Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-04-25

can afford so many luXurles I!
20, he is in Just the same line of business
that you are, my dear; but then he is so liberal
to Catharine, he lets her lay out just what she
likes upon the house and upon herself. Indeed
the says he is never better pleased than when
she is richly dressed. She is a fine, handsome
woman, you know, and he is proud Of her
'Ah, thought that would be- the next thing,
Mrs. Duncan interposed her husband with
smile, which savored a little of pique 'have
You not now indirectly implied that Mr.. Pea
cock is more liberal TO his wife than am to
mine, and that, because am not fond of finery,
ain mean and ungenerous towards you {?
Il never intended to imply any such thing
cried Mrs. Duncan and she was sincere in the
declaration, for she had not the sense to see the
apparent drift of her own observation indeed,
her thoughts were full of something else-a
something she felt she must not divulge at
present, lest it should be unfavorably received.
The tea was by this time made; the mullins
and toast placed before the fire and Mrs. Dun
can, with her own good tempered smiles. handed
cup of the former to her husband and invited
him to take which was most agreeable to his
taste from the latter; observing that it was a
cold evening She was sure lie must be hun
gry after his walk, and that she was sorry she
had not had it, as usual, ready for him when
he came in.
The social meal, the cheerful fire, and, above
all, the happy mood in which his wife appeared
to be, all had their influence in soothing the
perturbed feelings of Mr.. Duncan, and the dis
appointment of the day was almost forgotten.
Mrs. Duncan proceeded to descant further on
the beauty of her friends residence, adding that
she had requested her to favor her with visit on
the morrow, but Mrs. Peacock was some days
| / all
not promise to come until the next week. She
was really glad, she said, of the delay, since it
would give her and Sally time to put every
thing in order, and she really must have few
little articles new in the drawing room; one
thing was indispensable, and that was some
new wiudow-curtains; those old, fawn-colored
moreen curtains were actually dropping TO
pieces with age; they would not bear another
brushing. She had that day seen some beau
.ilul crimson damask, very cheap, which would
set off her room SO nicely; and she and Sally
could make it up without any additional eX-
pense. She had particularly noticed how Mrs.
Peacock's drawing-roOm curtains were arrang-
ed she would like to have hers made Just like
them ; no doubt they were the newest fashion.
She concluded with saying she was sure her
dear William would not refuse her such tri-
tle, when it would make her so happy, more
especially as it was not often she asked for any
thing that was expensive.
1t was trying moment for Mr.. Duncan
| He loved his wife dearly, and he wished to
please her She had spoken the truth in say
ing it was not often that she asked for any thing
expensive he had hitherto thought her of a
very contened disposition; but then the loss
he had that day felt ought TO induce him to
curtail his expenses instead of adding even
only few pounds to them. Affection how
ever, trumphed; he could not summon firm
ness to refuse her, though he felt it was his
duty; lie had not courage to damp her spirits
by relation of the events the last few hours,
and he gave his consent to the damask curtains
being bought and put the necessary funds into
Mrs. Duncan's hands for the purchase.
The next morning the lady and her maid
were very busy, having what the latter called a
horough-rou; but Sally was always willing
to do any thing that her master or mistress
wished yet she could not help thinking that
some very grand person was excepted, to cause
such great preparations. The damask cur
tains were bought made. and put up by the
uphols,erer; but Mrs. Duncan could have
wept with veXalion when it was done, to dis
cover that so far from ornamenting her draw
ing room they made it look worse than before
there was much discrepancy between their
rich hue and bright gold bordering and the rest
of the furniture, especially the well-worn
Brussels carpet the flowers OF which were
woiully faded st would never do she said,
to admit Mrs. Peacock (whose eve was So
used to things in character) to room like
this; she must have new carpet; she would
venture to order it now the uphosterer's young
man was on the spot she could pay him at
any time she was sure he was not afraid to
trust her, and she would economise in her
house to make up the sum her husband should
not be the loser This settled, she gave the
order for a carpet to match the hangngs the
measure of the room was taken at once, the
following morning it was laid down. 1t oc-
Cured, however, to Mrs. Duncan before the
day was over that the new carpet would want
new hearth-rug, the one now in use was so
very dingy; and hearth rug was accordingly
ordered but sad to relate, there was still an
article of furniture in the room, which, after
all, spoiled the w,ole, and that was sofa with
fawn-colored moreen cover which had pre-
vlously matched the curtains, but which now
looked deplorably mean. Her invention was
on the rack could she remove it into the par
lor No, that would not do, for it hid large
space of the wall where the paper was dis
colored. The only way was to have some
| more ddmdsK ike Tue curtains 10 cover IL anew
with and this was done. Poor Sally had to
work very hard to get it completed by Satur-
night, and as it was possible the visitor might
come on the Monday, Mrs. Duncan thought
that the latest time she could allow her.
Mr.. Duncan was a man who cared little for
outward show he WAS rather solicitous to
have his home comfortable than ornamental
lie therefore made no enquiries about the
damask curtains, and scarcely thought of them,
till, on the morning of the Sunday after return
ing from church, he by chance entered the
drawing-room. lie actually started with
amazement at the transformation, and turning
| to his wife, VINO had followed his steps with
palpitating heart, gave her a look which de-
manded an explanation.
Mrs. Duncan's cheek was flushed, but she
attempted to smile away her confusion. Il
hope you like my choice, dear William 2 she
said with assumed gaety; but perceiving the
shade upon his countenance, she quickly
added Il trust you will forgive me for going
little beyond your permission, but the carpet
and sofa looked so very mean when the cur
tains were put up, that do assure you they