Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-07-25
MY FIRST PARLoR.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENlsox.

pretty little cottage, forty years ago,
which was soon to call my own.
| The old homestead, where l had frol-
lcked in gleesome childhood, with its We
nerable mantle of moss, and its antique
form, was but little distance away, and
| could look from the chamber of the cot
tage into the tidy farm yard. and hear
the plantive lowing of dear old Brindle,
my pet COW. True could not see the
sweet face Of my mother. nor the sterner
countenance of father, at every hour OF
the day; yet it was but a bit across, and
few moments walk would carry me
there.
With all its homo associations, there
was nothing in it half so pretty as in my
little world of cottage.
The exterior, too, was very beautiful
in my eyes first, there was " neat little
fence all around it, long path, lined with
rose bushes. leading to it, IL sweet garden
spot, and behind it meadow, fresh and
extensive.
The cottage itself was painted the
purest white, and the blinds the greenest
green.
knew nothing Of its interior previ US
to the week in which we we're married.
and dear William, (not Il bit the less dear
now, intended to surprise me so when
entered to inspect the whitewashed
walls, and polished floors. 10 and behold.
it was furnished throug hout.l A pretty
little Yankee clock. all gilded and shining
in the bright sunlight, greeted my vision
first. 1t stood just opposite the fire. place.
and over brightly vanished oaken Ia
BILE. Clean, new yellow chairs around
the sides Of the room. a little cup board
near the shining hearth. and pair of Tiny
andirons. with their little black dog faces
looking straight at US. nude me laugh
outright with pleasure.
Aud this, be il remembered, kind rea>
der, was our best. our very best room F; a
happier, or pr0uder little mai1en than this
very self. as thought this TO be mine,
my own home
The kitchen, although furnished with
less costly materials. was furnished the
same, except that in one corner was an
army of Furnished pans, kettles, pals,
and so forth. Under the shelves, long
line Of new wooden tubs, and all things
essential to II good house keepers CONS
fort. They spoke loudly of scaldiny suds.
heaps Of unwAshed linens, clothes pins and
lines, red fingers, clustering winds and
free zing cold days. bat WAS not afraid
of them, for had been educated by pa
rents industrious and economical, who
never forgot that soul and body were uni>
ted, and therefore were to be educated to-
gethcr.
But have dweIt long enough on mi
mute particulars suffice it TO say, that
the whole cottage was tasteful aud neat
without and within. perfect little nest OF
comfort.
Well. we were married time sped on.
shook his trembling finger at US, but
touched us gently. Our hearts grew more
united. my William was temperate and
frugal. and we prospered.
BY and by letter came to US from re-
Iatives whom we never expected to be-
,, hold the first we had ever received from
them, stating that they were tired OF a
city residence also, their wish that we
would look out for large aud convenient
cottage. as they should remove thither
the next spring.
For the first time, my cottage, my best
room, in fact everything looked too small;
and my furniture had u thin coating OF
meanuess. l had often heard from my
uncle who visited them when he went to
the city, that they were wealthy, living
superbly, and everything about them on a
grand scale.
The cottage was selected new and
beautiful one, situated on q gentle decli,
witty, surrounded by lovely orchards, at a
! lItfIn distance from
terfall, and in the rear of rich grounds,
which with cultivation might become a
fragrant and delightful garden.
They came; or rather the lady with her
children and furniture came first, and in a
week after her arrival, were settled in
their new home. Never shall forget the
morning, when made ready to receive
her first visit. Everything, however
clean and shining. it might be, required
a second and thorough scrubbing or rub
bing. Baby was taken up, little frock
smoothed, its little rosy face wiped over
and over again. The little looking glass
in the clock, (by the way We had no 9TH
er, was consulted at least dozen times,
to see if the young lady, writing this lit
tie reminiscence, was dressed with suffi-
cient taste. Husbands hair was smooth
ly combed and curled, and his hat drawn
closely over his brows, with an injunction
not to take it off for fear the wind would
blow it away while he was at work and
it would never do for him to comb it be.
fore the lady. to be sure.
His nice wedding suit, too. was laid
carefully upon the bed, that he might slip
quietly up stairs, when he saw the visitor