The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-04-12

day and rose to face II, the great
burden Of his responsibility beginning
to rest upon him for the first time. He
sat down for a moment by his wife
and kissed her, putting his arms about
her, while Bess climbed up on the side
Of the couch, and the boys stood irreso-
lutte and wondering. Any outward
mark Of affection was SO unusual on
the part Of their father that they felt
awkward In the presence Of It Mrs.
Hardy was almost overcome.
"Oh, Robert, cannot bear It! Surely
It was nothing more than dream. 1t
couldn't have been anything more.
You are not going to be called away
from us so soon."
"Mary, would to God that had
seven years to atone for my neglect and
selfishness toward you alone. But am
certain that God has granted me but
seven days. | must act, God help me!
Boys, you will be late. We will all be
at home this evening. Alice, care for
your mother and cheer her up. You
are a good girl and
Again Mr.. Hardy broke down as he
thought Of the many years he had
practically ignored this brave, strong,
accomplishing nature In his own
house, and remorse tore him fiercely
as he recalled how he had practically
discouraged all the poor girls ambi.
tious efforts to make her way as an
artist, not on account Of the expense,
for Mr.. Hardy was not niggard in
that respect, but because he had a
false idea concerning the profession.
He looked at the girl now as she limp.
ed across the floor to her mother, her
pale. intellectual face frightened by
her love and her eyes shining with
tears at her fathers unusual praise.
20 God" was the inner cry of Mr..
Hardy's heart, "what have | not neg.
lected when | had it In my power to
create 20 much happiness"
The thought almost unnerved him,
and for a moment he felt like sitting
down to do nothing. But only for q
moment He rose briskly, went Out
into the hall and put on his overcoa,
and. coming back moment, said: 81
am going down to see poor Scoville the
first thing. shall be so busy you must
not look for me at lunch. But | will
be back to 6 o'clock dinner. Goodby.'
He kissed his wife tenderly. and she
clung to him. sobbing. Then he kissed
his daughters. a thing he had not done
since they were babies, and shook
hands with the boys and marched Out
like one going to execution. something
bright glistening In his own eyes.
All, ye fathers and husbands, YOU
who are toiling for the dear ones al
home. how many Of you have grown
10 unaccustomed to the tender affec
tions Of home that your own wife
would almost faint and think some
thing was going to happen to you II
you kissed her goodby when you went
away to your work in the morning
How do you know that she who hal
been your faithful friend and lover al
these years and nursed you through
peevish sickness and done . thousand
things every day for you without 81
much ~ word Of thanks or praise
on your part-how do you know sh'
does not care for these demonstration
Of affection7 And II she does not, how
does 1t happen except through neglect
Call 1t not little thing. 1t Is Of sucf
little things that heaven is made, ant
1t 10 of the home where such LITTLE
things are found that It can truly b'
said, Love Is master. and the evil ont
cannot find an entrance to blot will
his foul tread the sweetest thing OF
| earth"
Mr. Hardy hurried down toward th'
tenement where Ward Scoville lived
revolving In his mind as he went aloni
plans for his future happiness ant
| comfort.
I'H deed him the place where b,
lives and arrange 1t in some way 81
that he won't have to so to the hos
pital or come on the county when hi
poor wife is gone. 1t will be the bes
I can do for him. Poor fellow! Wha
q shame did not come down las