Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-05-21

linen she released her long, dark hair from ls I'M
p%risonment in a most un graceful twist, and care
fully brushing its still glossy waves, she plated
it in the broad braids which Charles used so much
to admire in the days Of her g%irlhood.
The unwonted task brought back many reminip
cences Of those long-vanished years, ard tears
g%listened in her eyes as she thought of the many
changes Time had wrought in those she loved,
but she murmured, "What bath sadness like the
change that in ourselves we find ?" In that boar
she realized how an apparently trivial fault had
gained the mastery over her, and impercephbly
had placed a barrier between her and the one she
best loved on earth. True, he never chided her,
never apparently noticed her altered appearance,
but she well knew he no longer urged her going
into society, nor did he seem to car about receiv-
ing his friends at his own house, although he was
a social man, and had once folt proud to introduce
his young wife to his large circle Of acquain-
tances.
Now, they seldom went out together excepting
to church, and even dressing for that was genor'
ally too much Of an effort for Mrs. Thornton
she would stay at home "to keep house" after
pre- pairing her little ones to accompany their
father, and the neiehbors soon ceased 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 con-
tinued to exchange friendly oivilities with her.
She had wondered at this, felt mortified and panied
heretofore now sho clearly saw it was her own
fault, the veil was removed from her eyes, and
the mistake of her life was revealed in its truo
enormity. Sincerely did che repent of her past
error, calmly and seriously resolve on future and
immediate amendment.
Meanwhile her hands were not idle, and at
length the metam orphose was complete. The
bright pink drapery hung gracefully about her
form, imparting an unusual brilliancy to her COM
plexion her best wrought collar was fastened
with q costly brooch, her husbands wedding gift,
which had not seen the light for many a day.
CHANGING once more at her mirror, to be sure her
toilette needed no more finishing touches, she took
her sewing, and returned to the sitting room.
Little Nellie had wearied of her picture book,
and was now playing with the kitten. AS Mrs.
Thornton entered she ella pped her hands in child
ish delight, exciaiming, oh, Ma, how pretty
pretty u and running to her kissed her again and
again, then drew her little chair close to her side,
aud eagerly watched her as she piled her needle,
repairing the gingham dress.
just before it was completed, Nellie's brothers
came from school, and pausing at the balf-opened
door, Willie whispered to Charlie, II guess
we've got company, for mothers all dressed up
1t was with mingled emotions of pleasure and
pain that Mrs. Thornton observed her children
were unusually docile and o~bedient, Fastening to
perform their accustomed duties without being
even reminded of them. Children are natural
and unaffected lovers Of the beautiful, and their
intuitive perceptions will not often suffer from
comparison with the opinions Of mature worll lily
wisdom. 1t was with o new feeling of admira-
ton that these children now looked upon their
mother, and seemed to consider i, a privilege to
do something for her. 1t was, 'let me get the
kindlings,"-"I will make the fre,"-and may l
fill the tea. kettle ?"--instead of, as was sometimes
the case, "need l do it ?"-"I don't want to-
{ "why can't Willie I"
Q Nellie was too small to render much assistance
bu: she often turned from her frolic with her kit
ten, to look at her mother, and inter some child
ish remark expressive of joy and love.
At last the clock struck the hour when MI
Thornton was expected, and his wife proceeded
q lay the table with unusual care, and to plac
thereon several choice viands of which she kne
ce he was particularly fond.
es Meanwhile let us form the acquaintance of ii
e.. absent husband and father, whom we find in ii
neighboring town, just completing his days trafi
rs lie is a fine looking, middle-aged man, with a
ny unmistakable twinkle of kindly feeling in his ey
wv and the lines of good humor plainly traced abo'
NV his mouth-we know at n glance that he is chez
IN, full and i~ndulgent in his family, and are at on,
lin prepossessed in his favor.
'er As he is leaving the store, where be has mat
nd his last purchase for the day, he is accosted in
a familiar manner by a tall gentleman just ente
Ist ing the door. He recognizes an old frien
ad and exclaims-"George Morton is it you ?" II
lie greeting is mutually cordial they were frien,
in boyhood ard early youth, but since Mr.. Mortt
in has been practicing law in a distant city, tn,
an have seldom met, and this is no place to exchanl
ar. their many questions and answers. Mr.. Thor
We toms fine span Of horses and light democrat" a
Ter standing near by and it needs but little persuasi
e; to induce Mr.. Morton to accompany his friend
a his home which he has never yet visited. T
'as conversation is light and spirited-they recall t
me feats of their school days, and the experiences
after life, and compare their present positi
she in the world. with the golden future of viii
,ssL they used to dream, Mr.. Morton is a bachel
Ind and very fastidious in his tastes-as that class
lch individuals are prone to be. The recollection
ind this fact flashes on Mr.. Thornton's mind as I'll
'er' drive along towards their destination. A, or
ed. his zeal in the dialogue abates, he becon
till thoughtful and silent. and does not urge his tie;
md onward, but seems willing to afford Mr.. Mort
vas an opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery
of either hand.-the hills and valleys clad in t
nat fresh verdure of June, while the lofty mounta
os' ranges look blue and dim in the distance. |
Of cannot help wondering if they will find his wi
IRE in the same sorry predicament in which he J,
her that morning, and involuntary shrinks fra
introducing so slatternly a parsonage to his rein
I've and cultivated friend.
md But it is now too late to retract his polite in
ent tation they are nearing the old Homestead"