Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-01-31
Two Sides TO Everything.

Mary, said Mr.. NorTis 10 MS VIE
as he entered bis snug little home ont
evening, we are to have company
supper tomorrow. l met my o.J
friend, Henry Ard, in the street to-day,
and asked him 10 come out
Isn't lie the Ard that has grown so
wealthy in tie past few years?' asked
Mrs. Norris, as sac stepped brsklY
around in laying the tea table.
Yes; but don't think his wealth has
spoiled him. He was as cordial 10 me
as ever, regretted that I was still only q
clerk in Holden's, and wondered hoT |
could get along on such poor salary.
He doesn't put on airs at all. So wear
your preitest dress Tomorrow. Mary
and have good supper
He shall have 10 reason 10 COM
PLAN, III premise that said Mrs
Norris. who was an excellent cook and
a capable hOusekeeper. 1t was TO her
careful management that her husband
owed lis freedom from debt; for only
the most systematic and judicious
economy could have made his small
salary adequate for the SUPP ort of bis
large family.
While several of lis frienda--auong
them Henry Ard--had risen rapidly.
through fortunate speculation, to posi-
ton Of affluence, Mr.. Norris had re-
NAMED poor, q clelk only in the house
in hich he started as an errand boy.
But, BY means OF the most ri gid econ
omy and numberless sacrifices, he had
been able to purchase small cottage
on the outskirts of the city. and he de-
clared that tie day he made the last
payment upon 1t was the happie't OF
bis life.
Il had been tic dream Of fmauy year
to Own a home, and, in his employ
mept, he forgot the sacrifices be had
made, which at the time seemed very
hard. His wife had worked nobly 10
beautiiy the grounds, planting rose
bushes with her own hands and train
ing vines over the cottage. a prettier
place in the summer it would have been
hard 10 ind.
Mrs. Norris was dressed in her best,
aud the children were as fresh and
sweet as could be, when Mr., Norris
reached home the next evening. accom-
panied by his FREUD.
The gentleman was cordial in his
manner, it Is true, but his coming cast
gloom over tie household, for he be-
can at once TO complain of the tedious
ride he had from the city, commiserat-
ed them on living so far out. and he
avelred that he bad heard that land
was cheap in This section because II
was uahealthy. He asked Mrs. Norris
if she did not llink Ter children looked
pale; and he advised Mrs Norris to sell
out and buy somewhere else. He
dwelt earnestly upon the fact Of there
being so few neighbors, and no doctor
within mile or two; and he succeeded
in filing the breast OF the hostess with
q xiety and alarm.
At Tie tea table he spoke Of the ele-
CANT tea service he had gived bis wife a
few days previously; of the delicious
tea lie bad drunk at the house Of a
frierd tie evening before. Of the rare
o,d china which had been used, and
the dozens OF luxuries which had been
heaped upon the table in his hou)r.
Mrs. Norris listened and sighed. Her
china set, Esed for many years, began
to look poor and mean in her sight, as
she imagined the beauty of Mrs. Ards
silver; the tea tasted bitter; aud she
had no appetite for tie friod oysters,
salad, Jelly and cake she had prepared
O carefully, and with so much pleas
ure anticipating, as she had, some
compliments from her guest on her
cooking.
After supper, the whole family gath
cred about the stove, and listened en-
y,ously as Mr.. Ard dilated on the de-
llighls Of an open crate; OF the actual
necessity of a home library, where
there were growing children; of the
costly books in his own home; OF the
rare pictures aud elegant furniture in
the houses of his friends; of the fine
society in which his wife moved; OF her
iswelry, her costly dresses, aud the
number Of servants he found il ncum'
bent upon him 10 keep IN order TO Sc
cure comfort, Of the convenience OF
gas. and The danger Of using Kerosene;
oftwenty other things that the host,
o. whose hospitality he was partaking'
Ldid rot and could not possess. Ye
he was neither beastful nor ili-temper
ed. and gave no occasion Tor oflense IN
anything he said.
But. wien he arose TO depart. n'iIher
Mr.. Norris or his wife felt any regret
10 have him 90 so carly, nor did they