It is a sad thing, after the lapse of twenty years, to find
ourselves amid ruined hopes;--to sit down with folded hands and say,
"Thus far life has been a failure!" Yet, to how many is this the
wretched summing up at the end of a single score of years from the
time that reason takes the helm! Alas! that so few, who start wrong,
ever succeed in finding the right way; life proving, even to its
last burdened years, a miserable failure!
TWENTY YEARS AGO, AND NOW.
CHAPTER I.
THE rain had poured in torrents all day, and now, for the third time
since morning, I came home, wet, uncomfortable and weary. I half
dreaded to look at the slate, lest some urgent call should stare me
in the face.
"It must indeed be a case of life and death, that takes me out again
to-night," said I, as my good wife met me in the entry, and with
light hands, made active by love, assisted in the removal of my
great coat and comforter.
"Now come into the sitting-room," she said, "your slippers are on
the rug, and your dressing-gown warmed and waiting. Tea is ready,
and will be on the table by the time you feel a little comfortable.
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