Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-04-22
"THAT WHICH sATIsFIETH. -.
A LIFE LESSON.

81 declare" said Abner Leeds, speaking tc
his wife, as they were walking home one eve
ming, "Philip Twombly's house has a comforta-
Bile, cos appearance"
$50 il has" was the reply of the wife.
"How neat and well arranged Mary Twom-
bly, keeps everything pursued Abner. "She
is nm excellent woman"
The wife was thoughtful, and made no reply
to this.
81 did not mean, Julia, that she was better
than my own wife. Of course you didn't SO
understand me-"
"No, Abner; do not think you would find
fault with me. AT all events, | try not TO give
you OCCASION" Julia Leeds looked up with q
smile, and presently she added Mary Twom.
bly, is good housekeeper and warm devoted
friend. Still, | think her house is no neater
than mine"
"Of course it is not" said Abner.
"Qnly continued Julia, "she has more tc
do with. Our house is exactly like theirs in it.
construction it is finished in the same manner
and even the wallpaper is the same"
eyes," replied Abner. "Our houses were
built by the same man, and from the same
plan"
at is the addition of those pictures and pref
ty ornaments which make Twombly's room.
look so cheerful" remarked Julia. 80 how
much pictures do add to the attractiveness of 6
home. Don'tyou think so, Abner ?"
"Why-yes, Juia-I think they do"
Sand" pursued the wife, what fine pictures
they have. How neat and pretty the frames
are, and how tastefully they are arranged.
think | could arrange some very tastetully, too
if had them"
Abner Leeds did not reply at once to this
but finally he said, little obviously:
81 don't know, after all, Julia, as such things
are of any real benefit
80, yes, they are, Abner. Everything is
benefit which helps to make home cheerful
and what is there in the way of ornament more
cheerful than good picturesP They are com.
panions. | should not be lonesome where there
were pretty pictures. Think, when you are
tired and weary, or when you are weak and
SICK how much comfort you can take in resting
the eye upon a cheerful picture. Pictures make
a room attractive; and surely we cannot have
too many attractions at home"
Abner Leeds liked pictures, and he knew
that his wife was aware of that fact so he could
not dispute her position. He could only say
81 admit all that, Julia but. you know can
not afford to buy pictures. have often
thought, when have been in Twombly's house
that | would like pictures and mantle orna-
ments like his but it's of no use 10 wish for
them. find no money to spare for such ex.
tras."
"I wish we could have few, Abner but
wouldn't wish for them unwisely. Perhaps, at
some time, you can afford TO purchase some"
At this juncture they arrived at their own
house, and entered the quiet little sittiug-room
where Julia's sister was caring for the two
bright-eyed children. The apartment was as
neat and tidy as any in the town but the wall,
were bare ard as Julia cast her eyes over the
vacant spaces, her thoughts could be easily read
How pleasant some pretty pictures would look
there and how much more cheerful the room
would be
Perhaps, as Abncr and his wife sat there af
ter the children had gone to he'd, their thoughts
took the same channel. Julia knew that Philil
Twombly did not receive any more wages thai
her husband did. She knew that they both
ownel their houses and that they both hat
about the same expenses to meet in the sup
port of their families. Julia thought of this
but she would not speak of it.; for she knew
her husband was not o spendthrif and if h
had any little habits which he wished to indulge
she would not find fault He was kind anc
generous, and true and faithful, and she price
him as q precious companion.
"You are thinking Of pictures Abner said
as he saw his wifes eyes wandering over tn
bare walls.
Julia started, but quickly replied, with
smile:
"Not selfshly, my good husband" Sh
kissed him, and then added-"Somet me, whel
you can afford it, you will buy me one, know
and until then | shall be content"
Abner kissed his wife in return and said tina
he would certainly buy picture when he ha
the money to spare.
Only few days after this Abner met Phil
Twomhly, and the latter had fine oil painting
under his arm.
"Come home with me and see it," said Phil
ip.
1t was only few steps TO Twomblys house
and Abner went with him. The picture was ia
ken from its wrapper, and proved to be beau
tiful landscape from some of the lake scenery c
New York and when it was hung in its plac
upon the wall it seemed really TO shed new ra
| dance ever the apartment. 1t was attractiy
and refreshing.
81 declare" said Ahner as he cast his eve
about over the pictures, 81 should like som
such as these but don't have the money
spare What did this landscape cos, P"
"The picture and frame, together, cost foul
teen dollars"
upon my soul, Philip, don't see how 20
can afford it,"
"Ah," replied Philip Twombly, with smil
| "theres secret in that"
"a seoretP"
ayes"
"What is itp"
am tell you, Abner. Just sit down, an
you shall know how afford these little attrI
ctions to my home"
Abner Leeds sat down, and Philip spoke
follows
"After we had been married year, or Ii
lie more, we went to visit my wife's uncle II
has great many very valuable pictures in h
house, and both Mary and took much plea
ure in looking at them. When we came hon
Mary often expressed the wish that we coul
have some pictures. wished as much as 81
did but wus not so free in the expression
my wish. because | felt that could not afior
such luxuries. One day, while we were in Il
bookstore, we saw picture which we both fsl
cieI II was an engraving--a scene from Shal
speare-there il hangs, in that gilt frame II
price was ten dollars Cor the picture and fran
Mary was very eager, hut had TO put her o
had la. 1Rlla IN, haN lin