Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-18

work on tbeIr account, OF worrying all the |
lime lest should leave something uudone
hat might make them think little better
,f me.
"Oi course IL seemed odd enough and |
oame rather hard at first, but was satisfied |
Il was the best way and 90 kept schooling
myself into It till 10 little while wondered |
how had ever done otherwise.
III was always ready for company now,
and always ready 10 receive my husband
with a smiling face to a pleasant and orderly
home.
III know he has been great deal happier
since the FIRST year, and never half enjoyed
anything then.
"The effect upon our children is much bet
ter than If we taught them il is no matter
how things were IL there we're no visitors,
for they learn now how TO behave with pro-
priety at all times, and how to use carefully
those things that are worth preserving.
81 always pity people when l SEQ them
trying to make great display before their
company, pity them for the thankess labor
they are giving themselves, and for the
glimpse Of their private life which is thus
opened up to me, because am quite sure
such folks live about as it happens when
alone"
Mrs Lanes face had changed expression
several times as she listened, and when her
friend ceased speaking she gazed at picture
on the wall opposite her for full halt min
ute in silence.
"You would be surprised Mrs Darling
went on, anticipating her first objection, ali
l should tell you that this mode Of living is
q matter Of economy, too, but such is the fact.
"You see we set plain table and our
food is simple all the time instead of getting
expensive Injuries for company and then
pinching ourselves in the vain effort to make
it up.
This makes our table expenses actually
less, while we treat ourselves as well as we
do our guests which is perfect justice, as
you viii see.
"Good, substantial furniture will last
long time with little care, even when in
constant use and If our expenses in this
particular are = little more than those of our
neighbou who keep everything for company,
| am sure our greater happiness much more
than compensates,' stroking little Georges
bright head tenderly as he came up to her
with some childish request.
The subject was dropped here, but 10 the
few days that Mrs Lane remained with her
friend she thought the matter over great
many times. I..r $500.
Ii was hard for her to realize that she saw
the family just as they always were in their
common, everyday life that with them there
was no such thing as company manners" or
company things tla
II enjoyed my visit great deal better
though than if had made them turn aside
from their beaten track" she admitted !;
"and believe they do too"
wonder il Mr. Lane loves me as Mr. Oar.
log seems to love his wife," she would
query "or if our children think as much of
their father aud mother as theirs do"
"HoW devoted to each other they all are !;
one would think they each regarded the
other members Of the family as the very best
of company aud one day she even went so
far as to ask herself, why shouldn't they ?"
Mr. Lane and the girls came at length to
spend the last day of her visit with her and
when Mrs Lane saw how thoroughly they
seemed TO enjoy it, she almost reproached
herself that such days we're so rare to them.
perhaps | might make their home little
pleasanter for them" she unused. III am
afraid our meager life will seem emptier than
ever Bow."
The two friends were sitting in the library
alone that last night, whittier they had gone
for a confidential chat after the others had
retired.
"Nellie," said Mrs Lane at length, 81 be.
lieve shall try an improvement when ge,
home.
"As you say, it does seem wrong to treat
company 80 much better than your own
folks, and am so charmed with your more
excellent way that mean to try it myself.
and tears came TO her eyes as she thought Of
the better things that were in store for heI
good husband.
The Lanes went home on the following
day, and if they turned back reluctantly
Mrs Lane did not wonder, for she thought
she had herself passed one Of the happics
weeks in her whole life.
She laid her tea.table with unusua
care that night. saying to the girls thai
she could not quite yet bear SO strong
contrast to what she had been accustomed Il
lately. al think We will sit in the parloI
tonight" she remarked when the lamp
were lighted: 1--WE are so tired, perhaps i
will rest US u little"
When Mr. Lane came home to dinner tn,
next day he was surprised to see the front
door standing invitingy open, and his aston
ishment was still greater as he passed on int
the dining-room aud found tempting din
ner waiting there with plates for only four
81 thought we would begin to eat tbes
pickles while they are good this year" saiC
Mrs Lane, as she passed the dish to her hus
band, "instead Of keeping them to spoil a,
as we did last"
This is such pudding as Nellie make
sometimes" filling Jsnny's saucer isn't i
Dice and it's not al all expensive"
81 think, girls" she said when Mr. Lam
had gone out, wondering in his heart wha
had come over bis wife.
IL think we wont use these cracked frag
ments of so many different sets Of crockery
any more, at least on the table. | beliey
the dinner tastes better when eaten from tn
white dishes, and there are enough for our
selves and company too We can be a littl
careful Of them you know"
Expecting anybody tonight ?" qucrie
Mr. Lane at tea, gancpg at his wifes fresl
dress aud nicely coined hair.
eyes" she replied pleasantly, IL hope
my husband would spend the evening wit
NO."
He did not need any urging; aud afte
that he spent more of his evenings at home
aud seemed to enjoy the society of his wifi
aud daughters better than ever before.
I'll am doing as | told you | should,
Mrs Lane wrote to her friend Mrs Dariu
a month afterward, sand it works chArmiugly
Mr. Lane seems to love his home as we'll a
your husband does his now, and We are al
thousand fold happier. | feel as if GU
friends enjoy coming to see us a great dea
bstter than they used to, too. assure yo