National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-06-04
! ave some of the comforts to which
ney were entitled, if they never did

heart as she did so besides getting
a fresh supply of fuel and othercom,
forts. Her next move was to order
new furniture for the sitting room
and parlor, have the hall recarpeted
and papered, the broken door step
mended, and the fence and blinds
painted and repaired. She then
took the children out, and got them
new garments from hats to shoes.
She bought herself three new dress.
es; u neat gingham fo, morning
wear, q delaille for afternoons, and
something nicer for best. And be-
fore going home she took the chill
dren into toy shop, dclighting the
boy with the skates he had so often
asked for. and giving the girl the
chief wish Of her heart, doll and Il
dolls wardrobe, not forgetting some
blocks for the baby. For like a wise
as well as Il kind mother, Mrs. Tag
! gard wished TO make thcil childhood
Il happy onc-Somcthiug to look
back upon with pleasure through
their whole after life. Neither was
her husband forgotten; by the aid
of some old garments, tor Il pattern,
she got him an entire new suit, to-
( gethcr with stuff for dressing gown
aud slippers.
The day on which Mrs. Taggard
expected her husbands return was a
very busy one, but at last the car
pets were down, the paper hung,
and everything in apple pie order
lie was expected on the five
o'clock train and Mrs. Taggard set
the children. attired in their pretty
new dresses at the window to "watch
for papa while she went down to
assist Jane i'll preparing something
extra for supper. She had but just
returned when Mr.. Taggard was
seen approaching the house.
1t aooked SO different from what
it did when he left, that he stared
at 1t IN amaZcment, and would have
heSitated about entering had it not
been fer the name on the newly
! FURNISHED door plate. Bot he was
still more astonishcd when he enter
ed.
"Am in my own house, or some
body's else :" he calculated, as he
looked around tlc bright and pleas
cut room.
"lt is the new furniture | have
been buying" said his wife, smiling.
GLOW do you like it :"
"lIavc you been running me in
debt, Mary ?"
"Not in the least, JChn; it was
all bought with the money YOU 50
generously left me when YOU went
away"
Mr.. Taggard clapped his hand in.
to one of his pockets.
"Go0d heavens" he exclaimed,
in an agitatcd tone aud manner, II
gar, il 10 yoH ont Of the 'croHg poch'
ct!'
Mrs. Tagcard did not look at all
astouished or disturbed at this an.
uounccment; on the contrary. her
countcnancc worca smiling and tran
quill aspect.
"lou don't mean to say that you
have spent it," inquired Mr.. Tag
gard. desperately.
"WhN, what else should ! do
with it. John! You told me to
make the most OF it, and rather
think | have
I'm ruined man" groaucd Mr..
Taggdrd.
Not a bit Oft, my dear husband,
said his wife. ehccriully; You would
not bc ruined if YOU hld given mc
twice that amount. Besides,
have saved enough for our honSc
keeping eXponces for three months,
. at least. think Nou had better
give me an allowance for that pur
p0Sc in future it will save lis botl
much annoyance
The children, who had been LED
to consider what their mother had
bought them as presents irom'papa,
now crowded eagerly around him.
Mr.. Taggird loved his children
and it would be difficult for any ont
having the kind and tender heart
that he really possessed to turI
away from the innocent smiles ant
{ caScSscs that were lavlShed upon
him.
And when his wife approache,
with the dressing gown and slippers
he not only allowed her to induc
him into them, but returned the lov
ing care sscs with which she assure,
r him that he looked as young ant
handsome rs ever
; 1t was n smiling group that gath
, cred around the cheerful supper "a
, hlr. And us Mr.. Taggard glance,
from the gleeiul children to The
smiling face of his wife, who certain
~ looked ten years younger, attire,
) in her new and becoming dress, Ii,
came To the conclusion that though
> IL might cost something to make hi
family comfortable, on the whole, t.
use II common but expressive phrase
; 1T paid
: We do not mean to say that MI
Taggard was entirely cured; II pas
| sion so strong is not 40 easily cradl
Gated. But when the old mlscrl.
feelings came over him, ana he he
I gan TO dole out grudglngiy tn
means with which to make his FAM
~ comfortable, his wife would laugh
ingly say; 'You are taking 1t on
!. of the wrong pocket, 'Iohnv-word
4 - "A InIlLnl al