it was, she thought.
owing to his companionship that his stand
ing at college was so low.
She went downstairs, her soul feebly
staggering under the burden Of woes, and
opened the windows.
SIN my affliction | called unto the Lord"
she repeated, looking into the murky sky.
Suddenly a gust of sense and courage
swept through her like a fresh wind. Attic
ted? Why. God was behind all these petty
worries, just as the sun was back of this
drenching rainl Had she no faith at all?
Was she to go with a whine and lamenta-
ton to meet the new year? God was in it,
also.
She stiffened herself, body and soul.
With the tears still on her cheeks, and the
choking in her throat, she began to sing a
gay little catch of which she was fond, and
ran to her room again to put on a fresh col
lar and a pretty cravat. She had twenty
things to do before breakfast, but she sang
IN while she was about them. 1t was a
foolish little song, yet out of it a singular
courage and life stole into her heart.
with prayer and thanksgiying-and
thanksgiying-make your requests unto
God" she remembered. She passed
through the kitchen, stopping to wish Jane
a Happy New Year, with a joke. The
wish and the song and the joke fell into
James Irish heart like a blazing rocket IN
to a dark place.
She chuckled as she stirred the potatoes.
"The work at the Ayres' wasn't SO heavy
after all, and herself had a pleasant way
with her, and there was the prisints now
enough past her to send for her sister, an
an it's likely Tim Fiatherty would be
crossin' about that time
Jane brought in the breakfast with red
checks and a broad smile. There was no
more talk Of warning from her.
Mr.. Ayre, lying awake in bed. wa
tempted 10 wish the morning would never
dawn. He was a elose-mouthed, undemon.
strative man, who shut his troubles down
out of sight. But the weight of them just
now was more than he could bear. Things
were going wrong at the works, every day
he discovered mistakes aud petty frauds.
He was growing old; he was behind the
times. Younger manufacturers were sup
planting him in the market. Sharper eyes
than his were needed to watch the men and
the books. As far as his business was con-
cerned, he was in a miserable, blind alley.
from which be saw no exit.
But the hurt which was sorest was no
matter of business. Robert was low in his
Greek class, and still lower in his Latin.
He was growing reckless, running with
low companions. What he had hoped from
that boy! For himself he had no ambition
but for Robert. lie was to be a great
lawyer. like his grandfather. But here he
was going 60 the dogs-at nineteen,
For days Mr.. Ayre had borne his misery
in grim, ill-hAmored silence. But now in
his stern despair he felt he had been silent
too long. He would speak in a way which
Robert would remember to his dying day.
He got up, resolving, as he pulled on his
boots, that the boy should either turn over
a new leaf that day, or leave the house.
''If he is set on going to ruin, it shall not
be under my roof. I'll not palter with
him." he thought, his jaws set and pale.
ssI'll disown him."
just then 4 CHEEKY song rang through the
house. 1t was the very spirit 0 fgood sense
and courage. Poor Hetty. She had been
sick all night, and worried with that cry
ing child, and there she was facing the
New Year with a song. "And l behaved
like a brute to her, " thought Mr.. Ayre.
He was very fond of his wife. As he
stood shaving himself he listened to her
song, and his lips trembled a little. Hetty
used to sing Rob to sleep with that ditty
when he was a baby. What a big fellow
he was, Big in every way. There never
was any thing mean or sneaking about
Rob-a headlong, affectionate, foolish lad.
He listened as he brandished the razor,
holding counsel with himself in the glass.
There could be no doubt that Hetty had
twice his courage to face disaster. 1t was
her faith, perhaps. As he laid down the
razor, he nodded to himself, almost with a
smile. Il reckon | was too hard on the
boy. I'll give him another chance"
He heard Rob's step on the stairs, and
opened the door, waiting.
Rob had Weakened with an aching head.
Defeat at school, the foul talk Of his last
nights comrades, his first drink of whisky,
all tore the poor boys brain. He rose sui
len, and ready for fight. His father and
mother would both attack him, no doubt.
He was tired OF lecturing. He would cut
loose, and earn his own bread like a free
man.
just then his mothers voice reached Ills
ears. 1t was full of tenderness and cheer
full hope. Ii was that old song she used TO
be always singing. He listened with a
forced scowl. But presently his face soft
- nNts.-. A.A.tl. 1870. -. IL