The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-19

! "DOn ! talk ABOUT II, Nat L Know
we can't afford it, and I'd rather not
speak of it,"
"But we can afford il, aud Martha j.
willing to keep house for me. Now
do you want to go, dear9'
There was an unconscious tone Of
reproach in his voice, and a look OF
pain in his face which she could moi
understand.
"Oh, Nathanl' she sobbed, with hel
face hidden on his shoulder, "dont
imagine that love you any the less
or am tired of our little house but
do want TO 90. just now there j,
nothing in the world ! want so mucl
az to see father aud mother
"Well, then, you shall 60, little wife
Don't cry so | didn't know you cared
SO much but that settles it, you shal
GO
After Mrs Tracy and baby were
gone, Martha looked around the unor
namented rooms, and resolved thai
there should bc something new
something bright aud pretty-to wei
come back the home keeper. The
"iront room had never been furnished
but after considering her resources
Martha thought she could persuad,
Nathan into buying carpet.
"a carpet why MarthaW he ex
claimed at her proposal, too astonishec
to say more.
"What was Clara's old home like
You don't want her to notce too sharl
a contrast on her return said the sis
ter, quietly.
Il may get a carpet, thoughtlully
"but so many things would have t'
follow"
"Nat, when father and mother died
we were going to divide things, bu
you had no home then, and while JOIN
and | staid, everything remained tn,
same. When | came here, | sold o
packed everything, and there is a bi!
box for you, which is on the way ou
here. Besides bedding and clothing
there are pictures, vases, curtains,
table-spread aud some of mothers mic
rugs. They will help furnish th'
room. | guess you can afford to bu.
cane seat rocker and two chair, ant
we'll make the rest.
'I'd like to know how"
"There are two bottomless chairs il
the granary will ebonize the frames
cushion seats and backs, and wit
strips of embroidery and heavy firing
they will be handsome. That oil
rocker that is forever coming to piece
can be mended and treated likewise
minus the rockers-and you'll have a
easy-chair. "A pine table, which yo
can make, stained and vanished, an
covered with the spread, will do nice
ly.
"Well, it sounds practicable, I'll hel
all ! can"
There will be ottomaus to make,
mantel to put up, and a cornice for tn
curtains. 1t will take Onr spare tim
for all winter, but how pleased Clar
will be-
, II intend to have everything mic
, for her some day
eyes, Nat but woman must hav
, something to live on in the meantim,
There's a love of the beautiful in ever
| womans heart, aud it must be satisfied
, If surrounded by grand scenery, tn
mind can feed on that; but here
this level monotonous country,I believ
! the homes should be very bright an
attractive"
There may be some truth in tina
5 but | never thought of it before 7,
piled Nathan.
at is not common Tor a man
I think about the home as woman dot
for he mingles with the world, viii
, most of her hours are spent inside tt
r four walls. Clara had no time to f
e up anything; that baby was a sight (
trouble; but if you and the childrC
. help me we can do wonders
And they did. When Clara can
" home four months later she scarce
= knew the place.
Come and look at your wife
whispered Martha, when Nathan h;
finished the chores aud was ready f'
[ - 'hpPs N'Nph'1'
! There she was in the pretty roor
chatting with the children. Joy AZ
, gladness shone through her face, whit
had lost its sharpness and pallor, al
there was an elasticity in her NOV
: ments which recalled her girlhood.
'She looks ten years younger, Ma
= tha; and if can help it she shi
/. never work so again. You've tauG
!, me lesson | shall not forget. We
O. take all the comfort we can now if v
+ never get big house"
q martha has made this 80 prett
that we sha'n't want another" c
, claimed Clara, hearing his last rema
|. as they entered the room. I'm
= thankful to you all for this PIeasa
y little home coming.
. Martha deserves the thanks,
she planned it ALL said Nathan, cate
ing mp the baby.
4 "You are a jewel, Martha; and
. think that / was afraid of you a
a dreaded to have you come
. WAS that because you knew ] "
y an old maid?" asked Martha, laug
!, ing,
y Yes, that was Just it. did
n know, you see, that yOu were such
r. blessed old maid Written for I
,s HearthStone, Farm and Nation
Lanta Wilson Smith.