The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-02-18

| OuIS lOUhcu ~ ''S ~ W
said:
Il would have yor act your pleasure with regard
to accepting this invitation,
1t will be my pleasure, said Julia hesn,ing and
coloring little iii will be my pleasure to consult
yours
Il have little choice about it, said Mr. We5,bury
and if you prefer declining to accept II, would
have you do So.
Shall you attend IN asked Julia while Il shade
of anxiety passed over her features.
Certainly 10, un!es you do Mr. Wesibury re-
piled.
Then said Julia, 'ifil be quite as agreeable 10
you | had a thousand times rather spend It nt
home alone wi,h'-she checked herself, colored
crimson, and left he seniancc unfinished.
The morning after the eyec, Mrs Wes1bury
was favored with another call from Mrs Cunning
hum.
why, on earth were you not at Mrs-'s last
night" asked she almost rs soon as she entered the
house, you cun Imagine nothing more splendid
and dtlightfu! than every thing was
you were there thon?' said Julia.
yes, cer,ainly --though went quite late. Ed
ward was sick with violent headache, and was
obliged 10 see him safely in bed before could 90;
but nothing would have tempted me to miss it,
'iiow is MIR Cunningham this morning. enquir-
cd Julia
Much beter-though rather langud, as is usual
after such an attack. But came in on an errand
this morning, aud must despatch business, as am
somewhat in haste. Mrs Nj, is 10 givea SPLEEN
did party next week; by the way have you receiv-
ed Il card yei?'
Il have not, said Julia.
Neither have but we both shall. want to
prepare dress for the occasion, and come in to
look ut one You wore at Mrs Parker's, us ! think
ofhaying something like it,
Mrs WcSlbary was about to ring the bell, and
have the dress brought to her visitors inspection,
but Mrs Cunningham stopped her by saying,
NO, no--do nol send Tor it, Let me go with
you to your wardrobe, may see something else
that like
Mrs Wcsibury compiled and they went up stairs
together. Mrs Cunningham was delightfully."- flee
in examining The articles exposed to her view, and
expressed such IN ardent desire to possess the like
that it WAS rather difficult TO iolbeor telling her that
they were at her service. The bloEd muntlc, with
blue border, struck her fancy particularly, aud
Mrs Weslbury begged her 10 accept ii saying that
she should probably never wear it again, as the
colo: was not Il iaYolilc with her husband
Mis- Cunningham husteHpd home delighted with
her acquisition and immediately FASTENED to the
chamber, to which her husband was sill confined
BY indi,poslon, to display to him her prize
See what beautiful little affair that dear Mrs
Wcslbury has given me- she cried. How luck,
for ne That Nlf Wcslbury don't like blue, else
should not have got it, suppose, though she could
spare this, unl hliy Others as well us not, WHY,
Edward, you don't know what Il delightful ward
robe she has Really, you must indulge nc it
tic in thu, way, believe
'ium sure no one looks better dressed than your
self, Lucy,' sud Mr. Cunningham, in u languid
voice.
'O,i try to make the most of every Thing have,
said Mrs Cunningham 'Lut really, Edward, Mrs
Weslbugy hos twice Us much ofa sorts Of up-
p0Tei Us have
'Anh her hashanl has more than rlur times as
much property as | have, answered Mr. Cunning
ham.
Surprising he has, ,aid his wife, lha, need not
make no difference in the article Of dress AID
then her house is so churmngly furnished -evcry
part of it. ! was in hes chamber, just now, and it
ool; elegantly, Everything in i, IS Of the richest
and most beautiful! kind. declare almost enNi-
cd her S, many luXuries,'
'Wc surely have everything necessary 10 comfort
my dear I.ucy,' said Mr. Cunningham, 'Our hap
piness does not depend on The spendur Of ouI fur
nilute, but on our affection Tor each other. You
would be no deaIer TO my heart, in The paraphcrna
liza of duchess. dlamcns and all, Than You are in
your simple morning dress: and hope you do not
love ne lie less for no, being able 10 furnish my
house in the style Of Air Wesbury's
% no--of course not, said Ms Cunningham, in
a tone utterly devoid Of all tenderness or feeling;
but then Should hot love You the less for having
beautiful things, suppose. And really, Edward
| think one Of the best ways in which II husband
can show his love 10 lis wife, is by gratifying her
in dress, furniture, company, and so forth
lie must ruin himself then 10 show his love,
said Mr. Cunningham, throwing his head back ON
the c0sy-cliar, with Il mingled expression Of men
ial and bodily pain on his features.
Mrs Cunningham, however did not look up to
mark The expression of his countcnance, bu, half
multcred in reply TO his rcmnh--
j never knew man who was too slingY to dress
bis wife decenty, fail 10 excuse himself on the
ground Of necessity. How do de,cst TO hear n
man talk Of ruin, if his wife only asks for new
pair Of shoes!
ir Cunningham was Too deeply wounded TO al
tempt a reply; and Mrs Cunningham, having VEN
ted something Of her discomfort in this gentle ebu-
iiiion, fried out of the chamber, without even
casting glance toward her sick and now afflicted
husband.
In due tine, Mrs rs invitation was re-
ceyed, and this II was Mr. Wcslburys wish that
julia should accept. Without naEiinsng the leas;
reluctance she consented, ard Mr. w. went so Ear
as 10 thank her for hei cheerful cou paucc with his
wishes. This wnsn very silent courtesy but there
was something in Mr. Wcslbury's voice when he
spoke, that went straight 10 Julia's heart, and size
left the room 10 conceal the strong emotion excited
by so ycrv trivial Il cause 'Shc certainly strives
to please me, be the motive What it may thought
Mr. Wcsibury, when iefI alone aud though can
not love hci, honor-uay, gratitude demands that
make her AS hanpy Is circumstances will allow
lie took pen, ana hastily wiring few lines, en-
closed bam!; Eoc Of considerable yaIue and left
HE iiIIe packet on her work table, iha, she might
see il as a. she returned lie then left The house
When Julia resumed her seal by her table, the
packet was the first thing That attracted her notice
She hastily opened it, ard read as loows
AS alrs. Westhury Is too delicate and reserved
ever 10 make known a want, she may have many
which ire nnihonght Of by hin who is bound to
supply than. VIII she receive the enclosed, moi
gill; bnt AZ her right Perhaps new dress
may be wanted for rs levee; if not the enclosed
can be appropriated 10 the calls If bcncyolencc, TO
I,rh r. norlI save Mira Wnstl,urv'l oar !, o,,.