She opened it, read a few words, and, bursting into tears, turned and went quickly from the room.

Hers were tears of joy--unutterable joy.
Was it then a title-deed of property that her husband had given her, filling her heart with gladness at the thought of relief from toil, and privation, and suffering?
No, it was better than that, and brought a fuller and more perfect joy.

It was a _New Year's gift_ such as she had never dared hope to receive--the dearest gift in the power of her husband to bestow.

Already blotted with tears, it was tightly pressed to her heaving bosom.
What was it?
What could it be but the blessed temperance pledge, signed, in a firm hand, with her husband's name.
That was indeed a happy New Year's day to the wife and mother, who, when the morning dawned, felt that she was entering upon the darkest days of her troubled existence.

But a brighter day unknown was breaking.