The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21

excellent qualities. She can draw, and
paint, and pour out tea and you should see
her polka and she plays enchantingly, and
dresses like a queen. She has fortune,
too"
He looked in his mother face for encour.
agement, but saw none. .r......
"You are not going now to be jealous, and
behave like mother-in-law ~ ......
Certainly not jealous, nor, hope, un-
kind" ..,.. r
No, she was never mother-in-law to
Lura Lee. a- ref -mt1E s---
In a week from this conversation, in a
year from the date of her husbands death,
the tomb was openedaand they placed, side
by side with the old Judge, that one whom
he had chosen for the dearest treasure of
all his life." ...us
At home and afar, at the distant borders
Of the land, where those had wondered whom
she loved and served-the paper of the
mouth recorded her death and her virtures /;
so gentle and tender had been her life-so
noble, and beneficentand true.
so this dear old paragon of matrom is
gone," mused Lura Lee, as she glanced at
the morning paper. "Ambrose will feel
hcart-broken for a week or two; but it's Just
as well for both of us. I shall never be a
paragon heaven forbid! I shall sail gently
through life, with Ill the amuSements I can
reap, all the pleasures can afford a ring
at the door! Is it he?
"Only a note. VIII 90 to the funeral :?
We'll, yes, ifI must. Wear black ? Now
that is presumng on my good nature. Why
I look like fright in it! No, Mr.. Ambrose,
| will not wear black! But stop-bring my
desk, John. may as well have-scruples ::
don't approve Of of mourning, and SO on.
"Therc, John, put a stamp on this note,
and take it at once to the Office. | wear
black Let us see. WHAT was ,reading ?
There was other news, suppose, than this
old lady's DEATH" .......a. ........
Weeks passed, the family of Malam Will
lard was scattered, her estate divided. The
share Of Ambrose hardly would suffice to
furnish his city house but the brides father
did that The wedding day was near.
"How beautiful you are tonight, divine
angel Why do not other women smile like
you move, dress like you? Can it be that
the only one absolutely perfect falls to my
share? ~
Say some more. like to hear you rave"
"It is not raying; but sober, sensible truth;
plain, earnest, my sweet, rare hower!"
''Apropos. what lovely basket of japoni-
cas- you sent to-day. have enjoyed them,
oh! so much; and do you know Jane thinks
she can trim my skirt with them for the par
ty tomorrow? Won't it be original, and
gorgeous too?'
He did not tell her of another basket of
fiowers-the same kind of f1owers-he had
procured at the same time, and that stood
now on his mothers grave, all dewy in the
starlight!
Again months passed, a year, two years
They occupied the large house, luxurious in
all its appointments. The predictions of
Madam Willard were accomplished for
sentiments and flowers there were cares and
duties now parlor, nursery, kitchen, butch
cr's bills, mllionery bills; they hal arrived
and must be met 1t needed generalship
like that which controls an army--unless
you have tried it, reader do not smile-it
needed the patience and gentleness of saints,
the dutifulncss of woman, it needed only a
large, true loving heart, and this might all go
well.
"Pray speak Of something, Ambrose, be-
sides your children. Am | not worn to
shadow watching them2 Have touched the
piano for two weeks? Did give them scar
let fevcr?"
"You have watched too closely, my pet"
He had not called her pet, for long, till now
"You shall not be cnslayed, shall have more
society. We will take journey"
".And lenye the house filled with turbulent
servants? They'd melt our silver into bars,
and run away with the ceilings. Blessed be
nothing, is my motto! But, Ambrose, dear,
since you are good-natured, did see the
sweetest set of pearls at Jones' to-day"
".At the sweetest price, I'll be bound"
"An wonder if you inquired the price
ofth"se baskets of japonicas you used to send
'Ofa truth, says the proverb, "a mans love
lasts not long, woman's forever
"Do not talk in that way, Lura. 1t
sounds like earnest"
81 never said it was not"
"But, child, would indulge every wish of
your soul, were not that"
"Now know: sermon on money!
II am young man."
81 might have married a rich man."
IL long for usefulness and distinction"
''Yes you in your way; in mine. You
to print old prosy speeches; to wear beau
tiful pearls"
"Yeu shall have the pearls, Lura"
"May [? Now that is reasonable. You
know, Ambrose, it is not as if came to you
pcnnilcss."