The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-12-09
CHATTER XII.

Bertha found her home in nice order, the flow
ers in her kindergarten in abundant bloom, and
everything looking as pleasant and hOme-like as
when she went away. She had expected to see
forsaen look over ALL but the careful attention OF
Earle and Cleaveand to her pet enterprises, and
their efficient housekeeping, preserved the old
familiar air that made her heart glad when she
saw it again. AS she sat in her little rocking
chair by the light of the evening fire after the
fatigue of the journey, she thought of the strange
dearness of inanimate objects how every fold OF
her chintz curtains, and even the forms of the
shadows that grouped in the darker corners of the
room, seemed to wear a familiar look that was al
most friendly, and gave her more pleasure than
all the finely furnished rooms she had visited in
her absence.
''How sweet it is that God makes our homes so
lovely to us even when they are plain and
homely," said she to her father, who was lying on
the comfortable lounge in the corner by the fire
care you just finding it out, my daughter?
Yes, it is blessed provision that love clothes all
our surroundings with beauty, and they wear the
features that our thoughts and acts give to them.
They grow about us fitting in and out to our
daily life as the mould fits the jelly. We cannot
look upon our simplest household hooks and fur
nishings without the halo of sweet associations
and happy moments shining all around them"
.'That is just it, father" said Bertha. 'I could
never have put it into words, but I have felt it.
Yes am just finding il out. did feel almost
afraid I would be lonely when / came back, after
seeing so many jolly young people and having
such a pleasant trip; but the home here seems
full of friends that mutely welcome me, and are
like no others in the world"
Il am glad" said Earle, "that married wife
who has such a vivid Imagination. 1t will take
the place of fine company and fine furniture, and
perhaps it will burnish me up little'
''You do not need furnishing; you are pure
gold' said Bertha. "They do not gid refined
gold some wise body has said, I think"
at is not imagination" said Mr.. Wills; "fOr
that as you used it, makes something out of moth
ing, or makes a thing seem that which it is not.
The quality that Bertha has is a grand truth 1t
is as real as anything in life. 1t puts soul into
things. Thoughts cling about and color them.
We call the effect memories but they become a
part Of the material objects, to US at least and ]
do not know but otl er persons are conscious of an
indefnable something about the belongings of a
cosy little home where this wonderful quality ex-
lists that makes them appear different from homes
where il is not. You know there are places to
which we 90 where all seems cold and stiff and
formal. We experience no comfort there, and We
are sure the inmates do not. There are too MANY
such homes, cherries and heartless. The very
furniture has i1n5ibed tho air of the dwellers
shalloH ard fretful lives have left their impress
on the lnaniInate objects around them. Tast,
may be displayed IL selection and arrangement
but the AR d home comfort is forever aeking
Money cannot buy r. The secret power is Love
and love only.n
II believe yQr are .rigbti sAid Earle. "rher,
must Ave ao1oe ground lor theos saying that Lov,
works miraeies.ir
Love in eotfaee.' Il then hot al a fable; bu
vas not awars chat il really lpagsrted eharacte
togross matter Perhaps It does. Who knows p
II am sure" said Bertha, ( can never look a
that hair which sou call 13oston comfort with