The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-08-03

those long vanished years, and tears glist-
ened in her eyes as she thought of the
many changes, time had wrought in
those she loved, but she murmured, what
hath sadness like the change that in our
selves we fndr In that hour she realiz-
ed how an apparently trivial fault had
gained the mastery over her, and Inn
perceptibly had placed a barrier between
her and the one she best loved on earth.
True, he never chided her,-never appa-
rently noticed her altered appearance, :
but she we'll knew he no longer urged her
going into society, nor did he seem to
care about receiving his friends at his own
house, although he was social man, land
had once felt proud to introduce his young
wife to his large circle of acquaintance.
Now, they seldom went out together
excepting to church, and even dressing
for that was generally too much of an Ell
fort for Mrs. Thornton,--she would stay
ut home 'to keep house, after preparing
her little ones to accompany their father,
and the neighbors soon ceased expecting
to meet her at pnblic worship or in their
social gatherings-and so, one by one,
they neglected to call on her until but
very few of the number continued to ex-
change friendly civilities with her. She
had wondered at this, had felt mortified
and panied heretofore; now she clearly
saw it was her own fault, the veil was re-
moved from her eyes, and the mistake OF
her life was revealed in its true enorlnity.
Sincerely did she repent Of her past error,
calmly and seriously resolve on future
and immediate amendment.
Meanwhile her hands were not idle,
and at length the metamorphosis was
complete. The bright pink drapery hung
gracefully about her form, imparting an
unusual brilIiancy to her complexion
her best wrought collar was fastened with
a costly brooch, her husbands wedding
Gift, which had not seen the light for ma
ny day. CHANGING once more at her
mirror, to be certain her toilette needed
no more flushing touches, she took her
sowing, and went to the sitting-room.
Little Nellie had wearied of her picture
book. and was now playing with the kit
ten. As Mrs. Thornton entered she clap
ped her hands in childish delight exclaim-
ing, ooh, 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 was completed, Mel
lies brothers came from school, and pau
sing at the half opened door. Willie wills
pered to Charlie, i guess we've got com,
panv. for mothers all dressed up II
was with mingled emotions of pleasure and
main that Mrs. Thornton observed hen
children were unusually docile and obedl,
emf, Fastening to perform their accustom-
ed duties without being even reminded o.
Them. Children are natural and unatfec'
ad lovers of the beautiful, and their intui
tive perceptions will not often suffer from
comparison with the opinions of mature
worldly wisdom. 1t was with new feel
inp of admiration that these children now
looked upon their mother, and seemed tc
consider it privilege to do something fol
her. 1t was, 'let me get the kindlings,
Il will make the fire, and, may I'll
the tea kettle y-instead of, as was some
times the case, need | do it?'-I don
want to,'-.why can't Willie"
Nellie was too small to render mucl
assistance, but she often turned from he
frolic with her kitten, to look at her moth
or. and utter some childish remark expires
sive of 10y and love. AT length the clocl
struck the hour when Mr.. Thornton wa
expected, and bis wife proceeded to Ia.
the table with unusual care, and TO plac
thereon several choice viands OF which
she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let us form the acquaintanc
of the absent husband and father, whom
we find in neighboring town, just com
pletiug his days traffic. He is a fine-look
ing. middIe-aged man, with an unmlsta
kabIe twinkle of kindly feeling in his eye
and the lines CT good-humor plainly trac
ed about his mouth-we know at glanc
that be is cheerful and indulgent In hi
family, and are at once prepossessed Il
his favor. AS he is leaving the store
where he has made his last purchase 10
the day, he is accosted in q familiar man
ner by a tall gentleman just entering tn
" x.oao,p,1oc on AID friend an