The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-02-15

could Pat Tx the ClStnerD, tOOf Inc
pump has been broken long time and
keeps me back drawing water wild a
rope"
Again Mr.. Smiths conscience smote
him. How often had his wife asked
him to send man to fix the cistern
ayes, Bridget, the cistern shall be
fixed this very day."
"Well, sur, thin | think I'll stay. |
was just tellln' the mistress that |
wouldn't work any longer wld slch IN
convaniences but If the stove and cis-
thern are fixed, a poor girl can get
along"
Mr.. Smith made another memoran-
DUN in his book, and passed on through
the dining room toward his wie's room.
He noticed that her plate indicated an
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 ht-clothes, was fretting in
the cradle, while little two-year old
partly dressed, tugged at her skirts.
"And you missed the train-break
fast was late-well, l can't help it
Bridget is going to leave, too" and the
poor little woman covered her face with
her hands and burst into tears. She
fully expected angry complaints from
her husband, and, in some vague way
felt she was to blame. She could moi
compass everything, and the babies
were so troublesome. Oh, did every
young mother have such a 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. | think it is
really mostly my own fault. l have
come through the kitchen, and l find
Bridget has so much trouble with the
stove being broken and the chimney
smoking that l wonder she can gel
breakfast at ALL"
81 ought to get up in time to see
that you have breakfast earlv," sobbed
the poor little woman "but Bridget is
so cross this morning and IL am SC
tired"
"No wonder, darling, that you are
tired with the care of those 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 1t. Bridget /:
all right. I'm going to get the 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 III 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 impulse
uow quickly can an upllfted and
strengthened spirit energize and strength
en- the body! Everything seemed instant
ly changed for poor little Mrs. Smith. She
laid her cheek oD her husbands breast,
feeling what haven of strength and
peace it was. How dear and precious
was his love and protection /! Her eyes
frightened and her cheeks glowed
Her WEAKNESS and depression, which
had been utter misery, gave way to q
delightful feeling of repose and loving
happiness. In the midst of the most
prosaic surroundings her heart was full
of the finest and most inspiring emo,
ton.
"Dear, dear love, how good you are 7!
she said. "How you have changed the
aspect of everything for me this morn
ing Had you reproached me, as
many husbands would have done,
should have sunk in the deepest an
guish. Now | feel slrong-strong anG
happy"
Releasing his wife with tender kiss
Mr.. Smith took the baby from the era
die, and merlily drew its stockings anc
shoes on its little, plump, kicking ROSY
feet. Then he brushed out the othe
little fellows curl. and buttoned HI
shoes. Willie, the Oldest, had slipped
out of the house, and Mr.. Smith wen
to look for HIM, and found that he haC
taken advantage of an insecure lock or
the gate to run off up the street. Bring
ing him back, Mr.. Smith got the hatch
ct, and in few minutes had the gate
fixed so that Master Willie could no
open 1t. His wife smilingly opened tht
front door, exclaimed: "Oh, | am So
relieved to find that Willie cannot ge
out of the yard. 1t has been such ;
trouble that he could open the gate =
And now it was time to start for tn.
next train, if he stopped to order th'
stove and pump man to do the prom
lsed work. So, gaily kissing his wife
and children, once more Mr.. SalitI
started for the station. As he walkeC
along with light and cheerful heart ht
mused:
"How cheap thing is happiness
after all, and yet how easy to turn it in
to misery! If l had given way to M,
temper this morning, should hav'
gratified momentary impulse Of un
reasonable anger, and left behind me al
aching and discouraged heart. Tharl
heaven for the influence of the song .
birds and scent of flowers and thanl
heaven, too, tor all the gentle irfu
ences and sweet affections that cal
make the most uneventiul life a bless
ing! Dear, good wife !! and dear, pre-
cious little children Thank God,
have left them happy this morpIng, II