Shreveport daily news., 1861-06-07
INV, contented and happy. She had

room and parlor; but the next day
three or four drays drove up, and
presently Il handsome Brussels car
net was brought in; and then a very
nice set of damask curtains, half
dozen mahogany chairs. two divans.
a large rocking-chair, two or three
dozen books, (Msr:on's favorite vol
unes,) six magnificent pictures, MA
! rion's faSorites) and, last Of all, Ma
rion's grand piano.
"1our parlor furniture" said Mr..
Z Clifford, as he entered and received
NIarion's heartfelt thanks for his
thoughtf,llness and consideration
"It is very different from what you
have been accustomed" continued
Mr.. Clifford, "but it will do until we
can afford better.'
To most persons this home would
have appeared very elegant; and so
it was, but to Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford
it seemed very plain, when compared
to all they had been accustomed
There was very great difference be-
tween everything in their present
home and the one they had just left
TO Mr.. Clifford it was terrible come
down, but Marion succeeded admira-
bly, by putting self entirely out OF
the question, aud thinking only of
Mr.. Clifford and his happiness.
What if she did live in five rooms
instead Of a stately edifice. with end
less halls, countless rooms, and every
description Of magnificent furniture7
What it her best carpet was a Brus
sells instead of velvet, her curtains
damask instead of cut velvet? What
if she did have to attend to her own
child, be her own housekeeper, and
foot it every time she went to church,
shopping or calling! What if she
did have but one servant, and had to
i economise in everything, from the
smallest to the greatests What if
she could no longer attend the opera,
give grand parties, and be a leader of
the city, What if she was passed
by with a word, and sometimes with
out even glance by those she had
thought friends, and who We're once
proud of her acquaintance! What
of all this, and what, even if she had
to live and die poor, was she not a
christian, and was she not fast hast.
ening to a city whose gates were Of
pearl, and whose streets were of goldl
Was not God her father2 Were not
saints and angels to be he- future COM
'panionsa And had she not a promise
OF an eternity of bliss! With her
sublime faith she could not have been
unhappy had she been the poorest
beggar: then how could he she un-
happy with health and strength, Mr.
Clifford, Il comfortable home, a love-
~ child, many friends and assuran-
ces Of glorious immortality!
She had troubles and trials certain
ly, but for Mr.. Clifford there was al
ways a glad, happy welcome; and 40
sooner did he enter the house than
she made him forget all his troubles,
and drew him away from himself by
her sweet smiles, soothing voice, no.
hle thoughts, elevated sentiments, ex-
4uisite reading and splendid playing.
Each day she grew lovelier, each day
nob!er, until home was paradise on
earth, and the outside world far off
Country.
Eight years passed and again for
tune smiled Oh Mr.. Clifford ,and again
they went to their splendid home.
The cabinet and all the old pictures,
and statues were repurchased; the
old house-keeper and servants recall
ed, and the house was furnished ele-
gantly from top to bottom. On the
following spring Marien's long cher
ished dream, to visit the old world
was granted. Wealth again filled Mr.
Clifford S Golfers, but it was not hoard
ed up, neither was it thrown away in