The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-10

ETY., nor did he seem to care about receiving
his friends at his own house. although he was
a social man, and had once felt proud to in-
troduce bis young wife to his large circle of
acquaintance.
Now, they seldom went ont together except
ing to church, and even dressing 'for that was
generally too much of an effort for Mrs.
Thornton,-she would stay at home fo keep
house. after preparing her little ones to &C.
company their father. and the neighbors soon
ceased expecting to meet her at public wor-
ship or in their social gatheriIgs-and so. one
by one, they neglected to call on her until but
very few of the number continued to exchange
friendly civiIties with her She had wondered
at this, had felt mortified and panied hereto
fore; now she clearly saw it was her own fanlt,
the veil was removed from her eyes, and the
mistake of her life was revealed in its true
enormity. Sincerely did she repent of her
past error, calmly and seriously resolve on flu
ture and immediate amendment
Meanwhile her hands were not idle and at
length the metamorphosis was complete The
bright pink drapery hung gracefully about her
form, imparting on unusual brilliancy to her
complexion.-her best wr ought collar was fas-
tened with co-tly brooch her husbands wed.
ding gift, which had not seen the light for
many day G!ancing once more at her mir
ror, to be certain her toilet needed no more
finishing touches, she took her sewing, and
went to the sitting ROOM
Little Nellie had wearied of her picture
book. and was now playing with the Kitten
AS Mrs Tharnton entered she clasped her
hands in childish delight, exclaiming, 'Oh,
Ma bow pretty-prettyr and running TO her,
kissed her again and again, then drew her lit
tie chair close to her side, and eagerly watch
ed her as she piled her needle, repairing the
gingham dress. Just before it was completed,
Nelie's brothers came from school. and paus-
ing at the half opened door, Willie whispered
to Charlie, i guess we've got company, for
mothers all dressed up.'' It was with mingled
emotions of pleasure and pain that Mrs.
Thornton observed her children were unusual.
ly docile and obedient, Fastening to perform
their accustomed duties without being even
reminded of them. Children are natural and
unaffected lovers of the beautiful, and their
comparison with the opinions of mature world.
ly wisdom. 1t was with new feeling of ad
miration that these children now looked upon
their mother and seemed to consider it a priv
to n for hor t. tlo
get the kindlings,-'I will make the fire.
and may fill the tea kettle?'-instead of, as
was sometimes the case, need do it ?-'l
don't want to,'-'why can't Willie?'
Nellie was too small to render much assist
ance but she often turned from her frolic with
her kitten, to look at her mother, end utter
some childish remark expressive of joy an6
love. At last the clock struck the hour wher
Mr.. Thornton was expected and his wife pro
ceeded TO lay TIE table with unusual care, anG
to place thereon several choice viands o
which she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let us form the acquaintance o
the absent husband and father, whom we fine
in the neighboring town. just completing hi
days traffic. He is fine looking, middle
aged man, with an unmistakable twinkle o
kindly feeling i'll his eye, and the lines of goot
humor plainly traced about his mouth-w,
know at glance that be is cheerful and indul
gent in his family. and are at once preposesse,
in his favor. AS be is leaving the store, wher
he has made his last purchase for the day, he
accosted i'll familiar manner by tall gentle
man just entering the door. He recognize
an old friend, and exclaims George Mortol
is it your The greeting is mutually cordia
they were friends in boyhood and early you'll
but since Mr.. Norton had been practicing la
in a distant city, they had seldom met, and tn
is DO place to exchange their many question
and answers. Mr.. TherntoD's fine span
horses and light democrat are standing ne.
by, and it needs but little persuasion to indut
Mr.. Morton to accompany his friend to b
hoTe, which he has never yet visited. TT
conversation is lively and spirted-they recs
the feats of their school days, the experienc
of after life, and compare their present pos
tion in the world, with the golden future
which they used to dream. Mr.. Morton is
bachelor, and very fastidious in his tastes
that class of individuals are prone to be. tt
recollection of this flashes on Mr.. Thornton
mind as they drive along towards their dest
nation. At o ce his zeal in the dialogue abat
urge his team onward, but seems willing to
ford, Mr.. Morton an opportunity to admi
the beautiful scenery on either hand,-the hi
and valleys clad in their fresh verdure of Jul
while the lofty mountain ranges look blue
the distance. He cannot help wondering
they will find his wife in the same sorry Or
dicament in which he left her that mornir
and involuntsriy shrinks from introducing
slatterDly parsonage to his refined and cul
waited friend. o.
But it is now too late to retract his pol
invitation-they are nearing the old HON
stead'-one field more and bis fertile farm W
: its we'll kept fences, appears in view. Yont
in his neat white house, surrouned with ell
3 and naples They drive through the lar
gateway, the man J ohm comes from the bt
] to. put out the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hr
. ries up the walk to the piazza, leaving
D friend to follow at his leisure-he must see
wife FIRST, and if possible. hurry her out of sie
r before their visitor enters He rushes il
q the sitting-room-words cannot express
g amazementI-theres sits the very image of
Q lovely bride, and self-conscious blush ms
o ties her cheek as he stoops to kiss her W