The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-07-07

frolic with her kitten, to loci. q. hel
mother. and nttar come chi!disI. remark
expressive of Joy and love.
at last the clock struck tho hour when
Mr. Thornton was expected, and his wife
proceeded to lay the table with unusual
care, and to place thereon several choice
viands Of which che knew he was partic.
ularly fond.
Meanwhile, let us form The acquain.
tauce ofthe absent husband and father
whom we find ia The neighboring town
jus. completing his days traffic. He IL
u fine looking, mi' dle.aged man, with an
unmistakable twinkle Of kindly feelins
in his eye, and the lives of good humoI
plainly traced about his mouth. We
know at glance tnat he 10 scheerful and
indu!gent in his family, and are ut ones
prepossessed in his favor.
AS he is leaving the store, where he
has made his last purchase for the day.
he is accosted in familiar manner by q
tall gentleman just entering the door.
He recognizes an old friend, and ex-
claims, "'Georgo Morton is 1t you ?''
The greeting is mutually cordial. They
were friends in boyhood and early youth,
but eince, Mr.. Morton has been practic.
ing law in distant city, they have eel.
dom met, sud this is no place to ex-
change their many questions and an
swera. Mr. Thorntcn's fne span of
horses aud light "democratp are stand.
ing near by, and it needs but little per-
suasion to induce Mr. Morton to accom-
pany his frie'ad TO his homo which he
never has yet visited. The conversation
is lively and spirited. They recall the
feats of their school days and the expert
ences Of after life, aud compare their
present positions in the world, with the
| golden future of which they used to
dream. Mr.. Morton is bachelor, and
very fastidious in his taste-as that class
of individuals are prone to be. The re-
collection Of this flashes on Mr.. Thorn
toms mind as they drive along towards
their destination. At once his zeal in the
dialogue abates, and he becomes
thoughtful and silent, and does not urge
| his team onward, hnt seems willing to
afford Mr. Morton an opportunity to ad-
mire the beautiful scenery on either
hand-the hills and valleys clad in the
fresh verdure Of June-whle the lofty
mountain ranges look blue and dim in
the distance. He cannot help wonder.
ing If they will find his wife in the came
predicament in which he left her that
morning, and inyoluntarily shrinks from
introducing SO slatternly parsonage TO
his refined and cultivated friend.
But it is now too late TO retract his
polite invitation. They are entering the
old che nestead." One field more and
his fertile farm, with his we'll kept fen
ces, appears in view. Yonder is his neat
white house, elms and naples. They
drive through the large gateway, the
| man John comes from the barn to put up
| the horses, and Mr.. Thornton hurries up
the walk to the piazza, leaving his friend
to follow at his leisure. He must see his
wife first, and, if possible, hurry her out
of sight before their visitor enters. He
rushes into the sitting room. Words
| cannot express his amaZement. There sits
the very image OF mis- lovely bride, and q
self conscious blush mSntles her cheek as
he stoops to kiss her with words of joyful
surprise, "Why, Ellen |" He has time
for no more. George Morton has follow
ed him, and he exclains, "Ha Charley,
| as loyer-like az ever-hasn't the honey
moon set yet ?" and then he 10 duly
presented 10 Mrs. Thornton, who, under
the pleasing excitement of the occasion,
appears to far better advantage than
usual. Tea ia nnnn the table, and ;
gentlemen do ample Justice to the Tempt
ing repast spread before them. A happy
meal it is to Charles Thornton, who
gazes with admiring fonduess upon his
still beautiful wife. Supper over, Mr..
Morton coaxes little Nellie to cit ON his
lap, but shs soon slides down and climb.
ing on her fathers knee, whispers conf.
| dentially, Don't mamma look pretty ?"
He kisses her and ans.eE, "Yas, my
darling."
The evening passes pleasantly and
swiftly away, and many q half.forgotten
smile of their life pilgrimage is recalled
by some waymark which still CLEANS
bright in. she distance. They both feel
younger and better for their interview,
and determine never 10 become 80 like
strangers again. Mr.. Morton soliloquy,
as he retires TO the cozy apartment APP
proprsted 20 his use is, "Well, this is q
happy family! What o lucky fellow
CHARLEY is. Such o hauGaome wife and
children-and she's SO good q housekeep-
er, tool Maybe I'll settle down some
day, mys!elf'-which pleasing idea that
night mingled with his visions.
The next morning Mr. Thornton
watched his wife's movements with some
| anxiety. He could not bear 20 have her
! destroy the favorable Inn preston which
he was certain she had made on his
friends mind, and yet some Irresistible
impulse forbade his offtring any sugges.
fions or alluding in any ,say 20 iiie Ieii-
cate subject so long between
them. But Mfs. Thornton needed no
friendly advice. With true womanly
tact che perceived the advantage she had
gained, and was not at all inclined to
| ralinO;lish IL The 1arfr ey;uohop, drosa
linen collar and snowy apron formed an
appropriate and becoming mornirg
attire for Q house keeper; and the table
ing his opinion ia regard to the skill or
affability of his amiable hostess. Early
/ In the forenoon, mir. Mort:n took leave
of his hogpitable friends, being called
away by pressing Affairs OF business. d
Mr.. and MIA. Thornton returned to
their accustouled' aVocations, but it was
with renewed energy, and sense OF
quiet happiness, no less deeply felt be-
wards, Mr.. Thornton invited his wife to
accompany him 10 town. saving he
thought she might do some shopping
and she, with no apparent surprise. bni
4 with heartfelt pleasure, acceded to the
proposal. The following Sabbath tine
| village gossips had ample food for their
sewing society, in the appearance Of
but rich costume, an entire new outfit
which they could not deny Nmade heI
4 look ten years younger
! and It was the 'dawning of d brighter day
4 EoY. tl,a husband o|-S ~ ,,,. &c., ~,