The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-05

''Well, I'll tell you, Mary. You are pretty
TALL and one of these victorines wouldn't look
well on yorl-would look stingy, in fact. Bar
ton spoke of it first. He took the mate to this
for his wife. 1t was only fifty dollars" "a 7
Tears of affection gushed to the wife's eyes,
at this rather bunging attempt on her hus-
bands part, to disguise, under consideration of
feet and inches, the fact that he would not let
his wife wear cape inferior to Mrs. Barton.
She thanked him, and praised the cape with
all the enthusiasm he could desire; yet as she
continued to stand, smoothing down the CLOS
sy sable with her hands, twas evident some
unspoken thought was on her mind.
ats just what needed these cold days."
she said at last, "but l was rather hoping you
would get me nothing this year, in the way
of dress. didn't mean to ask you, because
there is something want so much more, and
which fear yon will not feel willing to grant"
Something you wanted more than the
farsw inquired the husband in disappointed
tone.
something very different, indeed" she an
swered, smiling in his sober face.
"Tell me what it is, then Is it anything
very expensive ?"lq5or0raD pr
90, no! And besides do not wish it all at
at once, but will take it in installments."
so, you want to subscribe to something. I
have guessed it." ...,,.-.,.,,-
"No" = ~ ~
sLife Insurance ?" sq ltsj's ,.s..t.l 4.t.,,5'tI'
"No, mol You'll never guess it; but if you
will stay at home with me this evening, I'll tell
you all about it. Not before, positively,
"WelL, I'll be on hand. Do you want a
term at M. Papillon's Academy ?" MAJ, ,.',,
"How absurd Go about your business now
for the gentleman will commence calling
soon," and laughing she drove her husband
down the steps. .A9.u s-issf .a,9 il
Mr.. Bancroft kept his promise that evening
and the children had no words to express
their delight at the unusual spectacle of their
father sitting opposite their mother at the little
table before the fire, with the bright. lamp be-
tween them manina's fingers flying at their
sewing, and papa's foot on the cradle! How
glad they were. How proudly Charlie exhib-
tied his copy book, and rehearsed the piece he
was to speak on Friday in school; how oblig-
ing Julia played piece after piece, even the
hackneyed Seigh-ride- Gallop, which she had
practiced till she couldn't bear the sight of itn
and how surprised her father was, that she
had become so proficient. 1t was happy
New Year indeed!
Several times during the evening, Mr. Ban
croft reminded his wife of her promise to dis
close the object Of her aspirations, but she had
put him of with Swait until the children are
in bed" As soon as they were gone he renew
ed the inquiry.
"Well, Charles, it is something very precious
indeed. 1 know it WELL for you have Just Civ
en- me the first instalment," '-.-.r u.
What do you mean, Mary?"
.sMy dear husband. l want you to give me
o ernsngs. Ihavc just had one, and oh,
how delightful it has been. 1t has compensat-
ed for many lonely hours that are gone with
the old year." The quivering of her voice
warned her to stop here
why Mary, have you been yeyy lonely in
my absence? Pm not gone every evening, Pm
sure" 80 ''' 1'' '-e'
allow many evenings do you think YOU have
spent at home 10 the last two months pn :
so, L don't know. Average two week.
perhaps" INV -
ut has averaged twoa month, with the ex-
20, you're mistaken, Marym
II can convince you" And she did SO. G
snow, Charles, it is not simply for my own
sake that have made this request. but for
our chiIdren's, and perhaps a little for your
own. Charley is such social, demonstrative
little fellowi Sometimes he feels that he
rather hardly used because he is re-
CURED to spend his evenings 'moped up at
home with only women folksF His school
mates taught him that-those who pass half
tneir nights IN the streets, and in haunts
when to see your boy enter, would make you
snudder: he talks to me, and asks questions
constantly, SO that grow fatigued and am
glad when he'ehooses to go to bed IN advance
OF his time. OFTEN, too, the children need as
slstance IN ther lessons which am NOT com
petent to give. Many an example in ar;tb b
tic is passed over, because their little heads
cannot puzzle it out themselves, mother too
ignorant to help, father not at home and tb Thy
school teacher too busy to give more than cen.
eral directions. Then it has grleved me much
to think that your club-room, aud other re-
sorts perhaps more Objectionable, could always
win you from me, while found it so difficult
to win you from them. Have asked an ex-
travagant gift, Charley ?'. IN. -......o !,
Not so extravagant but that am glad YOU.
asked it. really did not consider that so
much of my time was passed away from nv
family. Sometimes l haze thought that I
wasn't well enough acquainted with my chill
dren, but knew your thorough ways, and
trusted all to you. 1t has been heavy bur-
den, know, and henceforth will be more
ready TO share it with you. 1t hurts me to
think you have felt loneliness SO often. / SUD
pose you have spent most of the time in read