Perhaps, having known together
such real affliction, we cannot now afford to be disturbed by the petty
vexations and worthless misunderstandings that form the troubles of
smoother lives. Perhaps, having been all but so awfully parted, we can
never afford, in this short life, to be otherwise than of one heart and
one soul. Perhaps, my dear, in short, the love that kept faith through
shame, and was cemented by fellow-suffering, can hardly do otherwise
than flourish to our heart's best content in the sunshine of prosperity
with which God has now blessed us.
THE SMUT.
The councillor's chimney smoked. It always did smoke when the wind was
in the north. A Smut came down and settled on a brass knob of the
fender, which the councillor's housekeeper had polished that very
morning. The shining surface reflected the Smut, and he seemed to
himself to be two.
"How large I am!" said he, with complacency. "I am quite a double Smut.
I am bigger than any other. If I were a little harder, I should be a
cinder, not to say a coal. Decidedly my present position is too low for
so important an individual. Will no one recognize my merit and elevate
me?"
But no one did. So the Smut determined to raise himself, and taking
advantage of a draught under the door, he rose upwards and alighted on
the nose of the councillor, who was reading the newspaper.
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