The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-04-14

watched her as sh e piled her needle, repairin
the gingham dress
Just before it was completed, NelIie's bro
ther came from school, and pausing at th
half opened door, Willis whispered TO Char
ley
Il guess we've got company, for mother
all dressed up
1t was with mingled emotions of pleasuri
and pain that Mrs. Thornton observed he
children were unusually docile and obedient
fastening TO perform their accustomed dutie
withou. being even reminded Of them. Chill
dren are natural and unaffected lovers of the
beautiful. and their intuitive perceptions viii
not often suffer from comparison with the
opinions of mature worldly wisdom. Il was
with feeling of admiration that these chill
dren now looked upon their mother, and
seemed to consider 1t privilege to do some
thing Tor her. 1t was, let me get the kind
ings. L will make the fire, and may fill
\ the tea kettle? instead of as som etimes was
the se,-'necd | do it?' Il don't want to, ,
why can't Wlllle?'
Nellie was too small to render m uch assist
ance, but she often turned from her frolc
with the kitten, to look at her mother, and
utter some childish remark expressive OF 10y
and love.
AT last the clock struck the hour when Mr..
Thornton was expected, and his wife pro-
ceeded to lay tie table with unusual care, and
to place thereon several choice viands, of
winch she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let US form the acquaintance of
the absent husband and father, whom we find
in the neighboring town, Just completing his
days traffic. He is fne looking. middle
RH792dd R79d. man, with an unmistaksble twinkle of
humor plainly traced about ri.s 1...aS of GOOD
know of glance that he is cheerful and in
dulgent in his family and are al once prepos-
sessed in his favor.
As he is leaving the store where he has
made his last purchase for the day, he is ac
costed in familiar manner by a tall gen
tleman. just entering the door. Hs recogni-
zes an old friend and exclams-
George Morton. is it your
The greeting is mutually cordial; they were
friends in boyhood and early youth, but since
Mr. Morton had been practicing law in
distant city, they had seldom met and this is
no place to exchange their many questions
and answers NJ. Thorntons fine span of
horses and light democrat are standing near
by, and it needs but little persuasion to in
duce Mr.. Morton to accompany his friend to
his home, which he has never yet visited
The conversation is lively and spirited-they
recall the feats of their school days and the
present position in the world with the golden
future of which they used to dream. Mr..
Morton is a bachelor, and very fastidious in
his tastes - as that class Of individuals are
prone to be- The recollection Of this fact
flashes on Mr.. Thornton's mind as they drive
along towards their destination.
At once his zeal in the dialogue abates 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 valleys clad in the fresh yerdure Of
June, while the lofty mountain ranges look
blue and dim in the distance. He cannot
help wondering if he will find his wife in the
same sorry pradicament in which lie left her
/ that morning, and involuntarily shrinks from
Introducing SO s. l,tternly parsonage to his
refined and cultivated friend.
Bat it IS now too late to retract his polite
invitation--,hey are nearing the oh, home
stead'-one field more and his fertile farm,
with lis well kept fences, appears in view
Yonder is his neat white house surrounded
with elms aul NAPLES. They drive through
the large gate way, the man John comos 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 Ieisure-ht
MUST see his wife first, and if possible hurry
her GU; of sight before their visitor enters
He rushes into the setting -room--words can
not express his amazement-there sits tht
very image ofhis lovely bride, aud selfcon
scious blush mantlcs her cheeks as he stoop
to kiss her with the words of joyful surprise
IVIgt Ellen!' He has time for no more
George Morton has followed him, and he ex
claims. Ha, Charley as lover ike rs ever
hasn't the honey moon set YETI AMI then b
is duly presented to Mrs. Thornton, who
under the pleasing excitement Of the occasion
appears too far better advantage than usaai
/ Tea - sooa upea thv table, and the gentle
: men DO ample Justice to the tempting repas
spread before them. \ happy meal it is t
Charles Thornton, who gazes with admirin
fondness upon his still beautiful wife. Sup
per being over, Mr.. Morton coaxes littl
Nellie to sit on his lap, but she soon slide
down. and climbing her fathers knee, viii:
pers, confdentiallg. Done mama look pref
tv?' lie kisses her and answers, Yes dal
ling
The evening passed pleasantly and swif
II away. and many half forgotten mile {
their life pilgrimage is recalled By some way
mark which siill CLEANS brigh. in the di
lance They both feel younger and bett>
for their interview, and determined never
become so Ike strangers again. Mr.. No
tons soliloquy as he retires to the eosey apar
ment appropriated to his use. is--'Wen, III
is happy family, What = lucky fello
Charley is-such q handsome wife, and chi
dren-aad she's 50 good housekeeper, TO
Nav be II settle down some day, myself
what pleasing idea that night mingled /
yisioa.
Tie next morning Mr.. Thornton watcht
his w.fees movements with some anxiety
la,, iav Al aStr he -sN-sl
: able impression which he was certain s.
: hail made on his friends mind. vet some
: resistsble impulse forbade his offering al
t suggestions or slluding iu any way to 1
7 delicate subject SO long unmentionsd b
0 .oa., 49, R,,t IL, 1,b-rntnn realad ,