Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-03-21

HARvEY's WIFE.

$50 Harveys married, eh Wal,
s'pose there will be change in the
family to be sure And they do say he,
married gal from the city, who's been
to college or some other such fool place,
and larned everythin' that woman
hadn't ort to know chimistry. botany
philosophy, geology and physiology.
They say she knows more about the
human body than she does about maxim
bread. Fine housekeeper she'll make
for your Harvey Sister Layne, I'm
sorry for ye!'
The speaker--a tall, gaunt old lady
in scant gown of blue check, and huge
white sun bonnet--sunk into the big
willow chair upon Farmer Layne's vine,
covered porch, and began to fan herself
with big turkey wing.
Mrs. Layne, small, slight old lady, In
a brown holland dross and a white apron
a silvery-haired, placod-faoed. motherly
body, glanced up from the dish towel
she was busily hemming, and smiled &C.
renely.
"Well. now, Abigail, Pm not afraid
Of Myra," she observed, quietly. "The
girl is little learned perhaps, but, then
judge by her letters that che is very
modest over her requirements. And
Harvey thinks there isn't another such
a woman on the face of the earth"
The visitor sighed lugubriously.
II should think that would be great
trial to you?" observed this female
Jobs comforter. "You was allus used
to havin' Harvey looked up to you as
the fust and last among women There'll
be change, Sister Layne therc'll be
a change !"
Mrs. Layne laughed aloud--a charm
ing little laugh. which did one good to
hear.
"Of course, expect that, Abigail
spoken with sweet seriousness
should be very sorry if Harvey were to
care more for his mother than for his
wife But a mothers love nocd not in
terfere with the other love. And, any
way, he and Myra are married +; he will
bring her home tomorrow to the old
farm, and it will not be my fault il she
is not satisfied here, for intend to do
all in my power to make her contented
and happy!"
"Humph! Wal, I'm sure hope you'll
never regret it, that's all !" says Miss
Abigail Harris, as she arises to take her
departure. Her call had been fashion
ably short, but then she had accom-
plishcd the purpose for which she came,
aud that was something
The following day brought Harvey
Layne, only child Of the worthy old
couple who owned Hillsdale farm, home
to the old farm house, and with him a
tall, elegant girl-his bride. Myra was
not pretty; but one glance into the fair,
calm face, with its serious brown eyes,
which yet held merry gloam some
where in their depths, and Mrs. Layne
held out her arms.
my dear, hope you will be happy
here. We're plain people-father and
but we will do all we can to make
you happy, for Harvey's sake"
"And for my own, | hope, she said
softly, as she returned the old lady's af-
fectionate grecting-after which she was
duly presented to her father-in-law
As the days went by the coming Of
Harvey's wife began to work wonders ia
the old brown farmhouse. She removed
the hideous ornaments from the parloI
and substituted dainty creations Of her
own-painted placques, brackets and
paintings. A velvet lambrequin soor
covered the eyesore of tall. painted
mansle, delicate lace tides, ornamented
with gay ribbons, covered the repp fur
niturc. The green paper shades disap
peared from the windows, and pretty and
inexpensive drapery of delicate scriu
took their place. The basket of paper
flowers vanished like magic from th'
round table in a corner Of the parlor
and in its stead plushbound album
upon plush easel. Myra smiled wher
she arranged it, as she knew that this
was commonplace in the extreme; bu
anything was better than the pape
flowers. The beautifully embroideret
stools and foot-rest began to be scat
tered throughout the parlor. And whe
the old deacon found how very comfort
able a foot-rest proved to his tired feet
he wore now pair Of handsome slipper
which the same tireless hands had pre-
pared-he was never weary of praisiu
the new comfort.
But one person remained upconvsrts