Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-07-12


broad braids which Charles used so much to
admire in the days of her girlhood.
The unwonted task brought back many re-
miniScences of those long vanished years. and
tears glistened in her eyes as she thought of,
the many changes time had wrought in those
she loved, but she murmured, What hath
sadness like the change in ourselves we find ?"
| \ that hour she realized how an apparently
trivial fault had gained the mastery over her,
and imperceptibly had placed a barrier be.
tween her and the one she loved on earth.-
True, he never chided her,-never apparently
noticed her altered appearance, but she well
knew he no longer urged her going into socie-
ty, nor did he seem to care about receiving his
friends at his own house, although he was a
social nan, and had once felt proud to intro
duce his young wife to his large circle OF &C
quaintances.
Now, they seldom went out together, ex-
ceptng to church, and even dressing for that
was generally too much Of an effort for Mrs.
Thornton,-s would stay at home "to keep
house." after preparing her little ones to ac-
company their father, and the neighbcrs soon
ceased expecting her at public worship or in
their social gatherings SO, one by one,
they neglected to call on her until but very
few of the number continued to exchange
friendly cylitieS with her. She had wonder
ed at this, and felt mortified and panied here
tofore now she clearly saw it was her own
fault, the vail was removed from her eyes, aud
the mistake of her life was revealed in its true
enormity. Sincerely did she repent Of her
past error, calmly aud seriously resolved on
future aud immediate amendment.
Meanwhile her hands were not idle, and
! at length the metamorphosis was complete
/ The bright piuk drapery hung gracefully about
/ her form, impartlng an unusual brancy to
/ her complexion, her best wrought collar was
/ fastened with a costly brooch, her husbands
wedding gift which had not seen the light for
many day. Glancing once more at her mir
ror, to be certain her toilette needed no more
finishing touches, she took her sewing, and re-
turning to the sitting room
Little Nellie had wearied Of her picture
book and was now playing with the kitten
As Mrs Thornton entered she capped her
hands in childish delight, exclaimed, "Ob,
Ma, how prettv-prctty !" and running to her
kissed her again and again, then drew her lit
tie chair close to her sjde and eagerly watch
ed her as she piled the needle, repairing the
gngham dress.
Just before it was complete Ncllie'S broth
erS came from school, and pauSing at the half
opened door, Willie whispered to Charlie,
" guess we've got company, for mothers all
dressed up" 1t was with mingled emotions of
pleasure and pain that Mrs. Thornton observ-
Ell her children were unusually docc and ODE
dient Fastening to perform their accustomed
duties without beiGg even reminded of them
Children are natural and unaffected lovers of
the beautiful and their intuitiye perceptions
will not often suffer from comparison with the
opinions of mature worldly wisdom. 1t was
with feeling of admiration that these chill
drcn now looked upon their mother, and seem
ed to consider it privilege to do something
for her 1t was let me get the kindngs,
:" l will make the fre,"-and may | fill
the tea kettle !''-iustcad of, as was sometimes
the case "need do it ?'-"I don't want
to-" why can't Willie ~
Nellie was too small to render much assist
auce but she often turned from her frolic with
her kitten, to look at her mother aud utter
some childish remark expressive of joy and
love.
At last the clock struck the hour when Mr.
Thornton was expected, and his wife proceed
ed to lay the table with unusual care, and to
place thereon several choice viands of which
she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile let US form the acquaintance of
the absent husband and father, whom we find
in the neghboriHg town, just completing his
DAVIS traffic lie is a fine looking, middle
agcd man, with an uumistakable twinkle of
kindly feeling in his eye, and the lines of good
humor plainly traced about his mouta-we
know at glance that he is cheerful and indul
gent in his family, and are at once prepoSSeSS- |
ell in his favor.
AS lie is leaving the store, where he has |
made his last purchase for the day, he is ac-
costed in a familiar manner by tall gentle |
man Just entering the door. He recognizes an |
old friend and exclaimS, George Morton is |
it YOU 2" The greeting is mutually cordial
they were friends in boyhood and early youth |
but since, Mr. Morton has been practising law
in distant city, they have seldom met, and |
this is no place to exchange their many queS
tons and answers Mr. Thornton's fine span
of horses aud light democrat are standing
aear by, and it needs bat little persuasion to
induce 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 exper
ienccs of after life, and compare their 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 flashes on Mr. Thorn
TONS mind as they drive along towards their
destination. At once his zeal in the dialogue
abates, and he becomes thoughtful aud 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 YER
dure of June, while the lofty mountain ranges
look blue and dim in the distance lie cannot |