Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-11-25
GETTING INTO SOCIETY

81 tell you, Jack, the farm is not you
vocation. l become more and convinced ci
the fact every day and less contented with
the life we are leading"
Breakfast was over and we stood on the
farm house portico arm in arm. On the
side of the door sat baby, screaming will
delight as she fed pair of pet pigeons from
her dimpled hand.
Our breakfast had been delicious one
coffee as clear as amber, bread like snow,
and steak done to q turn.
All about US was green tangle OF sweet
brier and honey -suckle the sun was JUS
rising above the mountain peaks, and thu
morning air was sweet and fresh, ant
filled With exquisite woodland odor
and musical with the song of BIRDS
We could catch glimpse of the barn ant
poultry yards from whore we stood, ant
hear the plaintive lowing of the kline am
the dream like tfnkle of their bells. =
- 7 feft vague sort of conviction that Jack
had but little sympathy with my spirit Of
discomfort, yet l determined to carry m,
point if possible.
You are dissatisfied with your lott SCI
that plainly, Nell," said Jack, a trifle sad
tly
"Oh, nonsense ~ I put it. "Not with m!
lot, or with you, only with the farm, Jack
I'm tired to death with this prosy, humdrun
life, and l hate to see you delving and toilinf
like slave from one years end TO another
You were born for something better, Jack,
something grander and nobler. Fancy :
man of your abilities growing grain ant
digging potatoes and raising stock to hi
life end ~
"But, my DEAR" suggested Jack, ''on'
must live and have bread and butter"
"To be sure, Jack, but why not earn il
in a more genteel fashion %
'Honest labor is always genteel, Nell"
ooh, pshaw you don't understand me
Jack. l mean that you have capacities fo
something better. You only cling to th,
old farm to please your father, when yor
could do hundred-fold better elsewhere
And besides, wnere is your society i'll thi.
place, Jack? What chance is there for oul
children as they grow upI'
Jack laughed, as he glanced down at the
baby, who was struggling furiously to gel
pigeons head into her mouth.
''Ah, Nell, that is looking So far ahead, ,
he said, "and, my dear, you seem to forge
that have lived here all my life.'
No, no, don't forget. And pray what
have you done, Jack ?"
Lied an upright life, and married your
self in the end"
But you don't pick me up among the
clover blossoms, Jack, don't forget that
You found me in town, and Jack. dear, I'm
anxious to get back to my native element
Pm tired of all this. You can get on ever
so nicely in town; and then we can get into
society,""
81 m not over fond of society, Nell"
''Oh, but you should be, for my sake,
Jack, I'm fond of it. hate to live like a
hermit. Why, Jack, if we desired to give
a little party to morrow, We could not fol
lack Of guests.
"Dear me, Nell, why I could muster
scores.''
sofa certain sort, yes but don't want
them, Jack. I'm little peculiar in my
notions. l want no society but the best;
the-the sort Of society one gets in town.
Fashionable society, Nell?"
s.Wen then, why not ! You have means,
an I flatter myself that we are fitted to
move in any circles. Why should we bury
ourselves in this wilderness y
sOur means are not inexhaustible, Nell. F"
''I'm aware of that, but we have enough
for start, and Marlborough offers you a
good place in the bank"
''At a limited salary, Nell"
"Oh, yes, but you can work yourself way
up, Jack /; right to the topmost round Of
the ladder. Do let's 60, Jack. I have lived
here to please you ever since our marriage
l think you can afford to please me a little
now"
Jack sighed as he looked out upon his
ripenng grain fields, but he drew me close
to his heart and kissed me.
"That's true" he said; ''you can't be
expected to care for the farm as do, Nell
promised to make you happy when you
promised to be my wife, and I'll try tt
keep my word. You shall have it all your
own way, Nell"
The continuous dropping of water wears
away the solid stone. l had conquered my
husband at last and the desire of my hear,
was about to be accomplished.
When Jack once made up his mind to d.
thing he did it with all his might. The mat
ter was soon settled. Cherry Hill, as We
called the farm, was sold at great sacri-
flee, and one sunny morning we turned OIL
backs upon the breezy mountain summits
and golden grain fields. ''A big mistake Q, .
said Jacks father, as he bade us good bye
''yOu had better have stuck to the farm
You remember the old saying about rolling
stones.''
81 don't believe in old sayings, SIR"
answered d, loflily, ''and think l can ap
prec,ate my husbands abilities better thar
any one else."
"All right. 1 hope you won't find your.
self mistaken, my dear. Good bye to bott
of you. Whatever you do, care for the lit
lie one. Pm afraid she won't like the
change. If you should happen to tire
of town and fashion, don't forget that q
welcome always awaits you at home.
''Jack's heart was too full for utterance
81 thank you, sir" l said, "but we
shall not get tired"
Our new home in Penryth was a
stylish residence in fashionable block =
We established ourselves in the principal
hotel and set about the task of furnishing
the house.
''My dear child,' said Mrs Marlborough,
the bankers wife, dropping in for an early
call, 'don' t dream of such thing as an in
grain carpet. Get Brussels. You'll find
it much cheaper in the end, and besides it
rs so much more Stylish
We hearkened to our friends's advice, and
laid our rooms with Brussels, and the cost
ran up into the hundreds The furniture
was got to match. Mrs Marlborough and
several ether friends aiding us in our selec-
tions, and all sorts of pretty bric-a-brac red
lace curtains and new cottage piano. My
old instrument was too plain and clumsy for
the establishment.
There is curious sort of excitement in
spending money, which seems to drive the
most sober and economizing people desper-
ate when they once get at it. Jack had al
ways been one of the most careful of men,
counting the cost of everything as he went,
and saving every stray penny.
Once into The vortex of city life, his
prudence was speedily changed into a sort
of recklessness. After the first few days,
and by the time our new home was ready
to receive us, he actually seemed to take
delight in seeiug his money go.
"We've got snug quarters here, Nell, by
George he said, looking through the ex.
furnished rooms with admirine
pride. s'No one in town can outshine us
not even Marlborough himself. 1t has
lightened our purse great deal, I'll ad
NIT. but what does that signify? What
good comes of money unless one enjoys
it?''
''We must try and save up little now
T,ol> c;poo mo nro fvud on pico1u - go III