The mountain Democrat., 1864-04-23
five Only had . Piano.
BY MRS. HELEN C. KNIGHT.


This is pleasant. exclaimed the young
husband, taking his seat cozily in the
rocking chair, as the tea things were re.
moved. The fire glowed in the crate,
revealing prettiy aud neatly furnished
sitting room, with all the appliances Of
comfort. The fatiguing business of the
day was over, ana he sat enj ying, what
he had all day been anticipating. the de.
lights Of his own freside. His pretty wife,
Esther, took her work and sat down by
the table.
! 1t is pleasant 70 have home Of ones
own,' be said, taking a satisfactory sb-.
vey of his snug little quarters. The
cold rain beat against the windows, and
he thought he felt really grateful for all
his present enjoymentS.
Now if We only had piano + said the
wife.
Give me the music Of your sweet voice
before all the pianos in creation he de.
cleared, complimentary. despite a certain
secret disappointment that his wle's
thankfulneSs did not happily chime with
his own.
'WclI, but we want one for our friends,
said Esther.
Let our friends come to see US, and
not to hear piano!' exclaimed the hus-
band.
'Bnt, George, every body has piano,
now adnys; We don't go any where with
MT piano, persisted the wife.
And yet, l don't know what we want
me for; you will have no time to play on
one, and don't like to hear it,
why, they are 10 fashionable think
Cur room looks really naked without one.
'lthink it looks just right
Il think it looks very naked; we want
piano shockingly, protested Esther, en-
phatIcaly.
The husband rocked violently.
Your lamp smokes, my DEAR he said,
after long pause.
when are you going to get solar
lamp have told you dozen times how
much We need one, said Esther, pcttish-
ly.
Those will do
But you know, every body now "a, days
wants solar lamps
These lamps are the prettiest OF the
kind | ever saw they were bought in
Boston
But George, I do not think our room
is complete without solar lamp? said the
wife sharply; they are SO fashionable
why the D-s, BIS, and As, all have
them. | am sure We ought to-
we ought to, if we take pattern by
other people, and | don't see any reason
for that I'VE have to live within our
means, Esther replied George.
Il am sure thiuk we could afford it as
well as the BIS and LIS and many
others we might mention; we do not
wish to appear mean.'
Georges cheek crimsoned.
we want-we wanti muttered the
husband; there is no satisfying woman 5
wants, do what you may , ana he abrupt
" left the room.
How many husbands are in a similar
dilrmmay How many homes and hus-
bands are rendered uncomfortable by the
constant dissatisfaction of o wife with
present comfort and present provisions
How many bright prospects for business
have ended in bankruptcy and ruin, in
order to satisfy this secret hankering after
fashionable aecessarirs! lfthe real cause
of many failure could be known, it would
be found to result from useless expendi.
ture at home, expense to answer the de.
mandS of fashion; and what will the peo
pie say Of uSt
My wife has made my fortune said a
gentleman Of great possessions, by her
Thrift, prudence and cheer(ulness, when
was just beginning
And mine has lost nv fortune, answer
ed his companion. bitterly. by useless
extravaganza and repining, when was
doing WELL
What world does this open of the in.
huence a wife possesses over the future
prosperity Of her family Let the vile
know her influence, and try to use it wise,
ly and well.
DO not look at richer homes, and covet
their costly furniture If secret diSSatiS.
faction is ready to spring up. 60 on step
further. and visit the homes Of the poor
and suffering behold dark, cheeresS
Observation-Disclosures clothing. You
will then be prepared TO meet your hus.
band with grateful heart, and be ready to
appreciate that toll and self denial which
he has endured in the business world, to
surround you with all the delights Of
home; then you will be ready to cooper
ate cheerfulIy with him in so arranging
your expenses, that his mind will not be-
constantly harrassed with fears lest family
expenditures may encroach upon public
payments.
Be independent Ayoung housekeeper
never needed greater moral courage than
she does to resist the arrogance of fashion.
DO not let the AS and BIS decide what
you must have, neither let them hold the
StrinGs Of your purse. You know hest
what you can and ought to afford then
decide with strict integrity, according to
your means. Let not the censures or the
approval Of the world tempt you to buy
what you hardly think you car afford. It
matters little what they think provided
you are true to yourself and family.
Thus pursuing an independent, straight.
forward. consistent course Of action, there
will spring up peace and joy all around
you. SATISFIED yourself, you will make
your husband so, and yonr children will
feel the warm and sunny influence. Hap.
Py ct home, year husband eau 20 cot Into
the world with Q clear head, self.relying
spirit; domestic chickering's will not sour
his heart. and he will return to you again
with q conading and unceasing love-
Depend upon it. beauty. grace, sit. &C.
comPlishments. have far less TO With fam.
lily comfort than prudence, economy and
g'c9 senes A s1sbsa3 nay gst tirsd Of