True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-27

went into an examination of all my affairs
my losses, my risks, and found my
self looking over the consequences OF
cinging 10 my old fancy and having to
buy that sofa, and the expense to which
it led, and put it down at the cost of
over ten thousand dollars Could have
carried out my purpose, that sum would
have been saved. now went home, re-
solved 10 confess all to my wife, and ask
her advice for the future. 1t was a terri
BILE task--that confession but it was ac-
complished. We sat together in our lit
tie sitting room where that sofa was then,
and | told her all-lhe whole story of the
past, from the first dream of surprising
her with perfect house, to that hour
She heard all my, story with eyes that
smiled and grew fearful and when l.
had finished she took my hands into her
own, and with kiss sweeter than ever
she had given before. said, in tone that
gladdened me 10 the heart, Sell, and by
the love that never seemed so holy and
beautiful as at this hour, I will be content
with poorer home than this we are now
in; and husband think not that you have
again to live on the past, for will keep
you 10 the present and hopeful for the fu-
ture by my improvement This was the
hour of my best success and wasn't |
proud of my dear wife when she said,
80 long as this sofa is spared, | will be-
content, and will help you in the world,
for no one shall remark on my dress or
amusemenls, or anything else as uniting
this time of commercial embarrassment.
Better than all this wealth is this confes-
sion you have made tonight The cri,
sis passed. Unexpected returns from
heavy debtors came to me, and favors as
rich as they were unanlicipated, helped
me in the most difficult strait, and once
more the shallow river was full. We
moved into our perfect house with the as
surance that it was both safe and right 10
do so. And now this mansion seems to
me all the more beautiful for this expe-
rivnce. But what do you now think Of
my holding on to the old s9fa!"
Think !" replied Orton, with his
usual enthusiasm, "think why think
| should not only preserve it as you have
done, but | would put an inscription over
it, lorbidding the p,olane from scorning
it as | did,"
So saying he made ITO the sofa again
and made a most respectful bow. lie
looked up and caught sight of beautiful
painting which hung over The sofa on the
wall, and after taking fair view of it
Orion exclaimed:
80, l see you've got here the inscrip'
tion in painted allegory."
"What do you mean, Charley? There
is no meaning to me in that picture, save
that it is fine view of lovely spot, and
the order which | gave the young arts
to paint it was a good thing for him.
replied He atom.
But thereis meaning beyond that, y
said Orton. " The scene is beautiful
The rounding of these hills, and the
splendid curve in the shore where the ri
yer becomes lake are line points, and
know very well the hand that has left it'
touches here. But what | want you tt
see is the meaning which--shall | say ii
this old sofa gives 10 the movement o.
this piece of art notice how the soft ant
mellow light Of the moon is thrown jus
in advance Of the pilgrim on the shore
and the radiance seems to be rising NOR
and more 10 bathe him in beauty. Ism
that the true emblem of wife's influence
Ito throw a light before us when al
around us is darkness, and to increas
that light till the very things whlcl
7 were all sadness once, become attractive
, , in the new light she throws upon them.
That pilgrim is yourself; the moon i
Mrs. Heaton, and that finely rounde
hill is the old sofa"
Orion turned round and sank down oil
the sofa only to discover that Mrs. Hea
: ton and his own wife were in the room t
Join the gentlemen for supper. He saV
at once that they had heard the whole o
his exposition Of the painters allegory,
and with most grave expression, be pu
his. finger tips together, as much as t
say, BE merci(ul in your laughter:-
: His wife answered:
:" Say Charley, don't you wish th'
. moon was your wife!'
90, Mrs. Orton did't say it 'casn
= :. II said wfe's influence, didn't / :"
Yes, and you also said the moon wf
Mrs. Heaton, didn't you :" laughingl
+ responded Mrs. Oyton.
= /" Right, wife but il you will onl
d shine as usual, I'll make il over to you
;. said Orton. "I walk in darkness {
i moon please to shine!' and saying thi
4 he rose, and with most admirable min
d icry of melancholy, paced the floor
IS front Of his wife,
"Now Charles that is too bad. 10 rel
j resent me as in. cloud" said Mrs. Orton
!. "No, no, Mrs. Orton," he replied; -
% only meant that | hadn't got far enoug
Il 10 receive your light. You know ! didr
4 see yo1 till | turned around"
!. nBut tell us said Mrs. lIeaton, "wh
s. set You in such raptures about the Q
Ilsofai You were quite poelical about