The almost heart-broken wife and mother leaned her head upon the shoulder of her husband, and clung to his side with a newly-revived confidence, that she felt would not be disappointed, while the tears poured from her eyes like rain. But her true feelings we cannot attempt to describe--nor dare we venture to sketch further the scene we have introduced. The reader's imagination can do it more justice, and to him we leave that pleasing task, with only the remark, that Mrs. Jarvis's newly-awakened joys and hopes have not again been disappointed. TIME, FAITH, ENERGY. "I DON'T see that I am so much better off," said Mr. Gordon, a man who had recently given up drinking. "I lost my situation on the very day I signed the pledge, and have had no regular employment since." "But you would have lost your situation if you hadn't signed the pledge, I presume," said the individual to whom he was complaining. "Yes. I lost it because I got drunk and spoiled my job. But to hear some temperance people talk, one who didn't know would be led to believe that, the very moment the pledge was signed, gold could be picked up in the streets. I must confess that I haven't found it so. Money is scarcer with me than it ever was; and though I don't spend a cent for myself, my family haven't a single comfort more than they had before." "Though there's no disputing the fact that they would have many less comforts if you hadn't signed the pledge?" "No, I suppose not. But I cannot help feeling discouraged at the way things go. If I had the same wages I received before I signed the pledge, I could be laying up money. But, as it is, it requires the utmost economy to keep from getting in debt." "Still, you do manage to keep even?" "Yes." "On about half your former income?" "A little over half. I used to get ten dollars a week. Now I manage, by picking up odd jobs here and there, to make about six." "Then you are better off than you were before." "I hardly see how you can make that out." "Your family have enough to live upon--all they had before--and you have a healthier body, a calmer mind, and a clearer conscience. Isn't here something gained?" "I rather think there is," replied Gordon, smiling. "And I rather think you are a good deal better off than you were before. Isn't your wife happier?" "O! yes. She's as cheerful as a lark all the day." "And doesn't murmur because of your light wages?" "No, indeed! not she. I believe if I didn't earn more than three dollars a week, and kept sober, she would make it do, somehow or other, and keep a good heart. It's wonderful how much she is changed!" "And yet you are no better off? Ain't you better off in having a happy wife and a pleasant home, what I am sure you hadn't before?"