Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-05-05
THE wIFE'S EXPERIMENT.
BY KATE CAMERON.


At last the clock struck the hour when Mr.
Thornton was expected, and his wife proceeded
to lay the table with unusual care, and to place
thereon several choice viands of which she knew
he was was particularly fond
Meanwhile let us form the acquaintance Of
the absent husband and father; whom VIC fud
in the neighboring town, Just completing his
days traffic. He is a fine looking, middle-aged
man. with an unmistalSable twinkle of kindly
feeling in his eye, aud the lines of good humor
plainly traced about his mouth-we know at
Iurcc that be is cheerful and inlulgent in his
amg, and are at once prepossessod in his ia.
vor.
As he is leaving the store, where ho has made
his last purchase for the day, he is accosted in
familiar manner by tall gentleman Just enter
ing the door He recognizes an old friend, aud
cxclaims--"George Morton is II youl' The
greeting is mutually cordial; they were friends
IN boyhood and early youth, but since Mr. Nor
ton has been practicing law in a distant city,
they have seldom met, and this Is no place to
exchange their many questions and answers
Mr. ThOrnton's fine span of horses and light
"democrat" are standing near by, and it needs
but little persuasion to induce Mr. Morton to ac
company his friend to his home which he has
never yet visited The conversation is lively
and spirited--they recall the tents of their
school days, and the experiences OF after life,
and compare their present posltion in the world,
| with the goluen 1dJure OF @hIcn tney usod 20
| dream Mr., Morton bachelor, ard very tas
tidious in his tastes-as that class OF individuals
are prone to be. The recollection of this fact
| flashes ON Mr. Thorntons mind as they drive
| along towards their destination. At once his
zeal in the dialogue Rbates, he becomes thought
iu and silent, and does not urge his team on.
ward, but seems willing to afford Mr., Morton an
opportunity TO admire the beautiful scenery on
either nd,--the hills and valleys clad in the
fresh verdure of June, while the lofty mountain
ranges look blue aud dim in the distance. He
cannot help wondering if they will find his wife
in the same sorry predicament in which he left
her that moring, and involuntArily shrinks from
introducing so satternly parsonage to his re-
lined and cultivated friend
But it is now too late TO retract his polite in.
vtatiou--they are nearing the old "homestead'
-one field more and his fertile farm, with its
| well kept fences, appears in view. Yonder is
! his neat white house, surrounded with elms and
naples They drive through the large gate
way, the man John CONS from the barn to put
out the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurries up
the walk to the piazza, leaving his friend 10 fol
low at his leisure--ho must see his wife first
and if possible hurry her out Of sight before
| their visitor enters. He rushes into the sitting
| FOOUl--WOTnh CdlllOb tApfthh nlh hllhhtLltiitt-
there sits the very image of his lovely bride,
and a self conscious blush mantles her cheek as
he stoops to kiss her with the words Of joyful
surprise "WhV Ellcnl" He has time for no
more, George Morton has followed him, and he
exolaims, s,-"IIa! Charley, as lover-like as ever
| hatnt the honeymoon set yeti" and then he is
duly presented TO Mrs, Thomton.who, under the
pleasing excitement of the occasion, appears 70
far better advantage than usual Tea is aoon
upon tho table, and the gentlemen do ample
justice to the tempting repast spread before
them, A happy meal it is to Cnas Thornton,
who eazes with admiring fondness upon his still
beautiful wife Supper over, Mr.. Morton coaxep
little Nellie TO sit in his lap, but she soon ides
down, and climbing her fathers knee, whis-
pers eonGdentially, "Don't mama look prettyl"
He kisses her and answers, "Yes, my darling. -
The evening passes pleasantly aud swiftly
away, and many hall-lOrgotten mile of their
life pilgrimage il recalled by some waymark
which still CLEANS bright in the distance They
both feel Younger and better for their interview
| and determine never TO become so like strangers
again. Mr. Mortons sohloquy as he retires to
the cosy apartment appropriated 10 his use, il
-"Well this is happy iamilyl What lucky
fellow Charley is such handsome wife and
children--and she 80 good house keeper, too!
May be I'll settle down some day myself -
which pleasing idea that night mingled with
his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thorlon watched his
wife's movements with some anxiety--he could
not bare to see her destroy the favorable i'm
preston which he was certain she had made on
his friends mind, and yet some irresistible i'm
pulse forbade his Offering any suggestion or al
luding in any way TO the delicate subject sc
long unmentioned between them. But Mrs
Thorton needed no friendly adyies-wth true
womanly tact she perceived the advantage she
had gained, and was not at all inclined TO Telin.
quish it. The dark gingham dress, linen collar
aud snowy apron, formed am appropriate and
becoming morning attire for house keeper, and
the table afforded the guest no occasion for al
tering his opinion iR regard TO the skill or afil-
bility Of his amiable hOsteis. Early 10 the fore.
noon, Mr. Morton took leave of his hospitable
friends, being called away by pressing affairs
Of business I..
Mr. and Mrs. Thortoh returned 10 their &C,
custohled AvOeations, but il was with renewed
energy and naw sense of quiet happiness, nc
less deeply felt because unexpressed A day OF
two Afterwards Mr.. Thornton invited his wife Ia
accompany him TO town, saying he thought sac
might want 10 d. some shopping, aud she, with
no apparent surprise, but with heartfelt pleas.
ufe acceded TO the proposal. The following
Sabbath the village gossips had ample food fol
their hungry eyes, (tO be digestsd At the next
Sewing society,) in the appearance Of Mrs
Thornton at church clad in plain but rich COS
tune, an entire new outfit, which they eould
not deny, made her look ten years younger
| TLia vFaa the beginuina az fha ~ firm nItd 4