The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-03-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Mothers Assistant.
che sleigh ktof.
Br MRS. HELEN c. KNIGHT.

! duced her parents to allow this long absence
from the parental roof, and joyfully was their
| eldest born welcomed back again to the warm
and loving sympathies of home. With Sc
cret solicitude did they watch the develop
ment of her character TO learn if the Mary
who went out from them was the same Mary
| who had returned to them. 1t was not the
| child Mary now; a taller Mary, maturer in
| manner, and more beautiful in person. The
little children were quite oyerjoyed. Charley
declared he never saw any one who could
play cat's-cradle with him so well ; and as Tor
| arithmetic, why, queen could not explain
his sums to him better than Mary did, Alice
| played with her long curls, and said she had
almost forgotten she had such sister; and
Robert was glad he had somebody to gallant
| about. For the flst 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 bur-
den of family duty. Then the rose-tints
| which invested Mary, as they do every one
whom we view through the medium of our
own joyful feelings alone, began to fade away,
and her parents were enabled to see the real
| lights and shades of her chararter. They re-
joiced to behold much that was true, and ex-
cellent, and lovely in her principles and her
practice. One defect soon appeared, which
threatened some unhappiness in the happy
home, but it was defect of education, and
needed to be removed less by direct precept,
or formal lecture, than by enabling her to
correct her own false judgment by more en-
| larged views of real life. Mary was secretly
dissatisfied with her home. Small it certain
ly was compared with her uncle's and she
yearned for the elegant and expensive furni-
ture, for the costly decorations and thousand
Injuries which she had been accustomed to
see and TO enjoy there.
| 90, father, why don't you have the large
| open stove like uncle'sl 1t is so much pleas
anter: this black, air-tight stove will make
us blue all winter
Because | cannot afford it my DEAR an
swered her father, mildly.
| why thought it was beauty exclaim-
ed Charley; but declare it is awful black
! looking, as Mary says. o, father, don't be-
ieve We shall enjoy it half as much as we ex-
| pected to- and Charley's admiration of the
air-tight altogether subsidized.
! Mother, these fag-bottoms are very I'M
! fashionable. | really cannot bear the sight
of them. Why, every body has mahogany
chairs nowadays. l wish you could see
uncle'sn and uncle's chairs were SO often al
| luded to, that old flag-bottom,' henceforth
became the cognomen of parlor chair.
| why sister, you don't look pleasant ex-
claimed Alice, as Mary entered the breakfast
room one cold frosty morning; Il guess you
slept cold last night
My feet are frozen answered Mary, pet
tishly; at uncle's my chamber was carpeted,
and do miss itso. Father, carpets are very
cheap. | should think you would carpet the
chambers. | am sure, / don't know how
shall get through the winter said Mary, in
a low, querulous tone.
% yes, father carpet mine," exclaimed
Charles, who was never slow to receive Ma
rvs impressions. John Emery's chamber
is such beauty. 1t has got a beautiful car
pet, and oh father, my feet are so cold too;'
and he Tapped his well-booted feet over each
other with shivering air.
Shovel a nice new path at the side door,
Charley said his mother, brightly, there is
plenty of exercise with your new shovel, will
make you as warm as WOOL Charley did
not exhibit his usual alacrty, and still SEEM
ed to think he should like carpet best, and
as it was to him quite a new idea, he appear
ed 10th to give up.
There are few things more disheartening to
father or a husband, who, after striving to
do all he can prudently do, TO make his home
pleasant and comfortable, hears depreciating
comparisons, and behold constant banker
ing in a wife or child after objects which he
knows he cannot afford
The sunshine of contented hearts become
clouded while people, instead of being thank
full for what blessings they do have, pine for
what is beyond them.
On day, when Mary had been moaning
over her questionable cloak, pretty and be-
! l.. 4,
in the forenoon, and asked her TO ride with
him few miles from town. She gladly ac-
cepted the proposal, although she did not
know as her hood was fit TO wear especial
" as her father suggested he might make
call somewhere.
1t was a beautiful January day. The fields
lay covered with pure, untrOdden snow. The
twigs and boughs reflected sparkling radi-
( fi,, from their frosty crust. The air seemed
lied with thousand brilliants, and the deep
cold stiffness of the country was broken by
the dropping icicle, or the distant sleigh bell.
Mary was much exhilerated both by the mag
nifcence of the snow-scene and her fathers
pleasant conversation. They rode along up
on the beaten path, when he attempted to
force his way into a cross and almost untrod-
den track. They diverged from snow-bank
here only to plunge into another there. %,
father, where are we going 2 exclaimed Ma
ry.
ITO call at friends house, answered her
father and as they rode on, Mary discovered
| a roof and chimney on slope not very far
| off.
why, father! it's hut you are going to-
The strong horse found some difficulty in ma
king his way from the main path toward the
house. They reached the door. The steps
were unshovelled. The snow had been soil
ed by no human step, and no signs of active
life were visible since the storm. i am sure
nobody lives here said Mary, as her father
Jumped out of the sleigh, and making path
with his feet, lifted the latch of the door. He
entered and disappeared for few minutes.
is This the call father meant to make
thought Mary, surveying the building. The
next moment he was by her side. Come,
Mary, let me take you in my arms child, and
carry you in the snow is pretty Deep
How funny, father!' said Mary, laughing
1 c..I III Il,