The Lincoln County herald., 1869-06-17


business, but had laid by a surplus
yearly, ever since their marriage.
She taxed her ingenuity 10 savc In
every possible way, but when the monthly
bills were presented the same scene va,
enacted, only it grew worse and worse.
And this penuriousness extended to
himself. lilo grudgcd himself, as we'll as
his wife and children, clothing suitable
to his means and station, aud went about
looL ing so rusty and shabby that Mrs.
Toggard often felt ashamed of him, in.
wardly wondering II he could be the same
man who had wooed and won her.
With heavy sigh Mrs. Taggard took
up the roll Of bills upon the table, hoping
to dnd enough TO pay what was already
due-shc did not look for more.
An ejaculation of astonishment burst
from her lips % she unrolled the paper in
which IL Was folded. Il contained $500
In bills, and check for $500 more. ri
With look Of quiet determination In
her eyes, Mrs. Taggard arose to her feet.
"The family should now have some Of the
comforts to which they were entitled N
they never did again.
First she settled every bill; q heavy
weight being lifted from her heart as she
did so |; besides getting fresh supply Of
fuel and other comforts. Her next move
was to order new furniture for tho sitting
room and parlor, havo the hall re.car.
peted aud paperod, tho broken door step
meuded, and the fence and blinds painted
aud repaired. She took the children out,
and got them new garments, from hats
to shoes. She bought herself three new
dresses; a neat gingham for morning
wear, o delainc for afternoon, and somo.
thing nice for best. And before going
home she took the children into q toy
shop; delighting the boy with tho skates
he had so often asked for, and giving the
girl the chief wish Of her heart, o doll
ard dolls wardrobe-not forgetting somo
blocks for her baby, for like wise, Us
we'll as kind mother, Mrs. Taggard de.
sired to mako their childhood . happy
ono; something to look back upon with
pleasure through their whole after.lifc.
Neither was John forgotten by tho aid
Of some old garments for q pattern, she
got him On entire new suit, together with
stuff for dressing gown aud slippers.
The day on which Mrs. Taggard ex-
pected her husbands return was . very
busy one, but at last the carpets wero
down, the paper hung, aud everything in
"apple.pie order"
Ho was expected on tho Eve o'clock
train, and Mrs. Taggard set the children,
attircd in their pretty new dresses, at
the window to swatch for papa" while
she went below to assist Jane in preparing
something extra for supper. Sho had
just returned when Mr.. Taggard was seen
approaching the house.
1t looked so different from what it did
when he loft, that he stared at il in amaze.
ment, and would have hcsitatcd about en-.
tering, had it not been for the name Of
the newly FURNISHED door plate. But he
was still moro assouishod when no en-.
tered.
IAN I in my own house, or somo-
body's else ?" he CALCULATED, US he looked
around the bright and pleasant room.
ut is tho now furniture I have been
buying" said his wifo, smiling. "How
do you like it2"
"uave you been running mo in debt,
Mary"
"Not:in the least, John; it was oil
bought with the money you 80 goner.
ously left me when you went away.
"Mr. Taggard clapped his hand into
ono Of pockets.
"Good heavens |" ho exclaimed, in an
agitated tono and manner, II gavo it to
you out Of tho wrong pocket?"
Mrs. Taggard did not look at all US
tonished OF disturbed at this announce
ment on tho contrary, her countonance
wore very tranquil and smiling aspect.
"You don't mean to soy you've spout
II ?" inquired MIR. Taggard, desperately.
"Why, what else should do with it,
John? You told me to mako tho most
of it; and I rather think l have" e.
~ am ruined man !" groaned Mr..
Taggard. ''.... ..'.".,
"Not . bit Of il, my dear husband"
said his wife, cheerfully; "you wouldn't
bc ruined If you had given me twice that
amount. Besides, have saved enough
for our housekeeping expenses for three
months at least. / think you had better
give me allowance for that purpose in
future it will save Us both annoyance"
The children, who had been led to con.
slider what their mother had bought them,
IS "presents from papa" now crowded
eagerly around him. .,. a
Mr.. Taggard loved bis children, and it
would bo difficult for any one having the
kind aud tender heart that he really DOS.
ssssed, to turn away from the innooent
smiles and oaresses that were lavishsd
upon him. g" '..' al' -. l.
And whom his wife approached with
the dressing gown and slippers, he not
only allowed her TO induet him into them,
but returned the loving care.s with which
phe assured him Wthnt ho looked a vounQ