Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-10

over thousand good, substantial works. On
table were drawing, painting and writing
materials, while IN "A recess, constructed ON
{ purpose, stood a beautiful house organ.-
Thomas was on the point Of speaking when
one Of the doors were opened, and a female
entered She started back on seeing such a
party and would have Instantly withdrawn
had not the host called her back.
Here Susan he said "somo of my
friends have come TO see our little cage
my wife, gentlemen
The young lady turned back into the room,
aud with a sweet smile welcomed her hus.
bands guests She was a lovely, beautiful
woman, just the companion for man with
such tastes as young Thornley, displayed
I Can we have some fruit 2" the host ask
ed after his wife had saluted the company.
think | eau find some" replied the
wife; and thus speaking, she left the room
Now boys, said Thomas, you see here
some Of my sources Of pleasure | suppose
that the articles in this room have cost me
no less than $4,000. II is quite a sum, but
| had money to spare and | laid it out after
my own tastes. You see that painting there
over the mantel bought that last week, it
is either one Of Murilo's or an excellent
copy, but think it is an original. bought
il Of gentleman who attended the sale Of
an estate in Seville, and this he obtained
there. Did you ever see such exquisite
touches ?"
All admired the picture, and while they
were looking round upon the others, the
young hostess returned, accompanied by
servant, bearing trays Of fruit There were
peaches, pears, grapes and some beautiful
plums. The repast was luscious and when
it was finished, Thornley, arose and asked his
friends to follow him into the garden. Here
they found about an acre Of land laid cut into
orchard, vineyard, aud tillage, and looking
neat and tidy Here and there were little
trellised arbors, within which were mossy
seats, while flowers and grapes hung over
head
Here" said Thornley,, spend some
Of my leisure time, and | assure you | find
much pleasure in the cultivation Of my fruit
My wife attends to the flowers, while | at
tend to the trees and vines While the sun
shines we find pleasure here and when the
night comes we repair to the library, where
music and reading gives Us pleasure and pro-
it, Then again, | sometimes have leisure
hours from my business when the weather
will not permit us to work in the garden.
We then, write draw and paint But come
let us 60 in once more and you shall examine
my library
The party repaired to the house, but could
not stay long, for some Of them had engage
ments
And now said Thornley,. after his
friends were ready to retire, you have seen
my sources Of pleasure. Every industrious
man with fair fortune may have the same,
though many may not 90 so far as have
gone; but | only speak in general terms. If
| could only find pleasure in the sports you
have tried TO urge upon me, you may be as
sured that | would not only join in them,
but | should also pay my part Of the expenses
cheeriully But such things have no real
pleasure for me-not generally. Once in a
while love to sail, and | love social gather
ings but my fullest joy is here, with my
wife, my books, my music, my pictures and
my garden. My home is open to you when
ever you may wish to join me in nay kind Of
pleasure and you may be assured that you
will ever be warmly received And one
thing will tell you. have subscribed Sl.-
600 to the new Atheneum in the ,ity, and
whenever any Of you may wish to visit there
and see the splendid specimens of art there
collected | will give you pass"
The party had reached the verandah on
their way, bnt they hesitated, as though some
thing should yet be said At length James
Pearce said
" As | commenced the discussion that led
to this pleasant visit, | ought to say what
think to De the truth now Tom, you are
right. Your pleasure is surely better than
ours, for it has more wear to it, and-well,
may as well tell the truth-has more sense in
it. Ill never find fault with you again but
one thing | will do will accept your in
yitaton to spend an occasional evening
here
All agreed with Pearce and when they
turned away from Thornleys home they were
wiser than before They had learned what
they had not previously understood and that
was, that there was another kind Of real
pleasure besides that which they followed
Argument might never have convinced them
but one good look at their friends home, and
an understanding of his domestic arrange
menis opened their eyes Never again did
they ask Thomas Thornley, to accompany them
on any of their scrapes, but they did often
visit him, and they were not long in finding
that an evening spent beneath his roof, with
music and sensible conversation, and simple
collation. OF fruits and nuts, was better by far
than wine supper, with its bosterous laugh
and Jest, and consequent depression and
headaches of next morning.