The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-09-25

Who still, tho blessed, new blessings crave
That we may all have what we like,
Simply, by liking what we have u
"Mary," said Charles Henderson TO his
wife, as they rose from their noon-tide
repast, 'this would be pleasant day for
you to 20 out calling can't you go?"
81 suppose I COULD was the reply,
''but should have to take Charley with
me, for | promised Jane she might have
this afternoon.
"Wen, then, draw Charley down to the
store and III take care of him, said MIR.
Henderson kindly and as his wife follow
ed him to the door, he gave her good
bye kiss, and walked with elastic tread
down the neatly graveled path leading to
the little white gate.
Mary stood looking after him with a
loving eye, and thought "what dear,
good husband he is | ought to be very
thankful"
1t was lovely day in October, ami
the breeze stole gently through the Grim
son vine leaves clustering around the pl
azza of tncir cosey cottage home. Mr..
Henderson was engaged in mercantile
business in the thriving town Of West
bury. Industrious and frugal in his hab-
its, he babe fair to become a successful
merchant; and his young wife was ever
ready to lend a helping hand, and By her
economy and tact, aided him more than
either of them realized. Nevertheless,
she was not always contented with their
still humble lot, although she seldom
troubled her husband With any complaint
Many of her acqualntances moved IN
higher circle Of society, and she was by
no means insenSibie to the inferlorlty of
her furniture aud dress, when compared
with theirs and it must be confessed
that the remembrance of this fact some
times caused he, an unhappy hour.
On the afternoon in question, these re
pining thoughts thronged unbidden round
her heart, and soon gained undlsputed
possession of that citadel. She turned
away from the door with lIstiess air and
ascended the stairs to her own room
How cheap the pretty cottage set looked
! in comparison with Mrs Thornton's ele-
CANT rosewood furniture The white
window shades, too, were vastly inferior
to the costly curtains that draped the
windows Of her aristocratic friend and
how low the ceiling was and how mean
the ingrain carpet seemed to her amhl-
/ tious vision And as she began to make
her toilette for the afternoons walk, she
calculated impatiently:
"Oh dear! I've nothing fit to wear
Nv black silk looks so dowdy, and then,
I've worn it so much and my blue is at
least two in3has too short. | do think
/ Charles mi ght LET ms have new dress );
but its always the way, a merchants
wife must be the last one served. Well!
she concluded with a sigh, II must wear
the black :" and as she fastened the de
spised dress she could not help mentally
confessing that it fitted her form admlra-
/ blv. and although more than two years
old, had borne its age remarkably we'll,
/ Her neat straw hat, with its bright fall
ribbons and flowers, was very becoming
and her street basque, just the style, al
/ though made out of her old cloak. Her
kid gloves were pot new, but we're free
from those untidy rips which too many
ladies leave unmenCed. Surely these
articles of apparel were not indicative of
extreme destitution
Before donning her outer wrappings,
however, she prepared her tweve-month
bov for his visit to "Papas store" \
fine little fellow was the pet Charley, and
when clad in his new merino dress, with
pretty cloak and fancy hat, he might
we'll be looked upon by loving eyes, with
fond and proud affection.
Jane helped her mistress draw the 1T
tie carriage down the steps and out OF
the gate, and Mrs Henderson proceeded
on her way in rather more desirable
frame of mind
She met several ladies who stopped to
kiss Charley, and call him "a jewel, "a
beauty" and "a splendid boys" and ar
rving at her husbands store, he greeted
her with his accustomed kindness, and
proudly Lifted his darling boy from the
carriage, and telling his wife to enjoy
herself all she could, and be at home at
tea time, he again bade her good bye
Her first destination was Mrs. Judge
Thornton's the brown stone house on he
hill she was one of the elite OF West !
bury. As Mrs. Henderson opened the
heavy iron gate, and walked up the box
edged walk, she gazed half enviously up.
on the elegant mansion and its tasteful
surroundings The yard was very large
containing fine trees and shrubbery; vases
of geraniums. and mounds of verbena and
heiiotrope, while fountain threw Its
crystal spray high up in the autumn sun
shine, falling again with musical sound
into its marble basin.