Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-03-08
From The Mothers Assistant.
THE SLEIGH RIDE.

Mary Lee returned TO her fathers house
after a two years. residence with her uncle
Kent. Peculiar circumstances alone had in
duced her parents 10 allow this long absence
from the paternal roof, and joyfuIly was
their eldest born welcomed back again TO
the warm and loving sympaihies Of home.
With secret sulicitude did they watch the
development of her character, to learn if
the Mary who went out from them was the
same Mary who had returned to them. 1t
was no. the child Mary now; taller Mary,
maturer in manner, aud more beautiful in
person. The little children were quite
overjoyed Charley declared he never saw
any one who could play cat's-cradle with
him so well and as for arithmetic, "why a
queen conld not explain his sums to him
better than Mary did" Alice played with
her long curls, and said she had almost for
gotten she had such sister; and Robert
was glad he had somebody TO gallant about.
For the irst week or so, Mary was regarded
something in the light of visitor BY and
by she began to take her appropriate place
in the family circle, and bear the burden of
family duty. Then the rose-lints which in
vested Mary, as they do every one whom we
view through the medium of our own joyful
feelings alone, began 10 fade away, and her
parents we're enabled 10 see the real lights
\ and shades Of her character They reioic-
ed to behold much which was true, and
excellent, and lovely in her principles and
her Practice One defect soon appear
ed, which threatened some unhappuess in
the happy home, but it was a defect of edu-
cation, and needed to be removed less by
direct precept, or formal lecture, than by en-
aiding her TO correct her own false jndg-
ment by more enlarged views Of real life
Mary was secretly dissatisfied with her own
home. Small it certainly was compared
with her uncle's; and she yearned for the
elegant and expensive furniture, for the cost
ly decorations and thousand luxuries which
, she had been accustomed to see and to en-
f Joy there.
80, father, why don't You have the large
J open stove like uncIe'si II is so much
} pleasanier; this black, air-tight stove will
make US blue all winter"
Because | cannot afford il, my dear, y
: answered her father mildly.
"Why we thought il was beauty" ex.
claimed Charley "but declare it is awful.
! ly black looking, as Mary says. o, father,
: don't believe we shall enjoy il half SC
, much as We expected to !" and Charley's adj
miration of the air-light altogether subsid
ed
, "Mother, these Aag-botioms are very un.
: fashionable. really cannot bear the sight
: Of them Why, every body has mahogany
J chairs nowadays. Iwish you could see un,
cles r aud uncle's chairs we're so often al
luded to. that 'oId flag-bottom," henceforti
became the cognomen Of parlor chair.
"Why, sister, you don't look pleasant,
: exclaimed Alice, as Mary entered The break
fast-room one cold. frosty morning 81 CUES.
} you slept cold last night"
"My feet are frozen" answered Mary
, pettshly; Eat uncle's, my chamber was car
S peted, and do miss il so. Father, carpets
S are very cheap. should think you wouls
carpet the chambers am sure, dom
. know how shall get through the winter,
7 said Mary, in low, querulous tone.
: 20 yes. father, carpet mine," exclaimed
e Charley, who was never slow TO receive Ma
I RVS impressions. "John Emery's chambe
is such beauty Is has got beautiful
9 carpet, and oh. father, my feet are so cold
d too !" and he Tapped his wel-booted feet owe
e each other with shiyering air.
S "Shovel nice new path at the side door
! Charley" said his mother, brightly, "ther
is plenty oil beautiful sunshine, which, witt
g plenty OF exercise with your new shovel
e will make you as warm as WOO" Charlie
e did not exhibit his usual aacrity, and still
y seemed to think he should like carpet best
!, and, as il was TO him quite new idea, h
: appeared 10th to give il up
+ There are few things more disheartenin
to father or husband, who, after striving i
do all he can prndcnfiy do, to make hi
r home pleasant and comfortable, hears de
preciating comparisons, aud behods con
i slant hankering in wife or child after oh
4 jecis which he knows he cannot afford.
The sunshine Of contented hearts becom
clouded, while people, instead of bein
= thankful for what blessings they do have
i pine for what is beyond them.
], On day, when Mary had been moanin
d over her questionable cloak, pretty and be
s coming as il was. her father returned HON
in the forenoon, and asked her to ride wit
: him few miles from town. She gladly &C
e cepted the proposal, although she did no
Il know as her ''hood was fiji to wear" espe
Il cialy as her father suggested he Nigh
. make call somewhere.
e Ii was a beautiful January day. TIL
J, fields lay covered with unrodden snow
The twigs and bows reflected sparklin!
radiance from their frosty crust The al
IS seemed filed with thousand brillants, an,
r the deep, cold stiffness OF the country wa
!, only broken by the dropping icicle, or III
Q distant sleigh bell Mary was much exhile
rated both by the magni6cence Of the snow
scene and her fafher,s nleasanf conversation