y, or,
rather, a part of the family of Henry Ellis. Two members were absent,
the father and the oldest boy. The room was small, and meagerly
furnished, though every thing was clean and in order. In the centre of
the floor, extending, perhaps, over half thereof, was a piece of faded
carpet. On this a square, unpainted pine table stood, covered with a
clean cloth and a few dishes. Six common wooden chairs, one or two low
stools or benches, a stained work-stand without drawers, and a few
other necessary articles, including a bed in one corner, completed the
furniture of this apartment, which was used as kitchen and sitting-room
by the family, and, with a small room adjoining, constituted the entire
household facilities of the family.

"Henry is late this evening," remarked Mrs. Ellis, as she laid the last
piece of toast she had been making on the dish standing near the fire.
"He ought to have been here half an hour ago."

"And father is late too," said Kate, the oldest daughter, who was
engaged with the fretful child.

"Yes--he is late," returned Mrs. Ellis, as if speaking to herself. And
she sighed heavily.

Just then the sound of feet was heard in the passage without.

"There's Henry now," said Kate.

And in a moment after the boy entered. His face did not wear the
cheerful expression with which he usually met the waiting ones at home.
His mother noticed the change; but asked no question then as to the
cause.

"I wish father was home," said Mrs. Ellis. "Supper is all ready."

"I don't think it's any use to wait for him," returned Henry.

"Why not?" asked the mother, looking with some surprise at her son, in
whose voice was a covert meaning.

"Because he won't be home to supper."

"Have you seen him, Henry?"

Mrs. Ellis fixed her eyes earnestly upon her son.

"Yes, mother. I saw him go into a tavern as I was coming along. I went
in and tried to persuade him to come home with me. But he was angry
about something, and told me to go about my business. I then said--'Do,
father, come home with me,' and took hold of his arm, when he turned
quickly around, and slapped me in the face with the back of his hand."

The boy, on saying this, burst into tears, and sobbed for some time
violently.

"Oh, Henry! did he do that?"

Such was the mother's exclamation. She tried to control her feelings,
but could not. In a moment or two, tears gushed over her face.

The only one who appeared calm was Kate, Henry's oldest s