Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-09-16

the skates he had so often asked for,
and giving the girl the chief wish of
her heart, doll and a dolls ward
robe, not forgetting some blocks for the
baby. Mrs. Taggard wished to make
their childhood happy one-some-
thing to look back upon with pleasure
through their whole after life. Neither
was her husband forgotten; by the aid
of some old garments, for a pattern,
she got him an entire new suit, togeth-
er with stuff for dressing gown and
slippers.
The day on which Mrs. Taggard ex-
pected her husbands return was a yery
busy one, but at last the carpets were
down, the paper hung, and everything
in "apple pie order"
He was expected on the FIVE o'clock
train and Mrs. Taggard set the chill
dren. attired in their pretty new dress
es, at the window to ''watch for papa"
while she went down 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 amazement, and would have hesita-
ted about entering had it not been for
the name on the newly FURNISHED door
plate. But he was still more aston
ished when he entered.
cam l in my own house, or some
body's else?" he calculated, as he
looked around the bright and pleasant
room.
at is the new furniture l have been
buying" said his wife, smiling. "How
do you like it?'
''Have you been running me in debt,
Mary?"
'tNot in the least, John; it was all
bought with the money you so gene
rously left me when you went away"
Mr.. Taggard clapped his hand into
one of his pockets.
GOOD heavensi' he exclaimed, in an
agitated tone and manner, ~ gave 1t
to you out Of the aOrong pocket"
Mrs. Taggard did not look at all as
tonished or disturbed at. this announce
ment; on the contrary, her counte-
nance wore smiling and tranquil as
pect
"You don't mean to say that you
have spent it?" inquired Mr.. Taggard.
desperately.
"Why, what else should / do with
it John? You told me to make the
most of it, and rather think l have"
"I'm ruined mani" groaned Mr..
Taggard.
Not bit of it, my dear husband"
said his wife, cheerfully; ''you would
not be ruined if you had given me
twice that amount. Besides, have
saved enough for our housekeeping
expenses for three months, at least. l
think you had better give me an allow
ance for that purpose in the future; it
will save us both much annoyance"
The children, who had been led to
consirler what their mother had bought
them as presents from papa" now
crowded eagerly around him.
Mr.. Taggard loved his children, and
it would be difficult for any one hav
ing the kind and tender heart that he
really possessed to turn away from the
innocent smiles and caresses that were
lavished upon him.
And when his wife approached with
the dressing gown and slippers. he not
only allowed her to induce him into
them, but returned the loving caresses
with which she assured him "that he
looked as young and handsome as
ever"
1t was smiling group that gathered
around the cheerful supper table. And
as Mr.. Taggard glanced from the glee-
full children to the smiling face of his
wife, who looked ten years younger,
attired in her new and becoming dress,
he came to the conclusion that though
it might cost something to make his
family comfortable, on the whole, to
use common but expressive phrase,
''it paid"
We do not mean to say that Mr..
Taggard was entirely cured; a passion
so strong is not so easily eradicated.-
But when the old miserly feelings
come over him, and he began to dole
out grudgingly the means with which
10 make his family comfortable, his
wife would laughingly say; "You are
taking it out of the wrong pocket,
JohnP' Words which seemed to have
a magical effect upon both heart and
purse strings.
"Let us take comfort as we 60
along" she would often say. as she
aid her cheek lovingly to his; 'not
grudge our children the innocent
pleasures natural to youth, for the
purpose of laying up for them the
wealth that is, too often, curse rather
than blessing" Hours at Home.