Nebraska advertiser., 1859-09-01
BRoWNvILLE NEBRASKA THURSDAY, SEPT. t. 1859

tAAiAA0 % tAC uAAfC dlOug TOWARDS tQelr
destination. At once his zeal in the dia-
logue abates, and he becomes thoughtful
and silent, and does not urge his team
onward, but seems willing to afford Mr..
Morton an opportunity to admire the
beautiful scenery on either hand, the hills
and valley clad in the fresh verdure Of
June, while the lofty mountain ranges
look blue and dim in the distance. He
cannot help wandering if they will find
his wife IN the same sorry predicament In
which he left her that morning, and In
voluntarily shrinks from introducing so
sIatternly parsonage to his refined and
cultivated friend
But 1t is now too late to retract his po-
lite invitatiOn-they are entering the old
"homestead"-one field more and his
fertile farm with its well kept fences, ap-
pears in view. Yonder is his neat white
house, surrounded with elms and naples.
They drove through the large gateway,
the man John comes from the barn to put
out the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurries
up the walk to the piazza, leaving his
friend to follow at his leisure-he must
see his wife first, and if possible hurry her
out of sight before their visitor enters
He rushes into the sitting room-words
cannot express his amazement-there sits
the very image of his lovely bride, and a
sef-conscious blush mantles her cheek as
he stoOps to kiss her with words of ioyful
surprise-"Why, Ellenw He has time
for no more, George Morton has followed
him, and he exClaims-"Ha! Charley, as
lover-ike as ever-hasn't the honeymoon
set yete" and then he is duly presented
to Mrs. Thornton, who, under the pleas
ing excitement of the occasion, appears to
far better advantage than usual Tea is
soon upon the table, and the gentlemen
do ample justice to the tempting repast
spread before them. A happy meal it is
to Charles Thornton, who gazes with ad-
miring fondness upon his still beautiful
wife. Supper over, Mr.. Morton coaxes
little Nellie to sit on his lap, but she soon
slides down, and climbing he fathers
knee, whispers confidently, Don't mama
look pretty 2" He kisses her and answers,
eyes, my darling"
The evening passes pleasantly and
swiftly away, and many a half-forgotten
smile Of their life-pilgrimage is recalled
by some way-mark 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.. Morton's soliIoquy,
as he retires to the cosy apartment appro-
priated to his use is, "Well, this is happy
family! What a lucky fellow Charley is
such handsome wife and children
and she so good housekeeper, too
Maybe I'll settle down some day myself"
which pleasing idea that night mingled
with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thornton watch
ed his Wife's movements with some ankle
ty-he could not bear to have her destroy
the favorable impression which he was
certain she had made on his friends mind,
and yet some irresistible impulse forbade
his offering any suggestion or alluding in
any way to the delicate subject so long
unmentioned between them. But Mrs.
Thornton needed no friendly advice
with true womanly tact she perceived the
advantage she had gained, and was not
at all inclined to relinquish it. The dark
gingham dress, linen collar and snowy
apron formed an appropriate and becom-
ing morning attire for housekeeper; and
the table afforded the guest no occasion
for altering his opinion in regard to the
skill or afability of his amiabIe hostess.
Early in the forenoon, Mr.. Morton took
leave of his hospitabIe friends, being
called away by pressing affairs of business.
Mr. and Mrs. Thornton returned to
their accustomed avocations, but it was
with renewed energy, and new sense of
quiet happiness, no less deeply felt be-
cause unexpressed. A day or two after
wards, Mr.. Thornton invited his wife to
accompany him to town, saying he thought
she might like to do some shopping and
she, with no apparent surprise, but with
heartfelt pleasure, aCceded to the propo-
sal. The following Sabbath the village
gossips had ample food for their hungry
eyes (to be digested at the next sewing
society,) in the appearance Of Mrs
Thornton at church clad in plain but rich
costume, an entire new outfit, which they
could not deny "made her look ten years
younger"
This was the beginning Of the reform
and it was the dawning of brighter day
for the husband and wife of our story
True, habits of such long standing are
not conquered in week or a month; anC
very often was Mrs. Thornton tempted Il
yield to their long-tolerated sway; bu
she fought valiently against their infu
ence, and in time she yanquished them
An air of taste and elegance, before un
known, now pervaded their dwelling, ant
year after year the links of affection tha
united them as a family grew brighter AM
purer, even radiating tie holy light of
Christian home.
But it was not until many years har
passed away, and our little Nellie, nov
lovely maiden, was about to resign he
place as pet in her fathers household, an
assume new dignity in another home, tha
her mother impaired to her the story 0
her own early errors, and earnestly warn
: ed her to beware of that insidIOus foe t
: domestic happiness-diSregard of liHl
tbings,-and kissing her daughter wit
maternal pride and fondness, she thanke
bor for those siroDlo child lilo 1E,ord.