Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-06-24

for her habitual good-by kiss, and threw
into my greeting of her more than usual
heartiness and tenderness, from a feeling
of selfreproach of having allowed SO
much goodness and loveliness to dishgure
itself with such bonnet.
Goodbye, John, dear l am so glad
you are painting so well this morning.
said she; tive shall soon see somebody s
name well known in this city, and we
shall be selling all we can paint, and shall
have to double and quadruple our prices,
and have offers of orders to any amount
and we shall have a large handsome studio
with real north light, and window Sc
tall we shall have to go up on ladder to
open it, and we shall have a nice thick
overcoat every winter if we like, and we
shall go into the country every summer
sketcbing, With our little wife to read To
us while we paint, and we shall grow
great and good and-and-and,"- ,"-and i
could not listen another instant to her
happy story, and throwing down pallet
and brushes my arms closed around her
with bear like hug, and l stopped her
laughing rosy mouth with decorating
kiss that could have been heard a block
away, and then making her look nae
straight in the eyes, carefully whispered
uldiy9 DlCooC NOut JOl oAldll DO a VI uC
prophet and if what you have said ever
does come true, it will be greatly owing
to the cheerful help of my own dear, true
hearted wife"
"John," said she, looking through the
half closed door, al am going to get lamb
chops with sweet potatoes for dinner" and
l listened while she merrily sang herself
down stairs, nor moved until / heard the
frOnk door plnpa hnhfn1 har-on1 oil Al
earth l held most dear.
Twas working interestedly and progress.
ing finely again with my picture, and felt
a hopeful spirit and quiet peace of mind,
that had been unknown to me for months
perhaps it was premonition of good
fortune in store for me-when the same
gentleman called again who had bought
my last picture. He said it had been
much admired since being framed and
placed in good light at his home, and
was kind enough to mention the very
terms of praise which one of our favorite
artists had made use of about it, whose
name sent the blood surging and tingling
all over me with pleasure /; he would like
companion picture of the same size,
took the liberty of advancing me one hun
dred dollars towards the price, to ensure
my commencing it at once, promised to
call soon again and see how l progressed
with the order, and politely took his leave.
After he had gone l sat motionless for
some minutes to think over what had
passed between us, and recover control of
my senses, bewildered with too much
pleasure. Ihad certainly dreamed of such
interviews with purchasers, and had often
imagined how nice it must be for some OF
my artist friends whose pictures were al
ways in demand, to whom such affairs
were not unusual, but both dreams and
imagination were now 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 as l took
it up, and though | seemed to be looking
at its printed lace, my minds eye saw
nothing there, but was busy far away,
with new hat, a new alpaca dress, new
thick CATERS, and new warm gloves, that
intended would be a surprise for Mrs.
Flakewhite
Hastily pinning bit of paper on my
studio door that stated l should soon re
turn, 1 rushed over into the Bowery to
milliner's store, where Mrs. f. and l
were known; l took the woman that
waited on me into partial confidence, and
in few minutes suited myself with hat
which was good, modest aud lady like,
and in about half an hour-which had
been thirty minutes of great enjoyment
TO me--was back again in my studio, my
several parcels hidden where they would
be safe from observation, and with de-
hghtful anticipation Of Mrs. Flakewhite's Is
surprise in the morning, again addressed
myself to work
During the evening of this eventful day
we walked out together, and to Mrs.
Flakewhites great satisfaction, after her
critical examination of seams and linings,
and button holes and pockets, the coat
was decided upon, paid for, and worn
home. l must here disclose to the reader
in strict confidence-havinga wholesome
dread of pulled ears before my eyes-tha'
several times on our return home, in pass.
ing under bright street lamp, l was
made to walk little in front, that Mrs
Flakewhite might again enjoy the excel
lence of the fit and admiringly appreciate
my new-iound elegance.
Pleading fatigue, retired that night
rather sooner than usual, and matured in
quiet my plan for surprising Mrs. Flake
white in the morning. As soon as
hAOW my Ddl was ulJ Ol
into the land of dreams, stole out of bed
into another room, brought out my hid
den treasures and commenced filing 9
large-sized paper box, purchased for this
very purpose. AT the bottom, two pairs
of gloves and half dozen white hand
kerchiefs, with colored borders, then al
many sets of plain linen collars and cuff
of different shapes-and l thought as
laid these in, how Mrs. F's delicate sense
of lady-like neatness would enjoy wear
ing them-next pair of very best
double soled CATERS, over these a pearl
colored dress pattern-sXteen yards of il
that the man | bought it of ASSURED mt
was of excellent quality, and ON top o
all, the new hat, the crowning gift, and fl
summit to this monument of affection
reared in grateful recognition of WIFE
devotion and love.
On the cover of the box laid an un
sealed envelope, addressed to "Mrs. JohI
Flakewhite, Present." containing the fol
lowing note:
VIII my dear wife accept from her husband tn
accompanying box and its contents, and still cor
unue TO obnge the giver, by remembering tina
each time she makes use OF any Of these iamia
articles, she has fairly and honestly earne
them, by her habits OF prudence, economy an
cheerful labor, under circumstances that rende
lhesc Qualities Truly valuable. Also, as Tn
articles in question may wear out and utterly disaI
pear with use and lime, that this letter be preserve
ana shewn to children, grandchildren. and thei
chlldren, as a perpetual honor to her remem
brdnce and telling them the story connected wit
II, that they may be urged to keep forever in tn
family the virtues which 1t represents aud illui
trates, and that the daughters may each in tur
merit such memorial from, and prove herself /
be indeed crown to, her husband;
"JoHN FLAKBwHITE."
Having placed the box and letter on tn
table, where Mrs. +. would be sure to sc
it in the morning as soon as she got up,
stole back again into bed, and-unusuS
thing for me-actually wished for day
light
In the morning woke early, as indee
did nearly every hour during the nigh
fearing to Oversleep, and at once glance
at the little table, where all, as yet, wa
just as left it, and lay quietly awaitin
the discovery of the box by Mrs. Flax,
white-which could not now be long d,
layed-when l should feign the profound
est slumber. In little while she moVeC
and seeing me, as she supposed, fast asleel
quietly arose, and, just as l had hopeC
and saw through half closed eyelids-sh
noticed the box at once, walked toward
il, read the address TO herself on the le
ter, and with smile Of wonder and CT
| rioaitU nnenad H. and / watched her roo