Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-07-30

tance. but she often returned from her GrOlic
with her kitten to look at her mother, and ut
ter some childish remark expressive Of joy
and love.
At last the clock struck the hour when Mr..
Thornton was expected, and his wife proceed
cd 10 lay the table with unusual care, and to
place thereon several choice viands OF which
she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let US form the acquaintance Of
the absent husband and father, whom VIC lind
in the ncighOOring town, just completing his
days traffic. lie is fine.loOking, middle
aged man, with an unmistakabe twinkle of
kindly feeling in his eye, and the lines of good
humor plainly traced about his mouth-wc
know at glance that he is cheerful and in
dulgeut in his family, aud arc at once prepo.
scsscd in his favor.
As nc is leaving the store, whcrc he has
made his last purchase for the day, he is ac-
c0Stcd In a familiar manner by q tall gentle.
man entering the door, lie recognizes an old
friend and cxclaims--
"George Morton, is it you :"
The gecting is mutually cordial they were
friends in LOyhOOd and carly youth, but since.
Mr. Morton has been practising law in dis
tant city, they have seldom met, and this is no
place to exchange their many questions and
answers. Mr.. Thornton's span Of horses and
light "demeeFAt1 standing near by, anUi
it needs but little persuasion to induce Mr..
Morton to accompany his friend to his home,
which he has never yet visited. The conver-
sntiOn is lively and spiritcd-thcy recall tho
feats Of their schooldays, and the experience
Of after life, and compare their present posi-.
ton in the world with the golden future Of
which they used to dream.
Mr.. Morton is bachelor, and very fastidi-
Gus in his tastes-as that class of individuals
are prone to be. The recollection Of this fact
flashes on Mr.. ThOrnton's mind as they drive
along toward their destination.
At once his zeal in the dialogue abates, nc
becomes thoughtful aud silent, and does not
urge his time onward, but seems willing to
afford Mr. Morton an opportunity to admire
the beautiful scenery on either sidc-thc hills
and valleys clad in the fresh verdure of June,
while the lofty mountain ranges look blue and
dim in the distance. lie cannot help wonder.
! ing IL they will find his wife in the same sor-
~ predicamcnt in which he left her that
morning, and involuntary shrinks from intro
ducing SO slattcrnly parsonage to his refined
and cultivated friend. ~.
But it is now too late to rctract his polite
invitations-they are nearing the old "homc-
stend"-onc field more and his fertile farm,
with its well.kept fences, appears in view
Yondcr is his neat white house, surrounded
with Gins and naples.
They drive through the largo gateway, the
man John comes from the barn to put ur the
horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurrics up the walk
to the piazza, leaving his friend to follow at
his lcisurc-hc must see his wife first, and il
possible to hurry her out Of sight before their
visitor enters
lie rushes into the sitting g-ro0m--wor,ls
cannot express his Hmazement-therc sits the
very image Of his lovely bride, and a selGcon-
scions blush mantleS her check as he stoops
to kiss her, with the words Of joyful surprise
Why, Ellen"
lie had time for no moro, George Morton
has followed him, and he cxclaims-
"Ha, Charley! as lover-like as ever; hasn't
the honeymoon set yct!"
And then he is duly presented to Mrs. Thorn
ton, who, under the pleasing excitement Of
the occasion, appears to far better advantage
than usual.
Tea is soon upon the table, and the gentle
men do ample justice to the tempting repast
spread before them. A happy meal it is to
Charles Thornton, who gazes with admiring
fondnCss upon his still beautiful wife. Sup
per over, Mr.. Morton coaxcs little Nellie to sit
on his lap, but she soon slides down, and
climbing her fathers knee, whispers, conf
dcntialy-
"Don't mama look pretty?"
He kisses her and answers, "Yes, my dar-
ling"
The evening passes pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many half forgotten mile of their
life.p pilgrimage is recalled by some way.narkS
which still CLEANS bright in the distance
They both feel younger and better for their
interview, and determine never to become 90
like strangers again.
Mr.. MOrton's sOlilOquy, rs he rctires to the
cosy apartment appropriated to his use, is
"Wcll, this is happy familyl What a
lucky fellow Charley is-such q handsome
wife and childrcn-and she so good house
keeper, too! May be I'll settle down some
day myself (which pleasing idea mingled
with his visions.
The next morning, Mr.. Thornton watched
his wife's movements with some anxiety; he
could not bear to have her destroy the favora-
bic impression which he was certain she had
made on his friends mind, and yet some IRE.
sistible impulse forbade his offering any sug-
gcstions, or aluding in any way to the delicate
subject so long unmentioned between them.
But Mrs. Thornton needed no friendly advice
with true womanly tact she perceived the
advantage she had gained, and was not at oil
inclined to relinquish it.
The dark gngham dress, linen collar, and
snowy apron, formed an appropriate and be-
coming morning attire for housc.kccper, and
the breakfast table afforded the guest no occa-
sion for altering his opinion in regard to the
skill or affability Of his amiable hostess.
Early in the forenoon, Morton took leave of
his hospitable friends, being called away by
pressing affairs Of business. Mr.. and Mrs.
Thornton returned to their accustomed avoca-
tions. but it was with renewed energy, and n
new sense Of quiet happiness, no less deeply
felt because unexprcsscd.
A few days afterwards Mr. Thorton invited
his wife to accompany him to town, saying he
thought she might like to do some shopping,
and she, with no apparent surprise, but with
heartfelt pleasure acceded to the proposal.
The following Sabbath the village gossips
had ample food for their hungry eyes Ito be
digested at the next sewing society, in the
appearance Of Mrs. Thornton at church, clad
in plain but rich costume, an entire new out
fit which they could not deny "made her look
ten years younger"
This was the beginning of the reform, and
it was the beginning Of a brighter day, for the
husband and wife Of our story. True, habits
of such lOng.standing are not conQured in n
week; or month; and very often was Mrs.
Thornton tempted to yield to their long tOlcr-
ated sway, but she fought valiantly against
their influence, and In time she tanquished
them. An air Of taste and elegance before
unknown now pcrvadcd their dwelling, and