The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-10
RAVENNA OHIO:---W WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1859.

A happy meal it is to Charles Thornton. who
gazes with admiring fondness upon his still
beautiful wife. Snpper over, Mr.. Morton
coazes little Nellie to sit on his lap, but she
soon slides down. aud climbing her fathers
knee, whispers confdentially, Don't mama
look pretty p He kisses her and answers,
Yes. my darling
The evening passes pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many hal-forgottten spile of
their life pilgrimage is recalled by some way
mark which still CLEANS bright in the distance
They both feel better for their interview. and
determined 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 happy family What a
lucky fellow Charley Is-such handsome
wife and chldren-and she so good a house
keeper, too! May be I'll settle down some day
myself which pleasing idea that night min
gled with his visions. s
The next m orning Mr.. Thornton watched
could not bear to have her destroy the favor
able impression which he was certain she had
made on his friends mind, and yet some ire
sistable impulse forbade his Offering any sug-
gestion or alluding in any way to the delicate
subject so long unmentioned between them.-
But Mrs. Thornton needed no friendly ad-
vice-with true womanly tact she perceived
the advantage she had gained, and was not at
all inclined to relinqnish it. The dark ging-
ham dress, linen collar and snowy apron formed
an appropriate and becoming morning attire
for housekeeper and the table afforded the
guest no occasion for altering his opinion in
regard to the skill or affability of his amiable
hostess. Early in the forenoon Mr.. Morton
took leave of his hosptable friends, being call
ed away by pressing affairs of business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thornton returned to their
accustomed avocations but it was with re
newed energy, and new sense of quiet happI
, ness no less deeply felt because unexpressed
A day or two afterwards Mr.. Thornton invit
ed his wife to accompany him to town, saying
he thought she might like to do some shopping
and she, with no apparent surprise but will
! heart felt pleasure, acceeded to the proposal
The following Sabbath the village gossips had
ample food for their hungry eyes, Ito be digest
ed at the next sewing society," in the appear
!, ance of Mrs Thornton at church clad in plain
but rich costume, an entire new outfit, whicl
thev could not deny made her look ten year
, younger
This was the beginning of the reform, ant
: it was the dawning of brighter day for th
\ husband and wife of our story. True, habit
e week, or month; and very often was Mrs
: Thornton tempted to yield to their long tol
Grated sway, but she fought valiantly agains
their influence, and in time vanquished then
An air of taste and elegance, before unknown
. now pervaded their dwelling, and year afte
h year the links of affection which united ther
r as family grew brighter and purer, even rs
d dating the holy spirit of Christian home.
n But i, was not until many years had passe
j. away, and our little Nellie now lovely maid
a en-, was about to resign her place as pet in he
If fathers household, and assume a new dignit
in anothers home, that her mother imparte
# to her the story of her own early errors, an
d earnestly warned her to beware of that insit
is ious foe to domestic appiuess-disregerd Q
>. little things,-and kissing her daughter wit
# maternanl pride and fondness. she thanked he
d for those simple, child-like words, whic
e changed the whole current of her destiny
!. Don't Pa like to see you look pretty