The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-08-18

window to "watch for papa,n while she
went down to assist Jane III preparing
something extra for supper. She had Just
returned when Mr.. Taggartl was seen au-
preaching the house.
1t looked so different from what il did
when he left that he stared at it i'm
amazement, and would have hesitated
about entering il had ii not been for the
name on the newly FURNISHED door-plate.
But he was still more astonished when
he entered.
cam in my own house, or somebody
else's?n he calculated as he looked around
the pleasant room.
"It is the new furniture / have been
buying" said his wife, smiling. ''How
do you like it?"
'Have you been running me in debt,
Mrs. Taggard ?n
''Not in the least, John; it was all
bought with the money you so gener-
ously left me when you went away.u
Mr.. Taggard clapped his hand into one
of his pockets.
"GOod heavens ~ he exclaimed in an
agitated tone and manner, II gave il TO
you out of the wrong pocketr'
Mrs. Taggard did not look at all aston
ished or disturbed at the announcement;
on the contrary, her countenance wore a
smiling and tranquil aspect.
"HOu don't mean to say that YOU have
spent t." inquired Mr.. Taggard desper-
ately.
"Why, what else should do with it.
John? You told me TO make the most
of il, and think have"
'''m a ruined manT groaned Mr.. Tag
gard.
"Not a bit of il, my dear husbund,n -
said his wife cheerfully; 'syou 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 allowance for that
purpose in the future; it will save us both
much annoyance"
The children, who had been led 10
consider what their mother had bought
them as presents from papa, now crowd
ed eagerly around him.
MIR. Iaggard loved his children, and il
would be difficult for anyone, having
the kind and tender heart he really Dos
sessed, 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 al
lowed the loving caresses with which
she assured him that che looked as
young and handsome as ever.n
1t was a smiling group that gathered
around the cheerful supper table; and as
Mr. Taggard glanced from the gleeful
children to the smiling face of his wife,
who certainly 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
an expressive phrase, sit paid"
We do not mean to say that Mr.. Tag
gard was entirely cured; a passion so
strong is not so easily eradicated. But
when the old miserly feelings came over
him and the means with which to make
his family comfortable began to dole
out grudgingly, his wife would laugh
ingly say: "You are taking it out of the
wrong pocket, Johnp' Words which
seemed to have magical effect upon
both heart and puTse-string.
"I4et us take comfort as we 20 along"
she would often say, as she laid her cheek
lovingly to his; mot grudge our children
the innocent pleasure natural to youth,
for the purpose of laying up for them the
wealth that is too often a curse instead
of blessing"