The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-09-20

Ia ulAos Wal ACl6Cils 0uC WCub w Z
large packing box and took out from
among number of fresh, pretty dresses
one that she had worn the summer previ
Gus atthe sea shore, which she had KEEP
laid away to wear on extra occasions, anG
as she looked at it she said to herself
How surprised Willis will be If h.
comes in, to see me dressed in this way
And yet know he will be glad to see MI
looking nice again, and during the weel
as we'll as on Sunday" The dress was {
soft gray, too light in color 10 be worn OF
the street, and while Mrs. Clark made 8
good appearance on the Sabbath in he
black grenadine, she had put aside thu
light, pretty house dresses, and had fel
for long time that she need take NJ
pains during the week to look we'll
While she was fumbling over this box sh,
picked up an old letter of her husband
written to her years before, and, as sh,
glanced at the date, and looked at its con
tents, she saw it was written on his birth
day, and this day, the 18th of July, wa
the anniversary. She had entirely for
gotten it. Surely might don this dres
on his birth day." she said, and try t.
look my very prettiest." So arranging
her hair in q tasteful way, and adornini
her neck with pretty blue ribbons, shl
went down into the parlor, opened tt
piano, which she had not touched TO
weeks, and began to sing some of the oil
songs which Willis few years ago en-
ioyed SO much.
The baby was taking nap, the cool
getting supper, and, after taking look a
the table 10 see that all was right, sh,
stepped out to the front porch for q mo
ment, and, as she stood there Mr.. Bank
passed, bowed and said:
Your husband will be along in few
minutes; he came up on the train will
lie, and left him around the corner"
Mr.. Clark was coming home to.nigh
because he expected to meet a business
friend near by after tea.
Mrs. Clark seated herself again at thu
piano, and, as her husband came up thu
steps, he heard the music, and thinking
some friend ha6 come in to make them {
visit. opened the door as softly as posi-
BILE, and was just skipping upstairs Il
"polish' little when he caught glimpse
of his wife, and came quickly into thu
parlor, saying:
"Well, we'll, Jennie, what's all THU
about? haven't seen you look so pretty
for long time. Who are you expecting?
No one but your" said Mrs. Clark.
What has come over you, and how
have you happened to open the parlor
and fix up all these bouquets, and make
yourself up SO fine, and sit here at the
piano, and sing away like regular prims
donna? 1t is so long since have heard
you sing, did not recognize your voice
at all, and wondered who could be herel''
This is your birthday" said Mrs
Clark, land thought we'd just cele.
brate little. and though did not surely
know that you would be able to be here
to tea, kind o. felt in my bones that you
would, and sure enough you are here!''
. ! am mighty glad came" said hel
husband, and then, with an admiring
glance and a hearty kiss he said: II
shall have to fix up in my Sunday -go-to-
meeting suit, guess, to do the honors Of
the OCCASION" and added, "let's have one
of our good old fashioned sings after tea !''
How happy Mrs. Clark looked as her
husband left her and went up stairs, and
how richly rewarded she was already for
the trouble she had takenl And, after a
delightful supper, and frolic with the
baby, and an hours singing of the old
familiar songs, Mr.. Clark said:
Well, what nice birthday surprise
you have given me! 1t seems like the old
happy times over againl l shouldn't be
sorry to have birthdays come every week,
instead OF once yeari"
"I'll try to give you one every week, /"
said his wife, and we'll have Kind of a
rival club up here!'
Mrs. Clark related 10 her friend, Mrs.
Banks, the next day the successful birth
day celebration, and thanked her, with
tears in her eyes, for the happy sugges-
tions, and said:
do believe / can win him back
again. Oh, you don't know how happy
he did seem last nightl'
6 and you will learn, as / have learned,
that there is more satisfaction and Joy in
doing things to please your husband, and
in making yourself constantly attractive
10 him, than in the applause and fattery
Of The whole world beside, when you hear
no longer his loving words, or enjoy his
SMILE"
This was the beginning of happier days,
and, although Mrs. Clark's tea-table was
not always adorned with flowers, nor her
meat-dishes decorated with parsley, nor
her parloTs filed with the sweet fragrance
)f geraniums and roses, yet her husband
found an attractive home, . neatly dressed
md cheerful wife, who talked Of some
hing more interesting than the servants
Ind gossip about the neighbors; and ere
he winter had passed he was counted out
It the old club-rOoms, and used TO tell
some OF his old chums, when they won
Tered what had become of him, that he
had fallen in love with select club at the
Clark House. and could not spend much
more time with them. His winter even
ngs were now passed DELIGHTFULLY."- ct
rome, reading aloud to his wife while
he sewed; or singing, or making visits
With her to pleasant friends. and occasion-
lily attending concerts and lectures, and
agreeable entertainments. The indiffer-
ence and the coldness between them had
al melted away, and home had become .
delightful place, to which the heart of
he husband turned with -increasing
oy.
A short time before how dark he future
ooked to Mrs. Clark, for lack Of the love
md appreciation and companionship OF
Ter husband and how easily she herself
id been able to win him back aeainl
dany wives are sadly mistaken, who
hink they can, it only literary, sit with
'nkempt hair, In sloyenly attire. and q
lls0rdefed house, md still fetAin thN fiesh.
ess Of love, and the constant eeteom Of
heir husbands. A bright and interesting
roman, In neat attire, and the Queen Of
uiet, Welt.ordeTed homo, though she have
ut N hour . day for mental improve