The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-06-04

ouC bdAcu hci iuScbuity w po'O ~ S'OiJ |
possible way, but when the monthly bills |
were presented the same scene was enacted, |
only it grew worse and worse.
And this penurousness extended to him. |
SELF He grudged himself, as we'll as his |
wife and children, clothing suitable to his |
means and station, and went around looking (
so rusty and shabby that Mrs Taggard often |
felt ashamed of him, inwardly wondering if |
he 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
find enough to pay what was already due
she did not look for more.
An ejaculation of astonishment burst
from her lips as she unrolled the paper in
which it was folded. 1t contained $500
in bills and check for $500.
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 are entitled, if they never did
again.
First, she settled every bll 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 the sitting-room and
parlor, have the hall re-carpeted and papered,
the broken doorstep 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 dresses; neat gingham
| for morning wear, delaine for afternoons;
and something nicer for best. And before
going home, she took the children into
| toy-shop; delightlng the boy with the skates
he had so often asked for, and giving the
| girl the chief wish of her heart, doll and
dolls wardrobe-not forgetting some blocks
for the baby. For like wise, as we'll as
kind mother, Mrs. Taggard desired to make
their childhood happy one; something to
look back upon with pleasure through their
whole after life. Neither was John forgot
ten; by the aid of some old garments for a
pattern, she got him an entire new suit,
| together with stuff for dressing-gown and
slippers.
The day on which Mrs. Taggard expected
| her husbands return was a very busy one;
but at last the carpets were down, the paper
hung, and everything in apple-pe order.
He 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 below to
assist Jane in preparing something extra for
supper. She had but just returned when Mr..
Taggard was seen approaching the house.
1t looked so different from what it did
when he left. that he stared at it in amaze
ment, and would have hesitated about enter
ing, had it not been for the name on the
newly FURNISHED door-plate. But he was
still more astonished when he entered.
Am l in my own house, or somebody's
else? he calculated, as he looked around the
bright and pleasant room.
1t is the new furniture I have been buy
4 1. e. al IVN,x Il
like it?'
'Haye you been runing me in debt, Mary?
Not in the least John; it was all bought
with the money you so generously left me
when you went away
Mr.. Taggard clapped his hand into one Of
his pockets.
Good heavensr he exclaimed, in an agitat-
ed tone and manner, Il gave it to you out OF
the wrong pocket!
Mrs. Taggard did not look at all astonish.
ed or disturbed at this announcement; on the
contrary, her countenance wore very smil.
ing and tranquil aspect
You don't mean to say you have spent
it? inquired Mr.. Taggard, desperately
why what else would do with it, john
You told me to make the most of it; and
rather think have
Il am ruined mani groaned Mr.. Taggard
Not bit of it, my dear husband, sale
his wife cheerfuly; you wouldn't be ruined
if you had given me twice that amount
Besides, ] have saved enough for our house
keeping expenses for three months, at least
l think you had better give me an allowance
for that purpose in future; it will save u
both much annoyance
The children, who had been led to consid
er what their mother had bought them a
, presents from papa, now crowded eargerl
t around him.
Mr. Taggard loved his children, and i
! would be difficult for any one having the kim
| and tender heart he really possessed, to tur
: away from the innocent smiles and caresse
q that were lavished upon him.
d And when his wife approached with tn
dressing-gown and slippers, he not only allow
ed her to induct him into them, but returne
: the loving caress with which she assured hiT
'that he looked as young and handsome q
e ever.
1t was smiling group that gathered roun
= the cheerful super-table. And Mr. Taggar
" from the gleeful children to the smiling fac
= of his wife, who certainly looked ten yeai
q younger, attired in her new becoming dress
e he came to the conclusion that though
Is might cost something to make his famil
comfortable, on the whole, to use commo
s. but expressive phrase, 'it paid.
|, We do not mean to say that Mr.. Taggar
~ was entirely cured; passion so strong is nc
~ so easily eradicated. But when the ol
, miserly feeling came over him, and he bega
:, to dole out grudgingly the means with whic
70 70 to make his family comfortable, his wi
~ would laughingly say: You are taking
out of the wrong pocket, John!-worC
l. which seemed to have a magical effect upo
3 both heart and purse-strings.
~ Let us take comfort as we go along ST
~ would often say, as she laid her cheek loving
:, ly to his; nor grudge our children the inn
" cent pleasures natural to youth, for the pu
y pose of laying up for them the wealth th'
:. is, too often, curse rather than a blessing
~ Il Hours at Home.
l. | IN A