The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-09-28
ghs &aHtilg GHrle.
Mrs. Flowers FurS.
GoMEo RWAHEN

stood a generous pitcher of cider,
a plate of rosy-cheeked apples and
a basket of nuts. Two persons
were seated within the ruddy glow
of the fire-light; one a hale, hearty
! man of sixty; the other a 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 checks were slightly wrink-
led, pretty color fingered on them
yet, and her smiling lips gave good
warrant Of a loving heart.
SCOT all your clothes ready for
your trip, mother?" questioned Mr..
Flowers, in tone of interest.
"Why no, father" replied she;
''I've just begun to think about
making them"
The pair were childless, but years
ago a little darling had been theirs;
and the fond habit of styling each
other "father'' and smother" which
they had acquired during its short
life, had never been stopped.
"AIean to make a pretty good
show, don't you? pursued Mr. Flow
ers, peeling an apple and handing
it to his spouse.
eyes, do" returned she, decid-
edIy. 'Laura shan't feel ashamed
of her country aunt if I can help
it; and fine clothes count every
where. Tn going to write to-mor-
row, to see if I can't get that dress
maker from Masonville. They say
she always has city patterns, so I
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 have a good
time. It won't be good time if
I don't have the things I want, and
they'll take a deal Of money"
The farmer was just in the act of
raising a mug of cider to his lips.
He put it down untaste'l, and grave
ly surveying his wife, asked ear
nestly:
"Do ever begrudge you any
thing, Mary?"
'Law! no, bless you, dearr' 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. was just think
ing it might seem kind of waste
full"
"Pooh! poorr' said he. "Why
shouldn't you have your pleasure?
Spend all you want, and more too
there's no waste about it. We've
neither chick nor child to save for
-suppressing a sigh-our neice
was brought up with full and plen-
ty at her fathers house, and now
she's married a rich man; so there's
no need to care for her. And why
shouldn't you enjoy yourself?
want my old woman to turn out as
well as the best of them"
''Well father" returned she, yield
ing the point with the air of one
quite willing to be convinced, "if
it's your will and wish, and my will
and wish, I don't see but what you
are right about my having
pleasure along with other folks"
And she quaffed her cider with sat
isfaction and content.
Her husband regarded her with
a twinkle in his eye. 'Now con
fess, Mary, from a girl you have
had 3 fondness for fine clothes, |
haven't you? You don't often give !
way to it, but tAere it is"
She blushed a iittle-albeit her |
fifty winters-and moved uReasily |
on her chair. He laughed and |
continued:
There's handsome furs, for one
thing. You've been hankering for
a real out-and-out set for years"
She started. ''Why father, how
in this wide world did you ever
guess thatY' And she stared at |
him in open-eyed wonder.
He chuckied. ''I was in the
next room the other day when you
and your old crony, Nancy Jones,
were talking about the furs her
cousin from town had on. It beats
me- lin a tone of cOntempt) chow
Nancy does 60 on about that wO-
man. There amt a thiag about /
her but her clothes, and to hear
Nancy talk, you wOnid think no
body coRld come nigh her. I heard I
Whist my little woman said plain
enough-'rve wished for jnst such /
a set al my days. but I expect to
take it out wishing There's the
exact words for you, and they were |
said in a dreadful longing way too
at his wife with laughing /
eyes
She ddgeted and looked away. at !
was Il foolish speech, Reuben. Of
course I never thought of really /