Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-05-21
ANTI-S IA VERY BUGLE

appears to far better advantage than usual. Tea
is soon upon the table, and the gentlemen do ample
justice to the tempting repast spread before them.
A happy meal is it to Charles Thornton, who
gazes with admiring fondness upon his still beauti-
full wife. Supper over, Mr., Morton coaxes little
Nellie to sit in his lap, but she soon slides down,
and climbing her fathers knee, whispers, conf
dentiaIly, Don't mama look pretty ?" lie kisses
her and answers, Eyes, my darling"
The evening passes pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many a half'forgotton mile of their
life. pilgrimage is recalled by some w~ay-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 soliloquy as he retires to
the cosy apartment appropriated to his use, is
"Well, this is a happy family! What n lucky fell
low Charley is-such q handsome wife and child
remand she SO good a housekeeper, tool May
be I'll settle down some day myself,"-wbich
pleasing idea that night mingled with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thornton watched his
wife's movements with some anxiety-he could
not bare to see her destroy the favorable Impress
ion which he was certaic she had made on his
friends mind, and yet some irresistible impulse
forbade his offering any suggestion or abiding in
any way to the delicate subject so long unmen,
toned between them. But Mrs. Thornton needed
no friendly advice-with true womanly tact she
perceived the advantage she had gained, and was
not at al inclined to relinquish it. The dark
g~ingham dress, linen collar and snowy apron,
formed an appropriate and becoming morning
attire for q house keeper, and the table afforded
the guest no occasion for altering his opinion in
regard to the skill or a~ffability of his amiablt
hostess. Early in the forenoon, Mr.. Morton tool
leave of his bospitable friends, being called by
pressing affairs of business.
Mi. and Mrs. Thornton returned to their accus
toned avocations, but it was with renewed energy
and new sense of quiet happiness, no less deepl,
felt because unexpressed. A day or two after
wards MIR. Thornton invited his wife to accompan,
him to town, saying he thought she might want {
do some shopping. and she, with no apparent sur
prise, but with heartfelt pleasure acceded to tn
proposal. The following Sabbath the village COS
sips had ample food for their hungry eyes, TO be di
gestcd at the next Sewing Society," in the appear
ance o. Mrs. Thornton at church clad in plain bu
rich costume, an entire new outfit, which they coul,
not deny, made her look ten years younger"
This was was the beginning of the reform, AM
is was the dawning of o brighter day for the hus
band and wife of our story. True, habits of suc
long standing are not conquered in n week, or
month and very often was Mrs. Thompson tempt
ed 20 yield to their long tolerated sway, put sh
fought valiantly against their influence, and il
time she vanquished them. An air of taste an,
elegance before unknown, now pervaded thei
dwelling, and year after year the links of affection
which united them as a family, grew brighter an
purer, even r~adiating the holy light of a Christian
home.
But it was not until many years had passe,
away and our little Nellie, now a lovely maiden
was about to resign her place as pet in her father
household, and ass ume a new dignity in another
home, that her mother impaired to her the ssor,
Of her own early errors, and earnestly warged he
to beware of that insiduous foe Of domestic happ;
ness-disregard Of lille hings-and kissing he
daughter with maternal pride and iondnesa
&, thanked her for those simple, chi!d.like word
: which changed the whole current of her destiny
: Don't Pa like to see you look pretty"