Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-02

MRS FLOWERS FURS.

MRS FLOWERS TURs.
1E
A comfortable sitting room, large,
old-fashioned open fire, before it a round
table on which stood generous pitcher
| of cider, plate of rosy-cheek apples and
a basket of nuts. Two persons were seat
ed in the ruddy glow of the freight; one
a hale, hearty man of sixty-kindly, Wig
orous sixty; the other dame, ten years
younger. Time had touched her gently !;
her bright blue eyes shone as clearly as
they did twenty years before, and, though
her round cheeks were slightly wrinkled,
pretty color fingered on them yet, and
her smiling lips gave good warrant of a
loving heart
Got all your clothes ready for your
trip, mother?" questioned Mr.. Flowers
in tone of interest.
why no father,r she replied; .'I've
just begun to think about making them.
| The pair were childless, but years ago
a little darling had been theirs; and tht
fond habits Of styling each other "father
and mother" which they had acquired
during its short life, had never beer
stopped.
"Mean to make a pretty good show
| don't you ?" pursued Mr.. Flower, peeline
an apple and handing it to his spouse.
"Yes, do" returned she decidedly
Laura shan't feel ashamed of her country
aunt if can help it; and fine clothes
count everywhere. I'm going to write
tomorrow, to see if can get that dress
maker from Masonville. They say she
always has city patterns, so 1 guess she
can make me look as near like city folks as
any one can. But it will take a deal of
money, father" And shade passed over
her face as she turned it toward him.
"You say you want me to 60 and have
good time. 1t won't be good time if
don't have the things want, and they II
take deal of money"
The farmer was in the act of raising a
mug of cider to his lips. He put it down
untasted, and gravely surveying his wife,
asked earnestly:
"Do l ever begrudge you anything
Mary?"
Law no. bless you. dear?" said she,
heartily.
THAT wasn't my meaning at all. There
isn't man in the country SO ready to give
to his wife as YOU. Twas just thinking il
might seem kind of wasteful."
"Pooh! pooh!" said he. "Why
shouldn't you have your pleasure? Spent
all you want. and more toO-there's M
waste about it. We've neither chick OF
child to save it tfor"-suppressing sigh
''Our niece was brought up with full and
| plenty at her fathers house, and now she Z
married rich man; SO there's no need to
care for her. And why shouldn't you en-
joy yourself? l want my old woman to
turn out as well as the best of 'em."
"Well father.' returned she, yielding
| the point with the air of one quite willing
to be convinced, "if it is your will and
wish, and my will and wish, don't see
but what you are right in what you say
about my having my pleasure along with
the other folks, and she quaffed her cider
with satisfaction and content.
Her husband regarded her with twin
kle in his eye. snow confess, Mary,
| from girl you have had fondness for
| fine clothes, havn't you? You don't give
| way to it but there it is"
She blushed little-albeit her fifty win
ters-and moved uneasily on her chair.
He laughed and continued:
"There's handsome furs, now, tor one
thing. You've been hankering for real
out and out set for years"
She started "Why father, how in this
| wide world did you ever guess that ?" And
she stared at him in open-eyed wonder.
He chuckled. II was in the next room
the other day when you and your old GRO
ny, Nancy Jones, were talking about the
furs her cousin from town had on. 1t beats
me Gin a tone of contempt) how Nancy
Jones goes on about that woman. There
amt thing about her but her clothes, and
to hear Nancy talk you would think no
body could come nigh her!"
II heard what my little woman said
plain enough-I have wished for such .
set all my days, but expect to take it on
in wishing There's the exact words fo
you, and they were said in dreadful lon.
way, too"-gazing at his wife with laugh
ing eyes.
She fidgeted and looked away. ut wa
a foolish speech Reuben. OF course
never really thought of having such things
People often wish for such things yol
know, that they never expect to have"
"And why shouldn't you have them p
he asked coolly.
Law Father have 'em? Why did yol
hear what Nancy said such set COST"
"Yes," replied he, beginning on plate
of nuts; "she said they cost four hundred
dollars"
"Well" said she, impatiently, that set
ties it should think"
Mr. Flowers put his nuts back on hel
table. poured out mug of cider for his
wife and another for himself, watched her
calmly while she drank hers, which she
did rather reluctantly. and then, after tax
ing his own with an air of thorough en-
ioyment produced from his pocket a mys-
terious roll.
when went to Masonville to-day
said he, 'I drew this out of the bank for
an especial purpose and forthwith he
counted on her knee four hundred dollars
in crisp new notes; then slapping her on
the shoulder, and bestowing an affection
ate kiss on her cheek, he added There,
Mrs. Flowers that's for your furs. every
penny Of it. Iwon't have my wife crav.
ing and craving thing. and going without
if l can help it, If l can get 1t for her!"
The recipient Of these marks Of lovt
| gasped for breath, partly from the shock