Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-01-28
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

by Saturday night, as it vas Pos.ib!o II: visitor
might come on Monday, Mrs. Duncan thought
that the latest time she could allow her
Mr.. Duncan was man who cared little for
outward show he was rather solictous to see
his home comfortable than ornamental. He
therefore made no more inquiries about the dam
ask curtains, and scarcely thought Of them till,
on the morning of the Sunday after returning
from church, he by chance entered the drawing
room. He actually started with amazement at
the transformation, and turning to his wife, who
had followed his footsteps with palpltating
heart gave her look which demanded an ex-
PLANTATION.
Mrs. Duncan's cheek was flushed but she
attempted to smile away her confusion. 81 hope
you like my choice, dear William" she said,
with assumed gaiety; but perceiving the shade
upon his counenance, she quickly added 81
trust you will forgive me for going little be-
yond your permission, but the carpet and the So
ia looked so very mean when the curtains were
put up, that do assure you they could not be
suffered to remain"
But where did you get the money for these
additional purchases" asked her husband.
"Oh, never mind that, my dear, | will not
hask you for it" she returned, laughlngly.
Have you contracted debt" he further
inquired, still maintaining serious aspect.
81 do owe the upholsterer for Them she
faItered, "but shall save the sum they cost in
my housekeeping; SO you need not trouble your
self about paying it"
81 shall call and pay tomorrow morning"
Mr. Duncan returned; ''you know never allow
debt to be contracted, nor do | wish that the
comforts of our house should be curtailed for
new carpet. However we will drop the
subject now; this is an improper day for such
discussion" and he closed the door as he
spoke.
The morrow came, and with it came the ex-
pected visitor; but poor Mrs. Duncan felt no
pleasure i'll receiving her; her thoughts were
full OF her husbands displeasure, which (though
nothing more was said than has been stately
lpreyed upon her mind, and caused her much I'M
happiness. Her troubles, however, had common
ced Mrs. Peacock with the Wanting spirit
common to vulgar mnds) descanted at large on
the immense sums she had laid out in furnishing
her new house, making every now and Their re-
marks, meant to be, though not apparently de-
rogatory, upon the residence of her friend
There was no "reminiscences Of her glrlhood, as
Mrs Duncan had anticipated; indeed Mrs. Pea
cock wished to forget what she had been, and
impress her hostess with profound respect for
what she now was. Mrs. Duncan listened
she could, Oh the present occasion, do very little
more than isten-though she was not wont tC
take that part only; Mrs. Peacock talked so fast
and so loud, that no other voice could be heard
ION her departure she expressed hope that Mr.
Duncan would accompany her on her next visit
She was sure, she said, that Mr. Peacock woult
be pleased to see the husband of her early friend
, and she hoped the visit would be soon for she
; bad some beautiful new purchases to show her.
Mrs Duncan burst into passion of tears th'
moment her guest left the house Her pent-uI
! feelings could find no other vent, and she wep
long and violently. Had she questioned hersel
as to the cause Of her grief she would have
been at a loss to explain it, even to herself Du
she felt her pride and her feelings wounded
I and she was dissatisfied with herself, wit
/ her friend, with her home, and with her hu.
band.
1t was nearly week subsequent to the Wis
Y Of the purse-proud citizens wife, that Mrs. Dur
can, just after her husbands departure for bus
$ forming her that legacy to the amount of $50
e had been bequeathed to her, adding that, if sh
? called upon the senior partner in the firm {
+ Messrs. Bind Co., bankers who was tn
executor to the estate,) the money would be pal
Immediately
What revulsion Of feeling took place in tn
e bosom OF Mrs. Duncan, at this intelligence
e Was she, then, the owner Of SO large sum il
t dependent of her husband! A fortnight ag
S she would have thought how it would assist hil
y in his business, but now her first idea was th
d it would enable her to vie with Mrs. Peacoc
S in the furniture of her house. A desire fn
o Injuries once knded in the breast is not eas
d extingushed; and Mrs. Duncan's weak mind ha
e dwelt npon her deficiencies so long, that she ha
n considered herself first an unfortunate, and the
|
( be, she thought, to be able to order what 81
y liked, without hazardng giving offence to he
husband, as Mrs. Peacock appeared to do. b.
e now the acquisition of this legacy would, sh
: believed, make her really happy, for she imag
o ined that she had right to dispose of it as sh
i pleased.
y With a beating heart she Immediately equiv
It ped herself and bent her steps to the bankin
t, house to which she had been directed; but upo
i her arrival she found the business was not quit
is so easily performed as she had anticipated
g The senior partner was so seriously i'll, that II
n affairs of that nature could be settled; she W;
n told, however, that there was no doubt Of tn
J. money being duly paid in the course of a fe,
e weeks
b Mrs. Duncan was Disappointed her fertile il
d ventions formed plan to obviate, as she though
% the difficulty arising from The delay; as the MOI
5; ey was sure, there could be no danger, she in
e agined. in giving the orders for some of the a