Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-24
PARIS, MAINE, FRIDAY,

commencing it at once, promised to call
soon again and SEQ how progressed with
the order. and politely took his leave.
After ho had gone sat motionless for
some minutes to think over what had
passed between us, and recover control
of my senses, bewidered with too much
pleasure. had certainly dreamed oil
such interviews with purchasers. and had
often imagined how nice it must be for
some of my artist friends whose pictures
were always in demand, to whom such
affairs were not unusual, but both dreams
and Imagination were now both certainly
realized; witness the one hundred dollar
bill on The easel shelf, just where my
purchaser had laid it.
1t was new one freshly issued from
the Chemical Bank, and cracked rs /
took it up and though l seemed to be
looking at its printed face. my minds eye
saw nothing there, but was busy far away,
with q new hat, new alpaca dress, new
thick CATERS and new warm gloves, that
intended would be Il surprise for Mrs.
FIakewhite.
Hastily pinning bit of paper on my
studio door that stated should return, |
rushed ovcrinto the Boweryto millincr's
store where Mrs +. aud were known;
| took the woman that waited on me into
partial confidence, and in q few minutes
suited myself with hat which was good.
modest and lady-like. and in about halt
an hour-whch had been thirty minutes
of great enjoyment to me, was back again
in my studio, my several parcels hidden
where thcy would be safe from obscrva-
ton, and with delightful anticipation of
Mrs Flakewhite's suyp. ise in the morning
again addressed myself to work.
During the evening OF this cvcntful day
we walked on, together, and TO Mrs.
Flakewhite's great satisfaction. after her
critical examination of seams and Innings,
and button holes and pockets, the coat
was decided upon, paid for, and worn
home. | must here disclose 10 the reader
in strict coniilcnce-having n wholesome
dread of pulled ears before my eycs-that
several times on our return home, in
passing under bright street lamp, | was
made TO walk a little in front, that Mrs.
+. Nigh, again enjoy the excellence OF
the fit, and admiringly appreciate my
new found elegance.
Pleading fatigue, Irctired that night
rather sooner than usual, and matured in
quiet my plan for surprising Mrs. Flake
white in the morning. As soonas knew
my faithful partner was truly off into the
land of dreams, | stole out OF bed into
another room, brought out my hidden
treasures and commenced filling II large
sized paper box, purchased for this very
purpose. At the bottom, two pairs Of
gloves and a half dozen white handkcr-
chiefs, with colorcl borders. then rs many
sets of plain linen colors and cuffs oil
different shapcs-and thought rs | laid
thcse in, how Mrs. F.'S delicate sense OF
lady like neatness would enjoy wearing
,hcm-next, q pair of very best double
soled CATERS, over these pearl colored
dress pattern-six;cen yards of it-that
the man bought ii of assured me WAS
of excellent quality, and on top OF all, the
new hat. the crownng gift. and fit sum-
nit TO this monument Of affection reared
in grateful recognition OF wilc'a devo.
ton and love.
On the cover of the box laid an un.
sealed envelope. addressed to "Mrs.John
Flakewhite, Present, containing the fol-
lowing notc:-
"Wil my dear wife accept from her
husband the accompanying box and its
contents and still continue to oblige the
giver, by remembering that each time
she makes use of any of these familiar
articles, that she has fairly and honestly
earned them by her habits of prudence,
economy and cheerful labor, under cir
cumstancc that render these qualities truly
valuable. Also, that the articles in
question may wear ont and utterly dis
appear with use and time, that this letter
be preserved and shown TO children,
grand children, and their children, as
perpetual honor 10 her remembrance;
and telling them the story connected with
it, that they may be urged to keep forever
in the family the virtues which it repre-
sents and illustrates. and that the daughters
may each in their turn merit such n
memorial from, and prove herself 10 be
indeed n crown to her husband.
JOIN FLAKEwHITE.h
Having placed the box and letter on the
table where Mrs. +. would be sure to sec
it in the morning rs soon rs she got up,
stole back again into bed, and-unusual
thing for me-actually wished for day
light.
In the morning woke early, as indeed
l did nearly every hour during the night,
fearing to overslecp, and at once glanced
at the little table, where ALL rs yet, was
justas left it, and lay quietly awaiting
the discovery of the box by Mrs. Flake
white, which could not be long delayed
when l should feign the profoundest
slumber. In little while she moved.
and Sc eing me, rs she supposed, fast