Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-15
6. 1859.

UNFAIRLY shrinks from introducing 80 slattern-
" parsonage to his refined and cultivated
friend.
But it is now too late to retract his polite
invitation-they are entering the old 'home-
stead'-one field more and bis fertile farm,
with its we'll kept fences, appears in view.
Yonder is his neat white house, elms and
naples They drive through the large gate
way, the man John comes from the barn to
put up the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurries
up the walk to the piazza, leaving his friend
to follow at his leisure-he must see his wife
first, and if possible hurry her out Of sight
before their visitor enters. He rushes into
the sitting-room-words cannot express his
amazement- there sits the very image of his
lovely bride, and self conscious blush man
ties her cheek as he stoops to kiss her with
words of joyful surprise, why Ellen! He
has time for no more, George Morton has
followed him, and he exclaims, sHa! Char
lev, as lover-like as ever-hasn't the honey
moon set yet?' and then he is duly present
dto Mrs Thornton, who, under the pleasing
excitement of the occasion, appears to far
better advantage than usual. Tea is upon
the table, and the gentlemen do ample JUS
tice to the tempting repast spread before
them. A happy meal it is to Charles Thorn
ton, who gazes with admiring fondness upon
his still beautiful wife. Supper over, Mr..
Morton coaxes little Nellie to sit on his lap,
but she soon slides down and climbs her
fathers knee, whispers oonfdentially, Don't
mamma look pretty?' BE kisses her and
answers, 'Yes, my darling
The evening passes pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many ,half,forgotten smile OF
their life pilgrimage is recalled by some way
mark which still CLEANS bright in the dis
tance. They both feel younger and better
for their interview, and determine never to
become so like strangers again. Mr.. Nor
ton'ssoliloquy, as be retires to the cosy apart
ment appropriated to his use is, well this
is happy family! What lucky fellow "
Charley is-such q handsome wife and chill
dren-and she so good housekeeper, too
Maybe I'll settle down some day myself
which pleasing idea that night 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
favorable impression which he was certain
she had made on his friends mind, and yet
some irresistible impulse forbade his offering
any suggestion or alluding in any way to the
delicate subject so long unmentioned be-
tween them. But Mrs. Thornton needed no
friendly advice-with true woman!y tact she
perceived the advantage she had gained, and
was not at all inclined to relipquish it. The
dark gingbam dress, linen collar and snowy
apron formed an appropriate and becoming
morning attire for housekeeper and the
table afforded the guest no occsion for alter
ing his opinion in regard to the skill or af'
fability of his amiable hostess. Early in the
forenoon, Mr.. Morton took leave of his hos
pitable friends, being called away by press
ing affairs of business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thornton returned to their
accustomed avocations, but it was with re-
newed energy, and new sense ofquiet happi,
ness, no less deeply felt because unexpress-
ed. A day or two afterwards, Mr.. Thorn
ton invited his wife to accompany him to
town, saying he thought she might do some
shopping; ane she, with no apparent surprise,
but with heartfelt pleasure acceGed to the
proposal. The following Sabbath the village
gossips bad ample food for their hungry eyes
(to be digested at the next sewing society, }
in the appearance of Mrs. Thornton at church
clad in plain but 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 brighter day for the
husband and of our story. True, habits OF
such long standing are not conquered in
week or a month aud very often was Mrs.
Thornton tempted to yield to their long
tolerated sway; but she fought valiantly
against their influence, and in time she van
quished them. An air of taste and elegance,
once unknown, now pervaded their dwelling,
and year after year the links Of affection
which united them as family grew brighter
and purer, even radiating the holy light of
Christian home.
But it was not until many years had pas
sed away, and our little Nellie, now love-
ly maiden, was about to resign her place as
pet in her fathers household, and assume a
new dignity in anothers home, that her
mother impaired to her the story of her own
early errors, and earnestly warned her to
beware of that iusidious foe to domestic hap
piness-disregard Of little thiags-and kis-
sing her daughter with maternal pride and
fondness, she thanked her for those simple,
childlike words, which had changed the
whole current of her destiny-Dont Pa like
to see you look pretty'
s@ A young lady named Taylor meeting
former acquaintance named Mason at a
party, where the latter was assuming quan-
tity of importance in consequence of her
wealth, and who did not deign to notice her,
revengcd herself by stepping into the group
surrounding the naughty belle, and thus ad-