Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-01
A Story for Christmas, 1865.

radiant December morn the refulgent sun rays
gliding the spires of the metropolis, and decking its
dull pavements with golden iewclry. The spirit of
the glorious day infused its brightness into the hearts
of the multitude, who wended their way inspired
with new life by this draught of light and beauty. 4
group of loungers occupied the step. of the Gilmor
House, and Leonard Oakley, in passing recognized
his old friend Smth-the veritable John, of storied
fame. The pair shook hands cordially.
Fine day" said the latter. by way of sautation
Why, how smiling you look, he pursued. contem-
plating Oakley's cheerful physiog
Yes" complacently responded the other THE
fact is Pm particularly happy"
'The secret? ?" queried Smith-but hold!" 1 have
1t! You have made fortunate spec, in OIL
Nothing of the kind; don't dip in the article"
Then you've cOntract-Government, perhaps"
"Pshaw! don't you know the days for those things
have gone by?"
True"
No, you haven't guessed; but for all that, I'm
happy. Now for the reason. It's holiday times and
I'm going to play Sir Bountful"
"Oh, is that all?" excIaims Smith, with a moody
sigh.
All?" It's quite enough think but I say, what's
the matter with you' Considerably downcast, now 1
take good scrutiny
Simply" retorts the ubiquitou. Smith, Tn
miserable"
And what is the trouble? interrogatcs his friend
"Oh, the old story
Domestic trials?"
Yes, you have hit it. Wife sorry she ever mar
ried More trouble and more to do than any other
woman in the world! Family cares, family sewing
family needs, from morning until nght!'
L sympathize with YOU
"Sympathize! al but you can't cues. the half of
it. When married. believed firmly and fully that
should always be of sufficient consequence in my
own house to have my wife devote at least ten
m in he laU 10 INV hub, ,rol1
preach, coax and demonstrate, and the only reply
that meets my grievances is, that she hasn't time
Oakley bent his brows in earnest thought, while
Smith relapsed into gloomy silence.
Suddenly ray of light irradiated his companion s
countenance. "Eureka!" he burst out, joyfully.
Smith, my dear boy relief for all your diff
cultes. You want and must have reUersibls teeo!
in your family"
"A ,chat'" gasped Smith. in utter amazement.
"a reversible feed Once in possession, farewell to
all your trials and discomfors. This the work
right left please. keeps it out of your way
at will and is easily managed You cannot fail to
comprehend it. have lived through all the woes
you have depicted, and might still be suffering but
for this marvellous invention"
Explain yourself" persists the mystified Smith.
1T has attachment-a self-ddjuSting shuttle-
that prevents all tresome snarling and swapping
and insures steady, smooth movement you will not
fail to appreciate
But what in the world do you mean ?" calculates
his now thoroughly bewldered companion.
"A veritable little beauty-she is called Florence
the Florence"
Are you insane?" mutters J. s. do you forget
my wife is slightly inclined to Jealousy? Why. man
alive, you are patching up an arrangement to make
my home positive Tophet!"
Oakley, absorbed in his mental contemplatiOns.
scarcely hears his friends remonsrance but sezing
@ hlln w tne coat sleeve, e1clans Come along; can
coon snow you how 1t works, am convinced my ad-
wee Will prove blessing to you"
"A curse. rather" groans the unhappy John. But
Wnlthsr are you leading me?'
only a few doors from here-155 Baltimore street"
Like lamb being led to the sacrfcia altar Smith
gives himself up to his companions guidance
Perfection ITSELF, pursues his relentless cantor
ornamental, graceful, and yet SO simple and COM
Smith enters the mystic presence like one stupifed.
'ThereP said his tempter, with genial glance of
ADMIRATION; i!pd
There! Are you blind? Can't you see?"
"Why-why-why"-resp Smith stammer;nq
fearfuliy, and looking wonderfully confused-"Why
that's Sewing Maehine!"
Certainly it is-the Florence"
Why Why didn't @ y2g s,, tell me?"
After little reflection Smith concluded he had
better coincide and keep his Misunderstanding a se-
cret The remembrance of rendered him quite faint;
but in time he recovered to the truth of his friends
argument, and profit by it. He fell in love with the
SIMPLE yet elegant mechanism OF the Florence, its
facitles to stitch, hem, guage tuck and fell. and be-
fore he left the establishment dispatched of the
ssterh9od as Christmas souvenir to his grumbling
He parted from Oakley full of hope
vow 1e1 bonse mex. they met his rst greeting was owe
direction of bs saraR .nahks pointing the
and harmony. The florence is SAP a priceless gem.
u nad ~ way. every Benedict in the Monumental
household. am so happy and delighted with the
new ate al 81 things at home, that feel as if could
as Tcea 1A q nothing else from until Christ
Machine 'H' iioience ,o6 sewing "ifg