Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-11-03
WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY 3
nily, and arc at once proposscsscd in his

family, and arc at once proposscsscd in his
favor.
AS he is leaving tho store where ho has
mado his last purchase for the day, he is
accostcd in n familiar manner by tall gen
tleman just entering tho door. He rccogs
nizes on old friend. aud excaims, "Gcorge
Morton! is it you?' Tho greeting is mu-
tually cordial. They wcro friends 10 boyo
hood aud carly youth, but suco, Mr.. tIor-
ton has been practioipg law in distaut
city, they have seldom met, and this is no
place to exchange their muny questions aud
answers. Mr.. Thornton's fino spun of
horses und light "Dcnocrat" uro standing
near by, and it needs but little persuasion
to induce Mr.. Morton to acc, mpauy his
friend to his, home which he never has yet
visited. Tho conversation is lively and
spirited. They recall tho feats of their
school days aud tho experiences of after
life, and compare their present position in
the world, with the golden future of which
thoY used to dream. MIR. Morton is
bachelor, and very fnstdious in his tastc-
as that class of individuals are prone to he.
The recollection of this flashes on Mr.
Thornton's mind rs they drive along to-
wards heir destination. at once his zcu in
the dialogue abatcs, and he becomes
thoughtful and SILENT and docs not urge
his team onward. but seems willing to
afford Alr. Morton an opportunity to I'D
mirc the beautiful scenery on either haud
tho hills md valleys clad in the fresh
verduro of Junc-whlc the lofty mountaiu
ranges look blue and diu, in tho distance.
lie cannot help wondering if they will find
his wife in the snno predicnmcnt in which
he left her that morning, and involunruriIy
shrinks from introducing 80 slatternly
parsonage to his refined and cultivated
friend
But it is now too late to rctract his po'
lite invitation. They nro entering tho old
"homcstead One field more aud his fer
tile farm, with his we'll kept fences, mp.
pears in view. Yonder is his neat whito
house, clms and naples. They drive
through tho large gateway, the man John
cones from the barn to put up the horses,
and MIR. Thornton hurrics up the walk to
tho piazza, leaving his friend to follow at
his leisure. lie must sec his wifo first, und
if possible, hurry her out of sight before
their visitor cutters. uo rushcs iuto the
sitting room. Words cannot express his
amazemcnt. There sits tho very image Of
bis lovely bride, and self conscious blush
mantlcs her check as he stoops to kiss her
With words Of joyful surprise, "Why
Eilcn!" 1a4'ss time Tor no more. George
Morton has followed him, and he cxclaims,
Ola! Charley, US loverlike as evcr-hasn't
the honeymoon set yeti" and then ho is
duly presented to Mrs. Thornton, who
under tho pleasing excitement of the oo-
casion, appears to far better advantage than
usual. Tea is upon the table, and the
gentlemen do ample justice to tno tempting
repast spread before them. A happy l!eal
it Is to Charlea Thornton, who gaacs with
admiring fondncss upon his still beautiful
wife. Supper over, Mr.. Mortvu coaxos
little Nellie to sit on his lap, but sho soon
slides down and climbing on her fathers
knee, whispers coufidcntially, "Don't
mamma look prctty?' He kisses her aud
answers, "Ycs, my durling."
The evening passes away pleasantly and
swiftly, and many half forgotten smile of
their life pilgrimage is recalled by some
waymark which still CLEANS brightly in the
distance. They both feel younger and bet
ter for their interview, and determine never
to become 30 like strangers ngain. Mr..
Morton's soliloquy, as he rctires to tho
coy apartment appropriated his use is,
"Wcll, this is a happy family! What a
lucky fellow Charley is. Such a hand-
some wife and childrcn--and she's 80 good
a houscEeepcr, too! Maybe III settle down
some day mysclf-which pleasing idea that
night mingled with his visions.
The next morning Mr.. Thornton watched
his wifc's movements with some anxiety
lie could not bear to have her destroy the
favorable impression which he was certain
shc had made on his friends mind, and yet
some Irresistible impulse forbade his olTer-
ing any suggestions or alluding in any way
to the delicate subject so long unmontioncd
between them But Mrs. Thornton
needed no friendly advice. With true
womanly tact she perceived the advantage
she had gained, and was not at all inclined
to rcliDquish it. The dark gingham dress,
linen collar and snowy apron formed M
appropriate and becoming morning attire
for housekccper; and the table afforded
the guest no occasion for altering bis opiL.
ion in regard TO the skill! or affability of his
amiublc hostess. Early in tho forenoon
Mr.. Morton took leave Of his hospituble
friends, being called away by pressing Of
fuirs of business.
Mr. und Mrs. Thornton returned to
their accustomed avoca.ions, but it was
with renewed energy, aud new sense Of
quiet happiness, no less deeply felt because
unexprcssed. A day or two afterwards,
Mr. Thornton invited his wife to acoom.
pany him to town, saying ho thought she
might do some shopping, and she, with no
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