The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-20

her at public worship or in their social gath
erings-and so, one by one. they neglected
10 call on her until but very few Of the
number continued to exchange civilities
with her. She had wondered at this, had
felt mortified and panied heretofore now
she clearly saw that it was her own fault,
the veil was removed from her eyes, and ,
the mistake of her life was revealed i'll its :
true cnormity. Sincerely did she repent of
her past error, calmly and seriously resolved
on future and immediate amendment.
Meanwhile her hands were not idle, and
at length the metamorphosis was complete.
The bright pink drapcry hung gracefully
about her form, impartng an unusual bril-
liancv to her complcxIon,-her best wrought
collar was fastened with a costly brooch,
her husbands wedding gift, which had not
seen tho light for many day. Glancing
once more at her mirror, to be certain her
toict needed nomore finishing touches,
she took her sewing, and returned to the
sitting room.
Little Nellie had weared Of her picture
book, and was now playing with the kitten.
As Mrs. Thornton entered she clapped her
hands in childish delight, exclaimiug, "Oh,
Ma, how pretty-pretty !" and running to
her, kissed her again and again, then drew
her little chair close to her side, and
eagerly watched her as she piled her needle
repairing the gingham dress.
Just before it wrs completed, Nellie's
brothers came from school, and pausing at
the halfopcned door, Willie whispered to
Charlie, IL guess we've got company, for
= mother is all dressed up" 1t was with
! mingled emotions of pleasure and pain that
Mrs. Thornton observed her children were
. unusually ,locie and obcdcnt, Fastening to
= perform their accustomed duties without
= being even reminded Of them. Children
are natural and unaffected lovers Of tho
> beautiful, and their intuitive PERCEPTION:
will not often suffer from comparison will
" the opinions of mature worldly wisdom. |
e was with new feeling Of admiration tha
o these children now look upon their mother
J. and seemed to consider it a privilege to d
j. something for her. 1t was, "let me get til
1t kindinos.' IL will make the firc,"-an'
n "may fill the a-kettle !"-instead of, a
g. was sometimes the case, "need I do it !?
p -" don't want to ,"-"why can't Willie?
G. Nellie was TOO small TO render much as
Id sistance, bnt she often turned from her froli
ID with her kitten, to look at her mother, an
al utter some childish remark expressive of jo
" and love.
OF At last the clock struck the hour whe
ed Mr. Thornton was expected, and his wife pr
de ceedcd to lay the table with unusual car
zee and to place thereon several choice viand
Of which she knew he was particularly fou
Ter Meanwhile let us form the acquaintant
* Of the absent husband and father, who
m we find in the neighboring town, just cor
ct, pIcting his days traffic He is fine loo
th ing, m,ddle-aged man, with an unmistak
Ter able twinkle of kindly feeling in his ey
ny and the lines Of goodhumor plainly trace
not about his mouth-we know at glace t'
her he is cheerful and indulgent in his fami
ess and are prepossessed in his favor.
ers AS he is leaving the store, where he h
ear made his last purchase for the day, he
'ng accosted in familiar manner by
ear gentleman just entering the door.
nch recognizes an old friend, and exclair
re. George Morton, is it youa' The greet
her is mutually cordial; they were friends
ich boyhood and early youth, but since,
rue Morton as been practising law in dist
the city, they have seldom met. and
is no place to exchange their many qu
ght, tons and answers Mr.. Thorn,on's f
ilet, span of horses and light democrat"
lark standing near by, and it needs but il
all persuasion to induce Mr.. Morton to acct
pany his friend to his home which he .
hair never yet visited. The conversation is j
ace ly and spirited-they recall the feats
still their school-days, and the experience Of
road ter life, and compare their present post
to in the world with the golden future OWL
they used to dream. Mr.. Morton is bs
'any elor' and very fastidious in his tastes
ears, that class Of individuals are prone to
she The recolIections of this flashes on
bad TborH{on's mind as they drive along
mnr wards their destination. At once his
ange 10 the dialogue abates, be becomes thou
hour full and silent, and does not urge bis
fault onward, but seems willing to afford
i'm Morton an opportunity 10 admire the b
ween tiful scenery on either hand,-the bills
Q, he valleys clad in the fresh verdure of ]
ticed while the lofty mountain ranges look
knew and dim in the distance. He cannot
'ciety wondering if they will find bis wife il
g bis same sorry predicameut in which be
| l.. a. L., oh,