Litchfield enquirer., 1859-05-12

indifferent on the suhject. A not Giving Ne,. lie picture-book with which to amuse herself, she went to her own room, mentally exclailn- ing, at any rate, I'll never put on this rig again-not even washing-day" She pro ceeded to her clothes-press and removed one dress after another some were ragged, oth- CTS faded, all out of style, and some unfit to wear. At length. she found one which had long ago been laid aside, as "too light 10 wear about the honse" It was nice French print, rose colored and white, and she remem- bered had once been favorite with her hus- band. The old adage, fashions cone 'rouui once in seven years," seemed true in this case, for the dress was made in the then prevailing style.
 This is just the thing" she thought, and she hastened to perform her toilette, saying to herself, "I must alter my dark gingllam to wear mornings, and get it all ready before Charles comes home." Then she released her long, dark hair from it's imprisonment u a most ungracefal twist, and carefully brushing it's still glossy waves, she plaited it in the broad braids which Charles used so much to admire in the days of her girllood.
 The unwonted task brought back many re- miniscences of those long-vanisbed years, and tears glistened 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 ourselves we find I" In that hour she realized how an ap parently trivial fault had gained the mastery over her, and imperceptibly had placed bar rier between her and the one she best loved upon earth. True, he never chided her-1ev- CT apparently noticed her altered appearance i; but she well knew he no longer urged her go- ing into society, nor did he seem to care about receiving his friends in his own house, although to introduce his young wife to his large circle of acquaintance.
 Now, they seldom went out together, ex- ceptiug to church, and even dressing for that was generally too much of an effort for Mrs. Thornton. She would stay at home to "keep house," after preparing her little ones to ac- company their father, and the neighbors ceas- cd expecting to meet her at public 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 exchange friendly civiLties with her. She had wonder ed at this, had felt mortified and pained here tofore now she clearly saw it was her own fault :; the veil was removed from her eyes, and the mistake of her life was revealed in its true enormity. Sincerely did she repent of her past error, aud calmly and seriously re- solve on future and immediate amendment.
 Meanwhile her hands were not idle, aud at length the metamorphose was complete. The bright pink drapery hung gracefully abont her form, impart;ng all unusual br;lliancy to her complexion. Her best wrought collar was fastened with costly brooch, her husbands wedding gift, whi:h had not seen the light for many q day. Glancing once more at hur mir TOT, to be certain her toilette needed no more finishing touches, she took her sewing and re- turned to the sitting room.
 Little N,llie had wearicd of her picture book, and Was now playing with the kittcn As Mrs. Thornton enter,d, she clapped her hands in childish delight, cxclaiming, "Oh, ma, how pretty-pretty :" and running to her, kissed her again aud again, then drew her it- tie chair close to her side, and eagerly watch ed her as she piled her needle, repairing the gingham dress.
 Just before it was completed, Nellie's broth CTS came from school, and pausing at the half opened door, Willie whispered to Charlie, guess we've got company, for mothers all dressed up." 1t was with mingled emotions of pleasure and pain that Mrs. Thornton ob- scvtd her children were unusually docile and Obedlent, ha-tening to perform their accustom- ed duties without being even reminded of them. Children are natural and unaffected lovers of the beautiful, and their ntuitive per- captions will not often suffer from comparison with the opinions of mature worldly wisdom. vpuc If <l l,o% these children now looked upon their mother, and seemed to consider it privilege to do something for her. It was, Let me get the kindlings." |" will make the fire," and "May l fill the tca-kettle ?"-instead of, as it was some times the case, "Need I do it ?'-"I don't want top" Why can't Willie {"
 Nellie was too small to render much assist ance, but she often turned from her frolic 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 Mir. Thornton was expected, and his wife proceed ed to lay the table with unusual care, and to place thereon several choice viands of which she knew he was particularly fond.
 Meanwhile let us form the acquaintance of the absent husband aud father. whom we find in the neighboring town, just completing his days traffic. He is fne-looking, middle aged man, with an unmistakable twinkle of kindly feeling in his eye, and the lines of good humor plainly traced about his mouthowe know at glance that he is cheerful and in dulgent in his family, and are at once prepos- sessed in his favor.
 As be is leaving the store, where he has made his last purchase. be is accosted in fa- miliar manner by tall gentleman just entering the door. He recognizes an old friend, aud exclaims-" George Morton, is it you ?" The greeting is mutually cordial l; they were friends in boyhood and early youth. but since MT. Morton has been practising law in distant city, they have seldom met, and this is no place to exchange their many questions and answers. MT. Tlornton's fine span of horses Ik fl q. .A.