South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-10-20
Romney, Hampshire County West va October 90 1876.

have with propriety at all times, AMI
how TO use those things that are wortl
I preserving. 49,
Il always pity people when see them
trying to make a little display before
their company. pity them for the thank
less labor they are giving themselves
for glimpse Of their private life which
is just opened up To me. because l AN
quite sure such folks. live about as i.
happens when alone.''
Mrs. Lanes face had changed EXPIRES
sion, several times rs she listened and
when her friend ceased speaking she
sazed at picture on the wall opposite
her for full half minute in silence.
"You would be surprised" Mrs. Oar,
ling went on, anticipating her FIRST ob.
lection. ..if l should tell you that this
mode OF living is matter OF economy,
toe. but such is tho fact.
e.-Aou sec we set plain table, aud our
food is simple all the time. instead oil
getting expensive luxuries for company.
and then pinching ourselves in the vain
effort TO make it up.
This makes our table expenses &C.
tually less while we treat ourselves as
we'll rs we do our guests, which is per-
fect justice rs you will sec.
Good substantial furniture will last
long time with a little care when in
constant use, and if our expenses in
this particular are little moro than
our neighbors who keep everything for
company, am sure our greater happi-
ness much more than compensates,"
stroking little Georges head tenderly
as lie came UP to her with some, child
ish request.
The subject was dropped here. but in
the few days that Mrs. Lane remained
with her friends she thought the matter
over great many times.
1t was hard for her to realize that she
oaw the family just rs they always were,
IN taeJr common every day life; that
with them there was no such thing rs
company manners or company things"
81 enjoyed my visit great deal bet.
ter, though, il had made tiam turn a
side from their beaten track she admit.
ted and | believe they Go too.
wonder If Lane loves me rs mr..
Darling seems to love his wircg' she
would query; or if our children think
as much Of their father and mother rs
theirs do?"
How devoted to each other they all
are; one would thinl, they each regard
ed the other members Of the family as
the very best company" and one day
she even went so far as 20 ask herself,
"Why shouldn't they?"
MIR. Lane and the girls came ut length
to spend the last &C their visit with her
AMI when Mrs. Lane saw how thoroughly
they seemed to enjoy it. she almost re-
preached herself that such days were so
rare TO them.
Perhaps | might make their home q
little pleasanter for them" she mused.
81 am afraid our meager life will seem
emptier than ever now"
The two friends were sitting in the
library alone that last night whittier they
had gone for confidential chat after
the others had retired.
"Ncllic," said Mrs. Lane, at length.
Il believe l shall try an Improvement
when get home"
CAS- YOU say, it does seem wrony to
treat company so much better than your
own folks, and am SO charmed with
your more excellent way that mean 10
try it myself and tears came TO her
eyes rs she thought Of the better things
that were in store for her good husband.
The Lanes went home on the follow
ing day, and ii they turned back reluc-
family, Mrs. Lane did not wonder, for
she thought she had herself spent one OF
the happiest weeks in her life.
Gfto lo;J Loo 20, tcfIo ,-;tt,
care that night saying to the girls that
she could not quito bear so strong
contrast to what she had herself been
accustomed to lately. think we will
sit in the parlOr tonight, she remarked,
when the lamps were lighted; 'vc are
SO tired, perhaps it will rest us little"
When Mr. Lane came home TO dinner
tho next day, he was surprised to sec
the front doors standing inyitngly open,
and his a3tOnishTent was still greater
rs he passed on into the dining room
and found n tempting dinner waiting
there with plates for only three.
81 thought we would begin 10 cot
these pickles while they arc good this
year" said Mrs. Lane. rs she passed the
dish to her husband, INSTEAD Of keep.
ing them to spoil rs VIC did last year"
This is such a pudding as Nellie
makes sometimes" filling Jennic's sau.
Ger; "isn't at all expensive"
II think girls" she said. when Mr..
Lane had gone out, wondering in his
heart what had come over his wife. 81
think we won't use those cracked frag-
ment9 Of $50 many different sets Of crock.
cry any more, at least on tho table. I
believe dinner tastes better whom eaten
from tho white dishes, and there are
enough forourselvos C company too We
can be n little careful ofthem You know"
Expecting anybody tonight? queri.
ed MIR. Lane at tea, glancing az his wifc's
flesh dress and nicely combod hair.
Yes" sho replied pleasantly, 81 hop.
oil my a-band would spend the evening
with me-.
i.e did no, ne,l any urging and a.
ter ra pcnt more Of his evenings az
home, and seemed % cnjoy tho society
of Ifa rrfro umE f.t,wbsr-. hat 81.