Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-03-28
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH Is, 1861.
,raE FOLLY OF MRS. SIMoNS' DELAY.

THE FOLLY OF MRS. SIM0NS' DELAY.
Mr. David Simons purchased a rich farm
IN Western New York, which, though II
had not been highly cultivated, possessed,
the advanced Of tine buildings which "e"'o
Immediately accommodate his family miS
Simons was one of those chronic complain
ers whose nerves or neig hbors were Sene'l
allv ont of order. On this occasion sue iou"o =
f,nh for comnIaint in the fact that tneic ia"
haan No Garden improved and no trait pi''"'-
Mr. simons good naturally told her she
Ill ,ou- have opportunity TO eXercise ncl
o,~n +asta and skill But she ENORMOUSLY
".s;staa that it was too late i'll HE to wait
inr frees and shrubbery to grow; they should
never live to get reraid for their labor
Mr. and Mrs. Simons had only reached
healthy middle age, and this complaint
seemed the more absurd to the husband,
when he recalled with what indignation his
wife compelled any allusiOn to approaching
age.
Bnt an habitual compainer is never at i
Ioss for a subject; with the assldulty that
the bee aits from flower to flower collecting
iuices that are finally concentrated into pure
honey. does the grumbler extract the latter
from every event in lille, ana send IL Win
corrodng stiugs into the hearts that would
otherwise warm in rhe genial light that
glows around the home hearth.
Season after season passed unti! three
Years had left Mrs. SimOns house still stand
inc in the open yard surrounded neither ny
trees norornamental shrubs; no rlpening irult
filled the air with graceful fragrance, no
flowers varied the moaotony OF the greer,
award. Oaly patch OF vegetables could be
seen back of the house. The more sub
stantial fruits, Mr.. Simons bought by the
quantity in neighboring town and stored
them each season in his cellar.
The focks multiplied, and the fields wa
we'd with abundant haryests. for David SIM
ons, was first class farmer; but still Mrs.
Simons, as regurlarly complained OF the want
of fruits ana flowers as she did OF the pre-
sence of her morning headache.
When they had lived about three years on
the farm, Mrs. Simons proposed one palmy
June morning to paya long talked OF intro
ductory visit to family living five miles
distant, who came to the neighborhood the
same season that Mr.. Simons did. The ride
through a delightful country being accom-
plished Mrs. Simons almost doubted her
senses when her carriage stopped before
Mrs. Payson's gate.
A house, which, three years before was
erected in the open field, was now inclosed
in n ward about three hundred feet square,
and seemed TO her wondering eyes young
paradise of beauty and promise. Trees OF
chosen varieties were arranged through the
ward in graceful clusters or stately rows, or
scattered without order according to the char
acter Of the trees all mingling most CRATE
fully the richness and variety OF the Forest
Rose bushes were unfolding petals OF tie
most choice varieties of the queen Of flowers.
Arbors and arches twined with bittersweet,
cematIS, honeysuckle and cypress lent beau
tv and grace to the scene. Flowers and
shrubs Of every stage Of progress, here and
there dotted and grouped, and bordered,
garnishing the whole with the most exquisite
taste.
Good Mrs. Payson, who had enjoyed I'M
told pleasures in calling this beautiful scene
into existence, knew not what panSS she
sent to the heart of her visitor us she led her
through the grounds. Mrs. S!m"ns al.
most groaned when she reached thriving
fruit yard. Apples, pears, peaches, plums,
and cherries we're scattered sparSeiy over
the young trees, but with promise OF an
abundant future. The small summer fruits
as grapes, currants, and various berries
We're per!ecting in protusiOn on their bend
ing stems, while fragrant strawberries glow
ed in their emerald beds.
Mrs. -Simons having been RECALLED by her
kind hostess with luscious teaStOt straw ber-
ries and cream departed for home 4 wiser
and perhaps better woman. True 1t IS
that the improvements which she soon com
Inenccd around her home left little time for
complaining. fshe could not redeem the
time that was lost, she assiduousiy improved
that which followed; and long before her
"brown locks were silvered Ger" the most
beautiful flowers bloomed in her windows, and
the choicest fruits of the climate dropped at
her feet