Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-12-23
FRIDAY, DECEMBER %, 1859.


a, her mirror, to 10 certain that her toilette
needed no more hnishin: touches, she then
took her sewing aud returned TO the sitting
room.
Little Nellie had wearied Of her picture
book and was now playing With the kitten
As Mr'. Thornton entered she clapped her
hands in childish delight, and running to
Der kissed her over and over again. then
drew her little chair clo,e 10 her side. and
eagerly watched her a. she piled her needle.
repairing her siusham dress.
/ JuM as Il wa, completed the clock struck
the hour when Mr.. Thornton was expected,
and sh, proceeded to lay tho table with un-
usual care, and to place thereon several
choice uands ot which she knew he was
particularly fond.
Meanwhile let u. form the scqusin.ancc
Of the abscn, husband and father, whom
We find In the neighboriue town jus, com.
plotting hi' days uafie. ll,na ane look
ins miidle.ased man, with an unmi,iaka.
bic .sink!o Of kindly feeling IN hi. eye, and
the line. Of good humor plainly traced
about h' mouth-we know a, glance
that he is cheerful and indulg-n, IN hi.
family, aud We are At once prop,,,o',si in
hi. favor.
M hs il leaving the store whore b, ha,
made his lass purchas. Tor the day. h.. Il,
hniliarly acc,,ted by tall gentleman
jus, entering the door. II, recognizes an
old friend and sKelain', 4" George Morton.
il IL you ?" The sree.in, /, mutually cor.
dial they were friend. In bpyho,d and
early youth, bat sinso Mr.. Morton la. been
rrae,icins las IN distant city, they ha Va
seldom met, and ~. i'np place 10 eI.
change ihsir many questions aud answers.
Mr.. Thornion'' dnc span Of horses aud
lish, vehicle are .ianiins near By. and iI
needs but liI,ls persuasion to induce Mr.
Morton to accompany his frienl - hi.
home, which be ha, never yet visited. The
conversation j, lively and spirited they re.
call the fe.n of their school days. and tho
experience. Of after life, compare their r,e..
ent position IN the world with the golden
future OF which they used TO dream. Mr..
Morton !, a bachelor and very fl.iidious in
hi, ia'ics-ns that class OF individual. are
prone TO be-. The recollection Of this ii,h.
ss On Mr.. Thornton, mind a, they drive
along toward. their ds'.ina,ion. Al once
hi. zeal IN the dialogue ahltes. hs becomes
thoughtful and silent and doe. no. urge
nj. team onward. bui seem, willing to At.
ford Mr.. Morton an opportunity to admire
the beautiful scenery on 'ith-r hand, the
hill. aud valley. clad IN the fresh vcrduro
Of Juuc, whrlc tho lofty mountain range.
look bluc and din in tho distance. II,
cAnno, help wondering If they will lind his
vii. IN tie sane slrry predicamsGt in which
he Lett her that morning, and involdntarily
.hrink' from introducing % .Ia,tsrnly
per.onag, to hi, reausd aud cultivated
friend.
Butit il now too late TO rrtrac, his po.
lite inuniiOn--thcy are nearing the old
home,.ead--one Geld more aud hl, fertile
farm aud well KEEP, fences app.,r in view
Yonder !, hi, neat white house. surround.
ed with elm, and NAPLES. They drive
through n, large gateway, the man John
comes from the barn to put up tue horses,
and Mr. Thornton hurries up the walk to
the piazza, leaving his friend to follow at
his wifc fr,i, and II possible hurry her on,
OF sight before their visitor enters. lie
rushes 10 the sitting sroom-word. canno.
express bis amaEement-thsre sits the very
image % hi, lovely bride, and self.con-
scious blush mantles Der cheek as he stoops
10 kiss her, with words Of jpyful -urrr-e-
4" Why. Ellen :" lie has time foIno more,
George Morton has followed him. anu he
eIcaims. Ila! Charley, as lovsr.hke as
eysr-hasn'i the honeymoon Sc, YETI" and
then he is duly presented to Mrs. Thorn.
ton, who, under the pleasing excitement
Of tho occasion, appear, to far better al.
vantage than usual. Toa !. soon upon the
table, and the gentlemen do ample justice
to the tempting repast set before them.
\ happy meal it j. TO Charles Thornton,
who gales with admiring ewes upon hi.
still beautiful wife. supper over, Mr. Nor
ton coaIes little Nellie to SIT on bis lap, but
she soon slides oG, and climbing to hOr
fathers knee, whispers, confdsn,ially.
q" Dom, mamma look pretty'" lie kisses
her. and answers, " Yes, my darling
The evening passes pleasantly away, and
many halilorgo:ten smile Of their life.
pilgrimage is recalled BY some way'mark
which still CLEAN. brigh, in the distance.
They 10th feel younger and better for their
interview, and determine never to become
so like strangers again. Mr.. Mortons so.
liloquy. as he rO,ro' TO the coly apartment
appropriated to his use, Il. "Wsll, this
i' q happy family What lucky fellow
Charley is-such handsome wlfe and chill.
drtn, and so good hou.Okcepor, too.
May be I'll settle down some day myself"
which pleasing id,i that night mingled
with his visions.
The next morning Mr. Thornton watched
bis wifss movements with some anxiety
he could no, bear to have her destroy the
favorable impression which be was sure che
had made on his friends mind, and yet some
irrepre.ible impulse forbade his offering