Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-06-30

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and to place thereon several choice viands Of
which she knew he was particularly fond.
Meanwhile, let US form the acquaintance
of the absent husband and father, whom we
find in the neighboring town just completing
his DAYS traffic He is fine looking, mid.
dle.aged man, with an unmistakable twinkle
of kindly feeling in his eye, and the lines OF
good humor plainly traced about his mouth:
We know at a glance that he is cheerful and
indulgent in his family, and are at once pre-
possessed in his favor.
As he is leaving the store, where he has
made his last purchase for the day, he is &C.
costed in familiar manner by tall gentle
man just entering the door. He recognizes
an old friend, and exclaims, George Morton
is it you? ?" The greeting is mutually cordial.
They were friends in boyhood and early youth,
but since, Mr.. Morton has been practicing
law in distant city, they have seldom met,
and this is no place to exchange their many
questions and answers. Mr.. Thorntou's fine
span of horses and light democrat" are
standing near by, and it needs but little per-
suasion to induce Mr.. Morton to accompany
his friend to his home which he never has
yet visited. The conversation is lively and
spirited They recall the feats of their school
days and the experiences Of after life, and
compare their present position in the world,
with the golden future of which they used
to dream. Mr.. Morton is bachelor, and
very fast;dious in his taste-as that class of
individuals are prone to be. The recollection
of this flashes on Mr.. Thornton's 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, but 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-while the lofty mountain ranges
look blue and dim in the distance. He can
not help wondering if they will find his wife
in the same predicament in which he left her
that morning, and involuntarily 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 "home'
stead" One field more and his fertile farm,
with his we'll kept fences, appears in view.
Yonder is his neat white house, elms and
naples They drive through the large gate
way, 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 in
to the sitting room. Words cannot express
his amazement. There sits the very image
of his lovely bride, and self conscious blush
mantles her cheek as he stoops to kiss her
with words of joyful surprise, "Why Ellen "
He has time for no more. George Morton
has followed him, and he exclaims, "Ha !
Charley, as lover.like as ever-hasn't the
honeymoon set yet?" and then he is duly
presented to Mrs. Thornton, who, under the
pleasing excitement of the occasion, appears
to far better advantage than usual. Tea is
upon the table, and the gentlemen do ample
justice to the tempting repast spread before
them. A happy meal it is to Charles Thorn.
ton, who gazes with admiring fondness upon
his still beau, "ul wife. Supper over, Mr..
Morton coaxes title Nellie to sit on his lap,
but she soon slides down and climbing on her
fathers knee, whispers con6dentially, Don't
mamma look pretty?" He kisses her and
answers, eyes, my darling"
The evening passes pleasantly and swiftly
away, and many halfforgotten smile of their
life pilgrimage is recalled by some waymark
which still CLEANS bright in the distance.
They both feel younger and better for their
interview, and determine never to become so
like strangers again. Mr.. Morton's soliloquy,
as he retires to the cozy apartment appropria.
ted to his use is, "Weli this is happy fami.
ly! What lucky fellow Charley is. Such
handsome wife and children-and she's so
good housekeeper, too! Maybe I'll settle
down some day myself-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 bearto have her destroy the favora:
BILE impression which he was certain she had
made on his friends mind, and yet some ire
sistible impulse forbade his offering any sug-
gestions or alludiug in any way to the delicate
subject so long unmentoned between them.
But Mrs. Thornton needed no friendly advice.
With true womanly tact she perceived the adj
vantage she had gained, and was not at all in
clined to relinquish it. The dark gingham
dress, linen collar and snowy apron formed
an appropriate and becoming morning attire
for house keeper and the table afforded
the guest no occasion for altering his opinion
in regard to the skill or affability of his amia-
BILE hostess. Early in the forenoon, Mr.. Nor
ton took leave of his hospitable friends, being
called away by pressing affairs of business.
Mr. and Mrs. Thornton returned to their
accustomed avocations, but it was with renew
ed energy, and new sense ofquiet happiness,
no less deeply felt because unexpressed. A
day or two afterwards, Mr.. Thornton invited
his wife to accompany him to town, saying he
thought she might do some shopping; and she,
with no apparent surprise, but with heartfelt
pleasure, acceded to the proposal. The fol-
lowing Sabbath the village gossips had ample
food for their hungry eyes (to be digested at
the next sewing society," in the appearance of
Mrs. Thornton at church clad in plain but
rich costume, an entire new outfit, which they
could not deny "made her look ten years
younger"
This was the beginning of the reform, and
it was the dawning of brighter day for the
husband and of our story. True, habits of
such long standing are not conquered in a
week or month and very often was Mrs
Thornton tempted to yield to their long tol-
Grated sway but she fought valiantly against
their influence, and in time she vanquished
them. An air of taste an elegance, once un-
known, now pervaded their dwelling, and
year after year the links of affection which
united them as family grew brighter and
purer, even radiating the holy light of Chris
tan home.
But it was not until many years had pass.
ed away, and our little Nellie, now lovely