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

visitor remembered that it was child
less home,-there were no tiny feet to
tread upon those gorgeous carpets,-no
little hands to disarrange those curious
ornaments on the e;egere,-n0 young
faces to be reflected in those full length
mirrors-and she said to herself, 81 would
not give my Charley for them all"
Just then the rustic of brocade was
heard, and Mrs. Thorntoa l&nguidiy en-
tered the room. She was pale, haugh
ty looking person, but when she spoke,
there was a gentle cadence in her tones
that told she might have been all affoc-
tlonate 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 AID sad
After brief call Mary left, and as the
iron gate again changed behind her, she
gave sigh of relief, and FASTENED on to
Mrs. Livermore's who lived in the large
white mansion nearly opposite Judge
Thornton's. When Mrs Henderson took
her seat in the parlor, she needed no pre-
vious acquaintance with the family to as
sure her that children formed an imro't-
ant element of the household The floor
was literally strewn with toys; broken
headed doll lay on the sofa,-a rocking
horse stood in the room and Immediately
after her entrance noisy boy rushed in
and began bounding "A ball, at the emf
nent risk of mirrors and vases He was
soon followed by two little girls, with
dirty faces and aprons, who were quite
overwhelming in their attentions to Mrs.
Henderson's bonnet-strings and face
At last Mrs. Livermore entered wear
ing wrapper which might cnce avebeen
Of rich cashmere, bat which was now
quite too much soiled to be elegant. She
held her baby iu her arms, and although
its robe was of finely wrought cambric,
1t vas too crumpled and dingy to be ex-
cusable in the eyes Of Mrs. Henderson,
hHOSS lI&liS hdS Il
love of neatness and order The call was
as agreeable as could have been expected
under the circumstances. Mrs. Liver
more was an easy, atfaDle woman, but too
aud careless to govern her chill
dren, or to keep them and herself dressed
tidily No wonder that her husband,
who had been a prim and precise bache-
lor was deadly shocked at the appearance
of his house and family, or that he rarely
chose to spend an eTening amid such coz
fusion; which fact, together with her IN
ruly children, and inefficient domestics,
formed the staple of Mrs, Liyermores
on all occasions
Mrs. Henderson, again drew a long
breath as she turned toward Mrs Leigh's
tasteful cottage. Here all was in perfect
order the two children models of good
behavior, and Mrs. Leigh an excellent
and amiable person; but alas =! she was a
widow, and as Mary Henderson thought
how lonely it must be to tread life's path
way with no strong arm to lean upon, she |
prayed that she might Be truly grateful
for the love and devotion of her kind
husband
Her next call was at Mrs Stantoh's, a
large and showily furnished house, but
it was well known in Westbury that only
the most strenuous exertiCns enabled the
aspiring family "to keep up appear.
lnces" They toiled early and late, con-
-rived, pinched and scrimped in their
daily living and apparel, that they might
have the means for occasional display at
parties aud at church. Mary pitiel them
md thought how unsatisfying must sucha
life be all outside show, no pure home
enjoyment And again she felt thankful
for her own less ostentatious, bat far hap
pier lot.
The short Autumn afternoon was draw.
NC to a close, and she had time but for
lne more call, and that was on Mrs Lane,
he wife of her pastor The parsonage
was an attractive and cheerful looking
dwelling, lacking none of the appliances
2f wealth Mrs Lane was blessed with
4 devoted husband, and three beautiful
lnd affectionate children but she was q
confirmed invalid, and could not rise
rom the lounge in the sitting room, to
selcome Mrs. Henderson She was a
sweet looking intellectual woman, bat her
life was one Of WEAKNESS and suffering
md only the consultations of the religion
which she not only professed, but exem-
)lded in all things, enabled her to en-
lare her pain and languor with SO much
neekness and patience. Again did Ma
VS. conscience reproach her,-with the
priceless boon of health, how could she
;all herself poor?
She now returned with light step,
yut lighter heart, to the little cottage
rom whose windows she already saw a
iuht hnaminp invitinplv The cosev sit