Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-03-01

ty Mountain ranges look blue and dim in
the distance. Hecannot help wondering
If they will find his wife in that sorry pre-
dicament in which he left her that morn
ing, and involuntarily shrinks from in
Producing so slatternly parsonage to his
refined and cultivated friend.
But it was too late to retract the polite
invitation-they are near the old "home-
stead" - one field more and his fertile
farm and its well kept fences appear in
view. Yonder is his neat white honse,
surrounded with elms and naples. They
drive through the large gateway, the man
John comes from the barn to put up the
horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurries up tho
walk to the pizza leaving his friend to fol-
low at his leisure he must see his wife
first and if possible hurry her out of sight
before their visator enters. He rushes in
to the sitting room-words cannot ex-
press his amazement-there sits the very
image of his lovely bride, and the self
conscious blush mantles his cheek as he
stoops to kiss her with words of joyful
surprise-"Why, Ellen p He has time
for no more; George Morton has follow
ed him, and he exclaims. "Ha Charley,
as lover-like as ever, hasn't the honey
moon set yet o. and then he is duly pre-
sented to Mrs. Thornton, who under the
pleasing excitement of the occasion, ap-
pears to far better advantage then usual.
! Tea is soon upon the table. and the gen.
tlemen do ample justice to the tempting
repast set before them. A happy meal it
is to Charles Thornton, who gazes with
admiring fondness upon his still beauti
ful wife. Supper over, Mr.. Morton coaxes
little Nellie to sit on his lap, but she
soon slides down, and climbing her faith
er's knee whispers, confdentially, "Don't
ma look pretty ?" He kisses her and
answers, "Yes my darling"
The evening passes pleasantly and
swiftly away, and many half forgotten
smile of their life's pilgrimage is recalled
by some waymark which still CLEANS
bright in the distance. They both feel
younger and better for their interview,
and determine not to become SO like
strangers again. Mr.. Morton's soliliquy
as he retires to the cozy apartment appro-
priated to his own use, is-"Well that is
a happy family What lucky fellow
Charley is-such pretty wife and chill
dren, she so good a housekeeper, too J.
Maybe III settle down someday may
SELF - which pleasing idea that night
mingled with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thornton watch
ed his wifes movements with some ankle
ty-he could not bear to have destroyed
the favorable impression which he was
sure she had made on his friends mind,
and yet some irresistible impulse forbade
his offering any suggestion or alluding in
any way to the delicate subject so long
unmentioned between them. But Mrs.
Thornton needed no friendly advice
with true womanly tact she preceived the
advantage she had gained and was not at
all inclined to relinquish it. The dark
gingham dress, linen collar and snowy
apron formed an appropriate and becom-
ing morning attire for housekeeper, and
the table afforded the guest no occasion
for altering his opinion in regard to the
skill or affibility of his amiable hostess.
Early in the forenoon, Mr.. Morton took
leave of his hospitible friends, being call
ed 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 expressed. A day or two after
wards Mr.. Thornton invited his wife to
accompany him to town. saying he
thought sine might like to do some shop
ping. and she, with no apparent surprise,
but with heartfelt pleasure acceded to the
proposal. The following Sabbath, vii
lage gossips had ample food for their hun
CRY eyes; Ito be digested at the next sew
ing society in the appearance of Mrs
Thornton at chusSb clad in plain bue rich
costume, an entire new outfit, which they
could not deny "made her look ten years
younger.
This was the beginning of her reform,
and it was the dawning of brighter day
for the husband and wife of our story
True, habits of this kind are not conquer
ed in week, or month and very often
Mrs. Thornton was tempted to yield to
their long tolerated sway, but fought val
iently against their infience and in time
Suc NhHqulsneu tlleui. All alt VI IaSte
and elegance, before unknown, now pre-
vades their dwelling, and year after year
the links of affection which united them
as family, grew brighter and purer ever
radiating the light of christian home.
i But it was not until many years had
passed away, and our little Nellie, now a
lovely maiden, was about to resign her
place as pet of her fathers home, that her
mother impaired to her the story of her
own early errors, and earnestly warned
her to beware of that insiduous foe to do
mestic happiness-disregard Of lille things
and kissing her with maternal pride end
fondness, she thanked her for those sim
pie, childlike words, which changed the
whole current of her destiny:-Dont Pa
ike TO see yoa look pretty?"
WoRK RESUMED ON THE ATLANTIC AM
GREAT WESTERN RAIRoAD.-Those of on
! readers interested III the completion of thi
great thoroughfare. will be gratifed tt