The Kanzas news., 1859-04-30

"I felt as if had been wasting too much
sympathy upon her; or, rather, something
very foolish, that went by that name. ]
had now come to offer something better
something that the most of people we're toe
proud, too self-confdent to accept. Ny
only excuse was real heartfelt interest IN
her welfare. Would she suffer me to go onl'
81 Yes, she supposed ] had been hearing
some new tale ofiscandal regarding her ez.
trsvagance. her unhappy disposition. hes
dislike of the couRtry. l might speak q
long as liked, she was getting hardened, II
made but very little difference to her what
people thought or said regarding her affairs. "
This was said ia stoical sort of q way,
and her face wore not so much of its usual
discomfort, as it did of something not 60
good even-a fixed, determined look of go-
ing en- in the old way till it ended in sour
Indifference, misanthropic hate for every.
thing that lived in the sunshine: however /
persevered. I had come to spend the day,
and Jenny Manning should be the happier
/ for it.
I glanced about the rough looking apart
ment, at the stiff dining chairs, the bare ia
bic. There were no ornaments, no pictures,
none of those pretty little things that so
brighten up and render beautiful our homes.
The prospect was dreary one. For a mo-
ment thought it was enough TO make any
one miserable. Then I thought of the
pretty niek-nacks that had admired in
her city home-I remembered certain we'll
bound volumes, that might be precious COM
panions would she but let them talk to her.
felt it was of but little use for me to lay
my plans before her then, OF to give her any
advice, so told her to go on With her task
and would amuse myself. I went out in
the orchard and found Mr.. Manning hard
at work. He greeted me with good ma
tured smile, saying, "He was not only glad
to see me on Jenny's account, but really on
his own. He liked company, but it was
not quite so necessary for him as for his
wife"
I asked him what be thought about FIX
ing the old house up? eff he didn't think
it would havea tendency to make Jenny
better contented?"
s'He didn't know as it would-he thought
likely she would insist upon his selling out,
and then the repairs would bring in moth
ing" Mr.. Manning was one of those per-
sons who could see thing in its proper
light, as long as another held the veil aside
that blinded him, when he was obliged to
do his own thinking.
''It is such trouble, Anna. What would
you do frst?" b-
--Proeurs white-wash, and make every
dark. smoky corner pure"
"And then what?"
"Lighten up your paint. So much wood
work needs to wear pleasant color to the
eyes,"
"And then?''
"Paper your rooms with some pretty, not
gaudy or expensive hangings." So it was
settled, and in our cheerful talk about it at
the dinner rtable, could see that even the
wife was beginning to feel interested, though
she had but little to say.
helped her put away the dinner things.
and prevailed upon her to take the baby
the other children were at school for ram
Bile; pure air and forest shade, knew, would
bring back my old friend to her own natur
al self-and it did. Instead of shedding
tears and saying, "Poor Jenny!" as had
so many times before, when patiently lis
tening to the recital of her sorrows, said.
Happy Jenny!" and drew picture for
her to look upon, colored with brightest tints
of imagination-I praised the husband.
She was beginning TO slightly look down
upon him as she saw him, day after day,
come in with hardening hands and embrOw-
ed brow. '1
told her all the clever things I had
heard said of him-I interested her in him
the blue eyes were even smiling. Then
I warmed the mothers heart up, as spoke
of her children, and of the necessity of rem
dering their home attractive, that they
might not long for the time to come when
they might leave it, and ali its unpleasant
associations, untitled for the temptations
and trials beyond. Oh, q true mother was
divine artist-would she send defaced i'm
ages over the world?-deiormity from one
generation to another? Could she bear
unshrinking the curse of so many?
"God made the country-man the town.
Luxuries wers not to be despised-riches
were not to be despised-but neither could
alone bestoW happiness-re6nement, beauty,
could dwell in the humblesL cot, and these
we're far better, far more to be desired. She
had children more beautiful than the finest
statuary; flowers sweeter than all the tinsel
ofs millionaire's parlor; and landscape
from each window of such exquisite light
and shade, such rare blending of color and
diversity of scenery as never shone upon
canvas.
Each years attractions could be added to
the place. Roses should learn to chamber,
and vines to creep and beautify the outside
homeliness.
BY steady perseverance all the alterations
mentioned were made in her home. Still
the place wore an uncomfortable, bare look.
Aunt Hannah was becoming interested
in the progress of affairs. She sometimes
ssroked my hair, it was better than word
commendation, and steady, severe aunt Han
nah was willing too to add her mite. Jen-
! ny was taken by surprise to find. on enter
| ing her "fore room" one bright July morn
! ing. aunt Hannah's only hyorits house plant
loaded with blossoms, filing The whole
apartment with rare fragrance. Il was
not so much the value OF beauty ref the gift