The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-07-18

could not bat smile at this instance
of romantic gallantry in a dotins
husband
He was now going out to the cot
tage, where his wife had been all
day experimenting it's arrangement,
My feeling had been strongly inter
ested in tho progress of this family
story, and, as it WAS fine evening,
| offered to accompany him,
He was weariod with the fatigues
of the day, and, as ho walked out,
fell into fit of gloomy musing.
"Poor Mary!' at length broke,
with u heavy sigh, from his lips.
"And what Of hor?' asked l: has
anything happened to hor?"
"What, said he, darling an impa-
tient glance, "is it nothing to be re-
ducod to this paltry situation to be
Gagged in n miserable cottage to be
obliged to toll almost in tho menial
concerns of her wrotched habitation.
"Has she then repined at the
change ~
"Repined she has bcon nothing
but sweetness and good humor. In
decd, she seems in better spirits than
| have ever known her; she has been
to me all love and tenderness, and
comfort" !"
admirable girl 4" exclaimed |.
"You call yourself poor, my friend;
you never were SO rich-you never
knew the boundless treasures Of Dx
cellence you possess in that woman"
ooh but my friend, if this first
meeting at the cottage were over, !
think ] could then be comfortable.
But this il her first day Of roal expo,
rience; she has been introduced into
n humble dwelling-she has been
employed all day in arranging ita
miserable equipments she has, for
the first time, known the fatigues of
domestic employment--she has, for
the first time, looked round her on
II home destitute of everything Gle
gant-almost everything convenient;
and may be sitting down, exhausted
and spiritless, brooding over pros
pect of future poverty.
There was degree of probability
in this picture that l could not gain
: say, so we walked on in silence.
t After turning from the main ROAD
up u narrow la0c, so thicsly shaded
with forest trees as to give it u com
plete air OF seclu ion, we came in
sight of the cottage. 1t was humble
enough in its appearance for the
most pastoral poet; and yet it had a
pleasing rural look. A wild vine
had ovorrun one end with a profus-
ion of foliage; few trees threw their
branches gracefully over it; and |
observed several pots of flowers taste
fully disposed about the door, and
on the erass-plat in front A small
wicket-gate opened upon footpath
that wound through some shrubbery
to the door just rs we approached
we hearl the sound Of music-Lesllc
graspcd my arm; we paused and
listened, 1t was Mary's voice sing
ing, in a style Of the most touching
simplicity, a little air of which her
husband was peculiarly fond.
| | felt Leslie's hand tromble on my
arm. He stepped forward to hcal
more distinctly. His step made a
noise on the gravel walk. A bright
beautiful face cleaned out at the
window and vauished-a light foot
step was heard-aud Mary came
tripping forth to meet us: she was Il
q pretty rural dress of white; few
wild flowers were twisted Ill her tinc
hair; fresh bloom was on her cheek
and her whole countenance beameo
| with smiles had nevor seen hel
look SO lovely.
"My dear George" cried sho, 81
am SO glad you are como! | have
been watching aud watching for you
and running down tho lane and look
ins for you. I've set out tablo un-
der beautiful tree behind the cot,
tago; and I've been gathering some
Of the mort delicious strawberries
for know you arc fond OF thom-
and we have such excellent cream =
and everything is so sweet and still
here--Oh said she putting her arm
within his, and looking up brightly
in his face, "Oh, we shall be 80 hap
py, hcrop
Poor Leslie was overcome. IL,
caught her to his bosom he folded
his arms round hcr--ho kissed hen
again and agaiu--he could not speak
but the tears gushed into his eyes
and he has often assured me, that
though the world has since gone
prosperousIy with him, and his life
has, indeed, been Il happy one, yo'
never has he experienced II moment
of more exquisite felicity.