Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-05-20

seldom met. This is no place to ex-
change their many questions and answers;
Mr.. Thornton's 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 experiences of after
life, and compare their present position
in the world with the glorious 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
flashes on Mr.. Thornton's mind as they
drive along towards their destination. -
At once his zeal in the dialogue 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 seem
cry on either hand-the hills and valleys
clad in the fresh verdurc of June, while
the lofty mountain ranges look blue and
dim in the distance. He cannot help
wondering if they will find his wife in
the same sorry plight in which he left her
that morning, and involuntarily shrinks
from introducing so slatternly person
age to his refined and cultivated friend. =
But it is now too late to retract his
polite invitation-they are entering the
old Homestead" -one field more, and
his fertile farm with its well kept fences
appears in view. Yondcr is his neat
white house, surrounded by elms and
naples. They drive through the large
gateway, the man John comes from the
barn to put out the horses, and MIR.
Thornton hurrisS up the walk to the pi-
azza, 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 self-conscious
blush mantles her cheek as he stoops to
kiss her with words of joyful surprise,
"Why, Ellen p He has time for no
more; George Morton has followed him,
and exclaims,
Ha! Charley, as lovcr-like as ever;
hasn't the honeymoon set yet p and then
he is duly presented to Mrs. Thornton,
who, under the pleasing~excitement Of
the occasion, appears to far better adj
vantage than usual. Tea is soon upon
the table, and the gentlemen do ample
justice to the tempting repast spread be-
fore them. A happy meal tits to Charles
Thornton, who gazes with admiring fond
ness upon his still beautiful wife. Sup
per over, Mr.. Morton coaxes little Nellie
to sit on his lap, but she soon slides down,
and climbing her fathers knee, whispers
eonfdentia!ly, ''Don't Mamma look pref
ty" He kisses her and answers, "Yes,
my darling"
The evening passes pleasantly and
swiftly away, and many 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 solilo,
guy, as he retires to the cosy apartment
appropriated to his use, is: "Well, THU
is happy family. What lucky fellow
Charley is-such a handsome wife anC
children, and she SO good housekeeper
tool Maybe III settle down some day
self"-which pleasing idea that nigh
mingled with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thornton
watched his wifc's movements with som,
anxiety-he could not bear to have he
destroy the favorable impression which
he was certain she had made on hi
friends mind, and yet some irresistible
impulse forbade his offering any sugges
ton or abiding in any way to the deli
cate subject go long nnmcntioned between
them. But Mrs. Thornton needed NJ
friendly adyice-with true womanly tao
she perceived the advantage she had gain
ed, and was not at all inclined to relin.
quish it. The dark gingham dress, lin
en- collar and snowy apron formed an APP
propriate and becoming morning attire
for housekeeper; and the table afforded
the guest no occasion for altering bis
opinion in regard to the skill or ahability
Of his amiable hostess. Early in the
forenoon, Mr.. Morton took leave Of bis
hospitable 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 unexprcssed. 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 shop
ping; and she with no apparent surprise,
but with heartfelt pleasure, acceded to
the proposal. The following Sabbath
tho village gossips had ample food for
their hungry eyes Ito be digestcd 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 !;
and very often was Mrs. Thornton tempt
cd to yield to their long-tolerated sway I;
but she taught valiantly against their in
hucnce, and in time she vanquisbod them.
An air Of taste and elegance, before un-
knovn now uervadcd ,hoir dwelling