Year: 1861

gush OF maternal anguish, caused an entire
withdrawal of herself from society, and shut
her up in the shadowy retirement of her own
chamber for a greater portion OF the time.


No interest for Others could be awakened
in the mind of Mrs. Goldsmith. What was
the outside world to her? Human sympathy
was barred from her heart. She felt herself
to be of finer quality than the mass OF the
people around her, and in her sorrow and
stricken pride she held herself coldly alooi


IfAIrs. Goldsmith had taken interest in
any employment,-had gone down, with
true woman's care and thought, into her
household, and wrought out therein the
highest possible comfort for its inmates
then would she have found seasons oi calm
ness and peace. But instead CT this. neglect
and indifference produced constant irregu'
larities: and sharp, angry or injudicious re-
proof and complaining alienated domestics,
and made the home OfAlrs. Goldsmith so un'
like u true home that it scarcely deserved the
name.


And so life at forty was proving a failure
10 one whose promise at twenty appeared
bright as cloudless day in June. called
one evening to sec her husband-a man OF
large business operations, whose sober, alb
stracted face did not indicate peaceful mind.
Care drew tightly on the muscles about his
lips, wrinkled his forehead, and fixed his
eyes in an absent kind Of gaze, as il he were
o king away from the present into some far
beyond. Ii was not often that visitors saw
Mrs. Goldsmith. was privileged. She
did not retire from the family circle on my
entrance. A aeeting smile lit up her pale
face as came in, but il faded quickly, leav-
Ing weary desolate look in her eyes and
about her mouth. Her conversation was as
dreary us her face. Domestic troubles-thc
worthlessness of scrvants-the daily and
hourly vcxations to which the family were
subjectcd-poor hcalth-depression OF spirits
these were the topics dwelt upon during
the hour staid. l tried several times to
get her mind away frcm thcm-to interest
her in other people and other themes: but
like trained spring, it came always back to
its common adjustment


The case of Mrs. Goldsmith is hopeless,
said TO myself on retiring. What are
wealth and luxury il their pOssessors can use
them to no better advantage than this? In
action produces stagnation, and stagnation
breeds sickly forms Of life. The mind OF
Mrs. Goldsmith is u stagnant pool. Miasma
hangs over the surface like cold yopor, and
in the sluggish waters below monstrous crca-
lures are taking shape and vitality. Storm
aud food were better than this. Let the
pool be swept in ruin away, SO that even the
tiniest stream remain, singing as its pure
waters aow on and ON in happy song chord
ing sweetly with every wind-note that kisses
the aower-heads bending above! Yes, yes;
this were better far"


\ year afterwards, in distant city, | read
of Mr.. GOldsmith's sudden death; aud letters
received from home soon afterwards gave me
the information that he died bankrupt
Ills widow is left without dollar, was the
language Of my correspondent.


Poor Mrs. Goldsmith = said |, looking up
from my letter, and recalling her image as
last seen. Here is trouble indeed, trouble
that YOU cannot sit down and brood over
trouble that will give no permission for an
elegant retirement from the world-trouble
that neither pride nor selfish love Of ease can
endure. All, il there any strength left for
an ordeal like this?'


After an absence Of three years | returned.
In my own absorbing duties-in my own
trials, suiferings, and liie-discipline-Alrs.
Goldsmith was forgotten, or only remember
ed at times with vague impcrsOnality. She
was of the great outside world OF men and
women who do not touch the chords of our
individual life, nor awaken a sympathetic
interest.


was sitting in one of the parlors of an
old and valued friend when young lady
who had rung at the door and been admitted
by the servant, came in. My friend said
in kind, familiar voice, but without intro.
ducing her.


oh, Margaret y


Miss Annie is at home7' There was q
low pleasant tone in the speakers voice.


Yes. Walk into the back parlor. She'll
be with You in a moment


The young lady passed through the fold
insdoors, and we were alone again.


There's something familiar in her face,
said |, looking inquiringly atmy friend


'Anua's music teacher; Miss Goldsmith.


Not daughter of Robert Goldsmith, who
died a few years ago?'


Yes


What of her mothcrT l asked, with a
suddenly quickcnins interest, is she still
living?


'oh, yes


Where, and how?'


with her daughter


Whom she cast OF in anger on account oil
her marriage with young man resardeda a.
beneath her?'


Yes


what of him7' | inquired.


'lle's an estimablc person, | believe, ant
holds responsible position in one Of GU,
large mercantile houses


What blow to pride I wonder how
Mrs. Goldsmith's present compares with hel
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