The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1889-12-12


him. How often had his wife asked him
to send man to fix the cisterni
"Yes, Bridget, the cistern shall be
fxed this very day"
"Well, sur, thin I think I'll stay. I
was just tellin' the mistress that I
wouldn't work any longer wild sich in
convaniences; but If the stove and
cisthern are fixed, q poor girl can get
along"
Mr.. Smith made another memorandum
in his book, and passed on through the
dining-roo towards his wife's room.
He noticed that her plate indicated on
untasted breakfast. Softly he opened
the door of their room. His wife
started up hastily, with an expression
Of alarmed inquiry on her face. Her
eyes were wet with tears. The baby,
still in its night-clothcs, was fretting
in the cradle, while q little two-year
old, partly dressed, tugged at her skirts.
"And so you missed the train-break-
fast was late-well, can't help it.
Bridget Is going to leave, too," and the
poor little woman covered her face with
her hands and burst into sobs and tears.
She fully expected angry complaints
from her husband, and, in some vague
way, she felt she was to blame. She
could not compass every thing, and the
babies were 80 troublesome. Oh, did
every young mother have such q hard
time as she did?
"Why, darling, what is the matter?"
said Mr.. Smith, putting his arms around
his wife, and drawing her to him.,
Come! don't mind. l think 1t is really
mostly my own fault. I have come
through the kitchen, and find Bridget
has so much trouble with the stove be-
ing broken and the chimney smoking
that wonder she can get breakfast at
ALL"
81 ought to get up in time to see that
you have breakfast early" sobbed the
poor little woman; "but Bridget is SO
cross this morning and II am SO tired"
''No wonder, darling, that you are
tired, with the care of these big babies
wearing on you all the time. You have
no business to have any care Of break
fast at all and you shall not have after
this. You need your good morning nap
and you shall have it. Bridget is all
right. I'm going to get that broken
stove and cistern fixed to-day and then
If Bridget can't get breakfast in time
we'll find some other way to do. Come,
now, cheer up and I'll help you dress
these rogues; have plenty Of time be-
fore the next train"
How wonderful is the effect upon the
physical nature of spiritual i'm
pulse! How quickly can an uplifted
and strengthened spirit energize and
strengthen the body! Every thing
seemed instantly changed for poor, de-
jected little Mrs. Smith. She laid her
cheek on her husbands breast, feeling
what haven of strength and peace 1t
was. How dear and precious was his
love and protection! Her eyes bright
ened and her cheeks glowed. Her weari-
ness and depression, which had been
utter misery, gave way to delightful
feeling of repose and loving happiness.
In the midst of the most prosaic sur
roundings her heartwas full of the finest
and most inspiring emotion.
"Dear, dear love, how good you are!"
she said. "How you have changed the
aspect Of every thing for me this morn
ing! Had you reproached me, as many
husbands would have done, I should
have sunk in the deepest anguish. Now
/ feel strong-strong and happy"
Releasing his wife with tender kiss,
Mr.. Smith took tho baby from the
cradle, and merrily drew its stockings
and shoes on its little, plump, kicking,
rosy feet Then he brushed out the
other little fellows curls and buttoned
his shoes. Willie, the Oldest, had
slipped out of the house, and Mr.. Smith
went to look for him, and found that he
had taken advantage of an insecure lock
on the gate to run off up street. Bring
ing him back, Mr.. Smith got the
hatchet, and in few minutes had the
gate fixed SO that Master Willie could
not open 1T. His wife smilingly opened
the front door, and, seeing what had
been done, exclaimed: "Oh, I am SO re-
lieved to find that Willie can not get
out OF the yard! 1t has been such a
trouble that he could open the gate"
And now it was time to start for the
next train, If he stopped to order the
stove and pump man to do the promised
work. So, gaily kissing his wife and
children, once more Mr.. Smith started
for the station. AS he walked along
with light and cheerful heart he
mused:
"How cheap thing is happiness,
after all, and yet how easy to turn II
into misery! If had given way to my
temper this morning, l should have
gratified momentary impulse of un
reasonable anger, and left behind me
aching and discouraged hearts. Thanl
heaven for the influence of the song Oi
bird and scent of flowers; and thanh
heaven, too, for all the gentle in
Hnences and sweet affections that cat
make the most uneventful life a bless
ing! Dear, good wife! and dear, p'eciou
little children! Thank God, have lef
them happy this morning, If did mis-
the train" Helen Il. Starrett, in In
terror.
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