Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-10-04

her Win us accustomed Kindness, ana
proudly lifted his darling boy from the
carriage, and telling his wife to enjoy all
she could, and be home at tea time, he
again bid her " goodbye"
Her first destination was Mrs. Thorn
toms, the brown stone Rouse on the hill;
she was one Of the eGte of Westbury.
As Mrs Henderson opened the heavy
iron gate, and walked up the box-edged
walk, she gazed half enyiously upon the
elegant mansion and its tasteful sur
roundings. The yard was very large,
containing fine treesanl shrubbery vases
Of gcraniums and mounds Of verbena and
heliotrope, wdile fountain threw ita
I crystal spray high up in the autumn SUI
shine, falling again with amusioal sound
into its marble basin.
She assembled the granite steps, and
rang the bell. and was aided by a servant
into dimly lighted parlor; she sat down
on the purple velvet tcte-a-totc. and look
ed about her Il was all marble, velvet
and rosewood; everything that fancy could
desire, Or art invent; but it looked too
formal, too faultlcss, and the visitor re-
membcred that it was a chiklcss home
there were no tiny feet to tread upon those
gorgeous carpets no little hands to dis
arrange those curious ornaments on the
etegers- no young faces to be reflected
in those full-length mirrors and she said
to herself, j would not give my Charley
for them all"
Just then the rustic of brocade was
heard, and-Dlrs. Thornton lauguidly en-
tered the room. She was pale, haugh-
4 ty-looking person, but when She spoke
there was a gentle cadence in her tones
that told she might have been an ahoe-
tionate and happy woman had love but
touched her heart with his magic wand
But the blessed ministry of children had
been denied her, and ambition WAS the
idol of her proud husband 1t was evil
dent that amid all the luxuries Of wealth,
she still felt lonely aud sad.
After brief call, Mary left, and as the
/ iron gate again changed behind her, she
gave o sigh Of relief and fastened on to
Mrs Liyermorc's, who lived in the large
white mansion nearly opposite Judge
Ihornton's. When Mrs. Henderson took
her seat in the parlor, she needed no pre-
yious acquaintance with the family to as
sure her that children formed an impor-
tant clement Of the household The floor
was literally strewn with toys; broken
headed doll lay on the SOFIA rocking
horse stood in the middle Of the room
and Immediately after her entrance a
noisy boy rushed in and began bounding
a ball, at the immediate risk Of mirrors
and vases.
lie was soon followed by two little
girls, with dirty faces and aprons, who
werequite overwhelming in their atten-
tons to Mrs. Henderson's bonnet strings
and face trimmings
At last Mrs. Liyermore entered, wear
ing a wrapper which might have once
been Of rich cashmere, but which was
now quite too much soiled to-be elegant.
She held her baby in her arms, and al
1 though its robe was Of finely wrought
cambria, it was too crunpled and dingy
to be excusable in the eyes Of Mrs. Hen
derson, among whose distinguishing traits
was q love Of neatness aud order. The
call gas as agreeable as could have been
expected under tue circumstances. Mrs
Liyermore was an easy, afIable wouan,
bat too lndolent and careless to govern
her children, or keep them ana herself
dressed tidily. No wonder that her hus-
band, who had been prim and precise
bachelor, was daily shocked at the APP
pearance Of bis house and family or that
he rarely chose 70 spend an evening amid
such coutusion3 which fact, together with
her unruly children, and inefficient do
mesEcs, formed the staple Of Mrs. Liver
more's conversation on all occasions.
Mrs Henderson again drew a long
breath as he turned toward Mrs. Leigh's
tasteful cottage. Here all was in perfect
order; tile two children models q good
behavior, and Mrs Leigh an exeelontand
amiable person; bat alas she was
widow, aud as Mary Henderson thought
how lonely it must be TO tread LIES path
way with no strong arm to lean upon,
she prayed that she might be truly CRATE
full for the love and devotion Of her kind
husband.
Her next call was at Mrs. Stantons a
large and sho@ily furnished house, but It
waswell known in Westbury, that but the
most strenuous cxcrtons enabled the as
piring family to "keep up Appearances"
They toilod early aud late, coutrived,
pinched, aud scrimpcd ia their daily liy-
ing and apparel, that they might have
the means for occasional display at par
ties and at church. Mary pitiel them,
and thought how unsatisfyiag must be
such life; all outside show-no pure
home enjoyment. And again she felt
thankful for her own less Vaccinations, but
far happier lot.
The short Autumn afternoon was draw
ing to closo, and she had time for but
one more call, and that was on Mrs Lane,
the wife Of The pastor. The parsonage
was an attractive and cheerful looking
dwelling, lacking none Of the appliances
Of wealth Mrs. Lano was blessed With
a devoted husband, and three beautiful
and afoctionate children; but she was a
confirmed invalid and could not rise from
the lounge in tho sitting room to welcome
Mrs Henderson. She was q sweet look
ing, intellectual woman, hut her life was
one Of wcarinoss and suffering, aud only
the consultations Of the religion which she
not only preicssed, but exemplided IN all
things, enabled her 10 endure her pain
and lanEuor With 50 much meekness and
ii