The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-11-17

mlraClOn CnaC JneSe cnllureu now looked
upon their mother and seemed to think
it privilege to do something for her.
1t was, "Let me get the kindling,-
81 will make the fire." and "May fill
the tea-kettle ?" instead of as was some
times the case, Need l do it ?"-s' l
don't want to-" "Why can't Will e?"
Nellie was too small to render much
assistance, but she often turned from
her frolic with her kitten to look at her
mother, and utter some childish re-
mark, expressive of JOY and love.
At last the clock struck the hour
when Mr.. Thornton was expected, and
the wife set the table with unusual care
and to place thereon viands,-of which
she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let us form the acquaint-
ance of the absent husband and father,
whom we find in neighboring village,
just completing his days traffic. He
is fine looking middle-aged man with
an unmistakable twinkle of kind feeling
in his eye, and the line of good humor
plainly traced about his mouth-we
know at glance that he is cheerful and
indulgent in his family, and are at once
prepossessed in his favor.
AS he was leaving the store where he
had made his last purchase for the day,
he is familiarly accosted by tall gen
tleman just entering the door. He re-
cognized an old friend, and exclaims: /:
Il" George Morton, is it you % The
greeting is mutually cordial; they were
friends in boyhood and early youth, but
since Mr.. Morton has been practicing
law in distat city, they have seldom
met, and this is no place to exchange
their many questions and answers. Mr..
Thornton's fine span of horses and light
" democrat" are standing near by, and
it needed but little persuasion to induce
Mr.. Morton to accompany his friend to
his home, which he has never yet visi-
ted. The conversation is lively and
spirited; they recall the feats of their
school days, and the experiences of af-
ter life, compare their present position
in the world, with the golden future of
which they used to dream. Mr.. Nor
ton is bachelor and very fastidious
in his taste-as that class of individu-
ais are prone to he. The recollection
of this flashes on Mr.. Thornton's mind
as they drive along towards their des-
tination. AT once his zeal in the dia-
logue abates, he becomes thoughtful
and silent, and does not urge his team
onward, but seems willing to afford MIR.
Morton an opportunity to admire the
beautiful scenery on either hand-the
hills and the valleys clad in the fresh
verdure of June, while the lofty noun
tain ranges look blue and dim in the
distance. He cannot help wondering
if they will find his wife in that sorry
predicament in which he left her that
morning, and involuntarily shrinks
from introducing so slatternly per-
sonage to his refined and cultivated
friend.
But it was too late to retract the po-
lite invitation-they are near the old
" homestead p'-one field more and his
fertile farm and its well kept fence ap-
pears in view. Yonder is his neat
white house, surrounded with elms and
naples. They drive 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 leasure; he mnst see. his wife first
ard 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
image of his lovely bride, and the self
concious blush mantles his cheek as he
stoops to kiss her with words of joyful
surprise" why Ellen ?" He has time
for no more; George Morton has fol-
lowed him, and exclaims: cha |!
Charlie, as love like as ever, hasn't the
honeymoon set yet?" and then he is
duly presented to Mrs. Thornton, who,
under the pleasing excitement of the
occasion, appears to far better advan-
tage than usual. Tea is soon on the
table and the gentleman do ample JUS
tice to the tempting repast set 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 her
fathers knee, whispers, con6dentially |:
"Don't mama look pretty ?" He kiss
es her and answers, "Yes, my dar-
ling"
The evening passed pleasantly and