The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-22

CUnClnueu, Wnen L snow you Wnag ne
brought me home last Christmas.
81 shan't be brought to admit that he's
better than Edward You must make up
your mind to that, Julia," subjoined a
voice that somehow sounded, just then,
particularly sweet in the listening ear of
Edward Dexter.
All, well, III make an exception in
his favor, as it happens to be his wife to
whom am speaking - and this was fol-
lowed by moments silence, during which
Mrs. Ripley had thrown aside the folds of
her cloak, drawn gold watch from her
waist belt, and slipped it into Mrs. Dexter's
hand.
"What, gold watch ?-wliy, Julia!"
was the astonished exclamation which fol-
lowed, as Mrs. Dexter lifted up tie pretty
tine-piece and gazed at it admiringly.
Yes; isn't it a perfect beauty? |
always liked that rich, plain chasing so
mach and there's g>ld cap inside, also, p"
displaying the insiGe of her watch with
that childlike sort of pleasure which al
ways counts on sympathetic admiration
and delight in the beholder. "You can't
think, Charlotte, how perfectly taken
back with amazement was, when | found
itin my stocking, which Willard had hung
on the mantel, Christmas morning. l
rubbed my eyes several times to be GER
tain that | was awake"
"Well, you have got a kind husband,
Julia, that is certain" cordially responded
Mrs. Dexter; bnt somehow these words
did not give quite so much pleasure to her
husband as her former remark had done.
"1sn't he? thought that such gift
these hard times was terribly extravagant,
and told Willard so. But he said no; that
the watch was useful article, and that if
he were ever reduced to selling it, it would
probably bring nearly the money back
which he gave for it; and he wanted me
to have one present from him which
could look at and remember with peculiar
pleasure, for his sake, all the days of my
life; and, moreover, he said that I'd earned
the watch, by the six years of steadfast
economy which I'D practiced in my house,
hold"
"Wel), l congratulate you, Julia, both
on Willard and on the watch, /" responded
Mrs. Dexter and her husband felt shade
of sadness in her voice. He knew that it
did not spring from any envy at her
friends good fortune. His wife was above
such petty feeling, and would be gener-
ously glad in anything which brought
pleasure to Mrs. Ripley.
Sand, now, did. you have a pleasant
Christmas, Charlotte ?"
go, yes; but quiet one." The tones
were very ''quiet," too, which ran along
the words, and the husband felt that there
were no warm, bright memories to give
them color and animation. 81 gave the
day quite up to the children. Indeed, 1
was tired sitting up so late the night be-
fore to dress Mary's doll, and was out in
the early part of the evening hunting up
some toys for my boy and girl. You know
how children's hearts are set on these
things; and providing them always falls
on me, because Edward is so hurried with
business at this season of the year."
cts just so with Willard But l al
ways coax him into giving me an hour or
two for selecting the children's Christmas
toys; and l believe he enjoys it as much
as dO.' .e.. ...
81 know it but somehow / can't drag
Edward away from the store so that
have that part of the enjoyment to my
SELF
Probably Mrs. Dexter was not aware
how much regret, which touched Oh pain,
there was in her words, for she was too
true and loving a wife to insinuate by look
or tone anything which could reflect in the
slightest degree on her husband, or give
one the slightest reason to infer that he
vas not above reproach in all domestic re-
lations and obligations; but Mrs. Ripley
must have felt in the tones somewhat that
her friend would never have acknowledged
to her, for she said, quickly, and in half
colnmiserating way, .-. .t
go, well, You know, Charlotte, that
men never think of these things as we do.
Willard is quite marvel for the interest
he takes in such matters. But I've had to
draw him into it, and take most of the
credit o myself" ~"t
And then Mrs. Ripley looked at her
watch, and saw that i was an hour later
than she suspected, and rose at once to
leave. ...
Her friend did not detain her. She had
no Christmas gift to show!
Mrs. Dexter returned to the parlor and
ousied herself in arranging the vases and
DOCKS on the table, and her husband still
stood with his hands spread before the
srate nre, and an unusually thoughtful ex-
preston on his cOuntenance The truth is,
he was annoyed and disturbed, for it was
somewhat humiliating to feel that he had
been Wrought into comparison with the
husband OF his wife's friend, and that the
result had been unAattering to himse If.
The man moved uneasily, and rubbed his
hands briskly as this unwelcome thonoht
intrnded itself. Edward Dexter had q verv
comfortable degree of self-esteem. He
held his own opinions with tenacity, and
was not easily convinced that he could he
mistaken or enlightened in any matter re.