generous
wine was given. Its effect was as marked as the first. I then
withdrew from the humble home of the widow and her only child,
promising to see them again in the morning.

When I regained the street, and my thoughts for a moment reverted to
myself, how did I find all changed? The clouds had been
dispersed--the heavy load had been raised from my bosom. I walked
with a free step.

Sympathy for others, and active efforts to do others good, had
expelled the evil spirit from my heart; and now serene peace had
there again her quiet habitation. There was light in every part of
my dwelling when I re-entered it, and I sung cheerfully, as I
prepared with my own hands, a basket of provisions for the poor
widow.

When my husband returned again in the evening, he found me at work,
cheerfully, in my family, and all bright and smiling again. The
efforts to do good to others had driven away the darkness from my
spirit, and the sunshine was again on my countenance, and reflected
from every member of my household.

CHAPTER XXI.

A BARGAIN.

I AM not much of a bargain-buyer, having had, like most
housekeepers, sufficient experience on that subject to effect a
pretty thorough cure of the disease, mild as it was in the
beginning. As all diseases, whether bodily or mental, leave behind
them a predisposition to return, I have, from time to time, been
subjected to slight paroxisms of the old complaint. From the effects
of my last rather mild attack, I am now recovering.

I was passing along Walnut street, on my way to drop a letter in the
Post Office, one morning, about ten o'clock, when the ringing of an
auctioneer's bell came suddenly on my ears. Lifting my eyes, I saw
the flag of Thomas & Son displayed before me, and read the words,
"Auction this morning."

Here was an "exciting cause," as the doctors say, and, instantly I
felt a movement of the old affection. Two or three ladies happened
to be entering the store at the time, and the sudden inclination to
follow them was so strong that I did not attempt its resistance. It
was not my intention, to buy any thing, of course; for I was
conscious of no particular want. I only just wished, if any wish
were really full formed, to see what was to be sold.

Scarcely had I entered the door, when a sofa, so nearly new that it
hardly bore a mark of having been used, presented itself, and
captivated my fancy. The one that graced our parlor had grown
somewhat out of fashion