The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-08

lost heavy sums at the gaming tableE'
But chimed in Miss Greenwood, what is 10
become of poor Mrs. M? she will have 10 lo"er
her pretensions, I'm thinking
AFTER all, it is no great pity observer NIs'
Marshall | could never see what there was III
her. more than in any other folks, that every one
should 20 mad about Mrs. MS good taste, and
Mrs MS good temper, and Mrs. MS SURPRISING
abilities. Trust me, that when 1t IS known that
Mrs M. is poor, she will be no more cour'eo
than any OF u.s.
This very charitable tete-a-tete was interrupt
ed bv the arrival of another vsitor-Mrs. Bell.
She had more genuine kindness in her nature,
and heard of Mr.. MS misfortunes with unfeigh-
ed regret, not excepting his habits OF dissipation
and the 81, questions of wanton extravaganza on
the part of Mrs. M. Il havebeen frequent Wis
itor at their house, said Mrs. Bell, mt ell hours
and have thought their domestic arrangements
among the best have ever seen; and l have
looked upon them as patterns of conJngal happl-
ness
After few minutes in miscellaneous CONVEX
saton, Mrs. Bell apologized for her short stay,
saving that as she had just heard OF Mrs MS
misfortunes, she felt inexcusabe in appearing to
neglect her-at time, too, when her mind must
be exceedingly sensitive OH The SUBJECT
Just like vourself,' said Mrs. Marshall, and
by your leave will bear you company-lor really
am quite curious to know how she carries her-
self ut present.
| And 100, Sulu MlSS NICCh"oo'' az e'S
morning is fine, will be of your pnrty.'
We will not scan more ninutelJ the motives
which severally prompted the trio ms they started
together to call on Mrs. M. They found her at
home, dressed neatly but plainly, and were re-
ce,yed with so much politeness and cheeriulness,
and she conversed with so much atiabIlity and
even yiyacty that Mrs. Marshall and Miss Green
wood often exchanged chances, much as to
say Poor thing she either does not know her
husbands condition, or hopes to conceal it, Not
so. Mrs. Bell; as the others rose to depart, she
excused herself for remaining 10y the remark that
ms Mrs NJ. was fortunately alone and not having
anv particular engagement she would spend the
day with her.
| This was most welcome communication to
Helen for she felt that the judgment and eXpe
rience of Mrs Bell would materially aid her in
mainraing her private plans for the future. To
her therefore she made plain and candid state
rnent of their circumstances; adding that though
Mr.. M. hoped, by giving up all his effects 10 sat
isfy all Just demands, yet there would be but
tender pit,ance left, and that considerable time
must eapse before he could be again engaged in
any profitable business.
And now my dear friend, continued Mrs nj.
| 6 am going to communicate little plan OF my
own, which, in Mr.. Ms present goaded state OF
feeling, have deemed best not to communicate
to him: for he is not yet sufficiently reconciled
to his condition to think calmly of my submit
ting TO any exertion for livelihood. But why
not? know of no laws of equity which fixes a
stigma on any effort wife can make, however
severely the husbands ingenuity may be taxed.
Briefly, then, have thought OF turning to some
account those accomplishments which some have
thought proper to complinentme on possessing.
think could be content in small house IN u
less expensive part of the town, anu that besides
attending to our little domestic duties, could
| find leasure to instruct few young LADIES III mu-
sic and drawing. And must throw myself up
on the generosity of my friends for patronage
Mrs. Bell seconded the views of her friend,
and promised to use the utmost of her Influence
| in her behalf
| .., CHAPTER III.
II was pleasant morning in the month of
June, when Mrs. Bells carriage drove up to a
small but genteel looking house in the upper part
of the city, and having alighted gave orders to
the coachman not to call for her until evening.
| She was shown into neat parlor where a
| genteel and happy looking woman was engaged
with group of young ladies, whom she was IN
structng in some elegant fancy work: but as the
lesson seemed nearly concluding, she begged she
might not be interrupted and gently seated her
self on the sofa, took easure survey OF the scene
around her. The apartment to some would have
seemed plainly furnished, but yet there was such
an air of ee gance and refinement throughout that
it puzzled her to think of any thing lacking
Then there was such display of neatness and
order i'm the arrangement that at once suggested
TO the NINA the 1uea OF comfort
Mrs. M.-for she was the lady OF the mansion
soon dismissed her little company, and prepar-
ed to entertain her guest with the same cheer
tulness and urbanity which had distinguished
her most prosperous days. will not say she
felt more happy. but it was evident the pleasing
consciousness of performing her duty and lessen
ing the cares of a husband, deservedly dear to
her. more than counerbalanced the trouble of
performing it. She was one who did not place
her dignity in the mere equipage of wealth and
it would not have been less conspicuous even in
the most ahect poverty
AS the dinner hour approached, Mrs. M. apol-
ogized in playful manner that her domestic es,
adjustment was not extensive. But little did
her friend imagine, when the well dressed dinner
appeared together with the neatly alfred and ell,
egant hostess, that single servant constituted
her whole establishment At dinner Mr.. M. APP
peared-nut the detected, broken spirited man,
but the happy husband and farther, whose home
was of all places the one happy place for him 1t