The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-02-09

Il followed. wondering how often this seven
fold repenisbment of dress must occur along
the future, in order to keep my beauty beau
tiful
Il had blundered in following the child-it
was all wrong, objectionable, but stood at the
boudoir door as one spell-bound; such chaos
of disorder, and, yes, dirt, as overspread the
fine TAPESTRY carpet! Two sewing women sat
among chests and trunks pulled at all possible
angels; and open drawers and boxes, heaps OF
cloth, ribbon, papers, fowers-so far / could
have forgiven but on rug directly in front of
the FIRE, amidst rubbish of which she made
part. sat my divine Eudora, pale and peevish,
her hair braiden away from her forehead IN
most unbecoming fashion, and eyes red from
nights dissipation. Her dress was silk, all
friled along the skirt but soiled, ard minus
one sleeve, while remains of the other fingered
cut of slantwise at her elbow-1 have good
memory. Some visions make very dazzling,
deep impression. Cousin, | left her there,
reading novel. and have never seen her since.
The child, with cbild's quick instinct, saw
that we were wrong, and led me away whls-
pering. Don't ever, ever tell of it, sister
would be angry, she would throw candlestlck
at me as she did at Nora when" hushed her,
had enough of family secrets.
THAT love went out like candle in my
heart Winning Eudora, l should have won
beauty at the expense Of Yerything beautiful
in life-yes, that love went out like candle.
thought of my pleasant bachelor home, my
own neat room with stocks Of cigar boxes, the
India mating half covered by the heavy rug,
of the books and easy chair, and the fire place
wide enough for me, and the pleasant confu-
sion of papers, tools, smoking cap, boot jack
hundred things on which / could lay my
hand at an instant's thought. ! resolved TO
return TO Milford
Zone last call I had to make; it was on an
old friend. You smile, ay, it was on Susan
Gladstone, my best wife! She had grown homely
who was never beautiful; she had a care-wor
look, for ber family were poor, and struggling
to retain fine old mansion in the suburbs.
But could not slight an old acquaintance in
adversely; and set forth for Broadhall one even
ing, the coolest, dreariest yet: it had rained for
three days, the roads were muddy, doors
creaked, gates clang together, lights burnt
dimly, oh, it was dolorous!
81 did not wait, nor was led into state
parlor at the Gladstones, nor did find splen'
dor and company manners. The family were
assembled in the good old sitting room, a.
table, secretary, and freside; big logs were
| blazing in the chimney, and lent their glow tc
the furniture, and curtains of red moreen, OF
of bright new chintz. Many ornaments were
about the room, all cheap or Of home manu-
facture: the good engrayings on the walls were
| framed plain; the books were on shelves o.
pine adorned with leather work, some vases
were filed with green leaves and berries, few
I flowers stood in one, and a fine large pot o.
/ English ivy draperied a corner of the apart
ment with its fresh sprays of green; the pot
observed was a grape jar, painted to initiate al
Etrusean vase.
Mr.. Gladstone, the picture Of happy old
age, sat by his freside in chair of his chill
drens covering, in slippers of their working
while Sue, at the table, was writing off Ions
lists of names from his bank books, and filling
out circulars. Her mother was knitting besid
her, Fred was studying his lesson, Fanny dress
ing DOLL Kate sat at the secretary puzzIln;
over a composition, Frank was kneeng on tn
hearth-rug, composing-a kite. can see then
all now Fred is lawyer, Fanny wife, Aat
an authoress, Frank a sea captain; but L Sc
them all, and Sue, with her fine eyes, her dear
good face, in their midst, merry and genial ant
self-oblivious; simple in manners, neat in dress
attentive, yet not absorbed in her work. Sh
remembered me at once, with the old franknes
expressed her pleasure at meeting, introduced
me to her kindred, made me place by tn
freside-one, thank God! | have never lost
and then without farther apology promised t.
talk with me soon, when her work should b.
done, and returned to the writing, yet foun(
time for pleasant words IN every pause OF con
versation found time to take up her mothers'
stiches if they dropped, to help Fred in his sum
to bend over poor Kate whom the composition
sorcly puzzled, a5id clear away her difficult.
bv sensible word or two, or a question or two
Then she came to the fire, and while convers
inc with me cut colored papers for Frank, ant
gave most iudicious advice with regard TO tht
construction of his kite.
"No, cousiE they did not impose upon Sue
good nature: il was her way to help every one
to make every one feel dependent on her. In
not ashamed 10 tell you that | cannot take
! Journey, or dress, or entertain visitors, or sa,
nv PRAYERS without her assistance. Wha
should do if she died?-become another man
with humber endowments less power, les
enjoyment. She keeps my heart calm and N,
/ Drain clear, ii IS NeI sweet way Vi "2set 'i'5
woman's right, she works through all others
but She works right brayely and we'll
INV story is ended. Another lamp wa
kindled that evening, and all the winds OF eart
have not extinguished, nor made its light wan
vet. | saw in vision beautiful home, a beau
ttiful life, and dear Sue has helped me find then
both l cannot think of her as unlovely, 70
whenever she goes she bears blessed ,peacefu
genial atmosphere; in her presence beauty
sure to look more beautiful and wit to floy
more freely, and music to sound more sweet
and laughter has merrier ring, and the YER
lamps burn brighter when she comes! wa
dreaming of love, of home joys. home content
| tell you, cousin. these true homes are typ
and foretaste of heaven, and beauty is but a
outward expression of that which grows her
constantly, breathing life!
"The valise ready so soon? But need nc
60 for half an hour yet. Come, Sue, and hel
US with our metaphysics.
'Physics instead! Who except yourse
would have thought of that cough mixture
Oh, talk of Florence Nighingale-all honor t
her!-but | believe there are thousands {
Florence Nghtingaes scattered in earthl
homes, unrecognized by strangers, but blesse