Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-12-21


times the case, sneed do it ?'-sI don't want
to.'-why can't Willie ?''
Nellie was too small to render much assist
ance, but she often turned from the froiic with
her kitten to look at her mother, and utter
some childish remark expressive of joy and
love. At last the clock struck the hour when
Mr.. Thornton was expected, and his wife pro-
ceeded to lay the table with usual care, and to
place thereon several viandS of which she knew
he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let US form the acquaintance of
the absent husband and father, whom
lind in the neghboring town, just completing
his days traffic. He is fine looking. middle
aged man, with an unmIstakable twinkle of
kindly feeling in his eye, and the line of good
know at glance that he is cheerful and indul-
gent in his family, and are at once PROPOSES
sed IN his favor. AS he is leaving the store,
where he has made his last purchase for the
day, he is accosted in familiar manner by a
tall gentleman just entering the door. lie re-
cognizeS an old friend, and exclaims: sGeorge
Morton,Tis it you?" The greeting is mutual
ly cordial; they were friends in boyhood and
early youth, but since Mr.. Morton had been
practicing law in a distant city, they had sell
dom met, and this is no place to exchange
their many answers. Mr.. Thornton's fine span
OF horses and light democrat is standing
near by. and it needs but little persuasion 10
lIlluCe MT. Morton TO accompany HIS ITictu 10
his home, which he had never yet visited.
The conversation is lively and spiritcd-they
recall the ieats of their school days, the expe-
rience of after life, and compare their present
position in the world, with the golden future
OF which they used to dream. Mr.. Morton is a
bachelor very fastidious in his taSte-as that
class of individuals are prone to be. The re-
collection Of this flashes on Mr.. Tbornton's
mind as they drive along TO their destination.
AT h o1 IN 3l,o liaIn ahata no ha
comes thoughtful and silent and does not urge
bis team onward, but seems willing to afford
Mr.. Morton an opportunity to admire the beau
tiful scenery on either hand-the hills and val
leys clad in their fresh verdure of June, while
the lofty mountain ranges look blue in the dis
tance. He cannot help wondering if they will
find his wife in the same sorry predicament in
which he left her that morning, and inyolunta-
rily shrinkS from introducing so Slatternly a
parsonage to his refined and cultivated friend.
But it is now too late to retract his polite
invitation they are nearly at the old home
stead-one field more and his fertile farm with
It's we'll Kept fences, appears in view. 1onder
Is his neat white house, surrounded with eimS
and naples. They drove through the large
gateway, the man John comes from the barn
to put ont the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hur
ried up the walk to the piazza, leaving his
friend to follow at his leiSure-he must sec his
wife first, and if possible hurry her out of
sight before their visitor enters. He ruShes
into the stting-rOom-words cannot express
his amazement-there sits the very image Of
his lovely bride, and self. conscious blush
mantles her cheek as he stoops to kiss her
with words of joyful surprise, s. Why, Ellen ?'
He has time for no more, George Morton has
followed him, and he exclaims-s Ha Char
ley, as lover like as ever-baSn't the honey
moon set yet p" and then he is duly presented
to Mrs. Thornton, who under the pleasing ex-
citement of the occasion, appears to far better
advantage than usual. Tea is soon put upon
the table, and the gentlemen do ample justice
to the tempting repast spread before them. A
happy meal it is to Charles Thornton, who ga
yes with admiring fondness over his still beau
tifu! wife. Supper over, Mr.. Morton coaXcs
little Nellie to sit on his lap, but she soon
slides down, and climbing her fathers knee,
whispers confidentially, Don't mamma look
pretty 20 He kisses her and answers, eyes,
my daring.''
The evening passed pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many a half-forgotton smile of their
life pilgrimage is recalled by some way-mark
which still CLEANS bright in the distance.
They both feel better for their interview, and
determined never to become like strangers
again. Mr.. Morton's soliloquy as be retires to
the cosy apartment appropriated to his use,
is-ssWell this is happy family What
lucky fellow Charley is-such handsome wife
and children-and she is so good housekeep-
er too May be I'll settle down some day
myself-which pleasing idea that night min
gled with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. T. watched his wife's
movements with some anxiety-he could not
bear to have her destroy the favorable impress
sion which he was certain she made on his
friends mind, and yet some irresistible i'm
pulse forbade his offering any suggestion or
abiding in any way to the delicate subject so
long unmentioned between them. But Mrs. NJ.
needed no friendly advice-with true womaniy
tact she perceived the advantage she had gain
ed, and was not at all inclined to relinquish it.
The dark gingham dress, linen collar and
snowy apron formed an appropriate and be-
coming morning attire for housekeeper, and
the table afforded the guest no occasion for al
tering bis opinion in regard to the skill or at
fability of his amiable hostess. Early in the
forenoon Mr.. Morton took leave of his hoSpi-
table friends, being called away by pressing
affairs of business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thornton returned to their ac-
customed avocations, but it was with renewed
energy. and new sense of quiet happiness, no
less deeply felt because uneXpreSsed. A day
or two afterwards Mr.. Thornton 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, acceeded to the proposal.
The following Sabbath the village gossips had
ample food for their hungry eyes, ito be di
gested at the next sewing society,) in the ap-
pearance of Mrs. Thornton at church clad in
plain, bat rich costume, an entire new outfit,
which they could not deny ''made her look
ten years younger
This was the beginning of the reform, and
it was the dawning of a brighter day for the
husband and wife of our story. True, h;Gk, |
of long standing are not conquered in 2horn-
or month; and very often was Moderated
ton tempted to yield to their zhinst their ir-
sway but she fought violen.lied them. An air |
fluence, and in time van6efore unknown, now
OF taste and elega5nYfing, and year after year