Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-10
M ISCELL A N Y


New Furniture-A Wife Worth Having.
"Wife," said Edward Lincoln, as he settled
himself on the sofa, one evening after tea, 1--WE
must have some new furniture for this parlor,
there's no two ways about it; ours is getting to
look decidedly shabby"
"Do you think 500" quietly replied Mrs. Lin
coln II thought it looked very comfortable
and nice here," and her eye glanced with a
housekeeper's pride over the room, which GiG
wear an aspect of taste and comfort, though ev-
ery article of furniture was the same which was
bought at the time of their marriage, ten years
before.
Nothing was new; but the ingram carpet was
of bright, fresh colors, and of such graceful pat
tern that it was still pleasing to the eye; there
was a large, well.flled bookcase, some pretty
eDgravings scattered about the walls and side
tables, and the centre-table, with its brightly
burning solar-lamp, its little vase oflowers, and
its work basket, books and papers, wore the
coziest look imaginable while the sofa on
which Edward Lincoln was lying, though COW
cred with inexpensive material, matched the
carpet and paper, and looked the very picture of
ease and comfort. Refined taste and culture
were visible in the arrangement of every article,
as well as the hand of the neat, thrifty house,
wife; well might Mrs. Lincoln say, ''everything
looked nice and comfortable"
ssWhy, yes, comfortable enough, perhaps" re-
Joined her husband, "but so old-fashioned, and
behind the times! There's John Waters has
Just had both his parlors newly furnished, and
can tell you, Helen, things look elegant there
The carpets and curtains are really splendid, and
the sofas and chairs are covered with damask of
a beautiful pattern. haven't seen anything so
handsome for long time; ours looked diDgy
enough when came home."
After little pause he added, 81 know John
Waters isn't any better able to furnish his house
in that style than am and the Brights and
BENEFITS, too, what rich and costly furniture
they have! The truth is, Helen, don't think
you are quite ambitious enough about the ap-
pearance of things. | have made money in my
business the last five years, and we can really
afford now to live little more like other peo-
pie. Don't you feel little mortified sometimes
when callers come 2"
''Not at all, Edward, because know every
thing is in good taste and nice order; and as we
make no pretentions to elegance, we are not ri
diculous if we are plain. But" she eaid, laying
her hand softly in her husbands, II am ambi-
tious of one thing, dear Edward; it is to make
happy home for you and the children. If
fail here, shall indeed be bitterly disappointed"
20, Helen, certainly our home is one of the
dearest and best in the whole wide world; and
know it is your self-denying industry and
affection that makes it so. No man loves his
home better than do, but, y be added laughingly,
II do think it might be made t-ife happier by
some Brussels carpeting, and damask sofas and
curtains"
81 don't think so," said Helen, ''and that is
why cling so fondly to this dear old furniture;
it is 30 homelike, SO full Of charming and tender
associations. Home might be made more stylish,
more snowy and brilliant, but not more happy
doubt that! How cold and cheerless that ell
egant parlor of the Benefits looks! 1t is too
handsome to be used, and the chairs and sofas,
even the very books and vases on the centre-ta-
ble, have touch me-not company look about
them; aud instead of having cheerful sitting
room, as they once had, they now keep in that
dark, dingy dining-room, except when callers
come; and dare say, poor John Waters won't
get half SO comfortable maps in that magnificent
lounging chair, as he did in the old chlntz COW
cred one. No. really believe their home hap
piness will be lessened, rather than increased by
the change"
81 don't want things too good to use; con-
fess that would be foolish. But I should use
them just the same, if they were handsomer."
"Would you2 Just fancy yourself, you lazy
man, stretched out on one of those superb GRIM
son danask sofas. You couldn't do it comfort
ably to save your life, and you need not pretend