Year: 1870

ribbon, last years style, that had affected
me so unpleasantly a few hours before
for her habitual gOod-by kiss, and threw
into my greeting of her more than usual
heartiness and tenderness, from feeling
of selfreproach of having allowed so
much goodness and lOvelinesS to disigure
itself with such bonnet


"GoOd-bye, John, dear; am so glad
you are painting SO well this morning.
said she: "we shall soon see somebody s
name well known in this city, and we
shall uc selling all we can paint, and shall
have to double and quadruple our prices,
and have offers of orders to any amount,
and we shall have large handsome studio,
with real north light, and window so
tall we shall have to go up on ladder to
open it, and we shall have a nice thick
overcoat every winter if we like, and we
shall 90 into the country every summer
sketching, with our little wife to read to
us while we paint, and we shall grow
great and good and-and-and," nd,"-and l
could not listen another instant to her
happy story, and throwing down pallet
and brushes, my arms closed around her
with a beer like hug, and l stopped her
laughing rosy mouth with decorating
kiss that could have been heard a block
away, and then making her look nae
straight in the eyes, carefully whispered,
Mary, please God, you shall be true
prophet and if what you have said ever
does come true, it will be greatly owing
to the cheerful help of my own dear, true
hearted wife"


"John," said she, looking through the
half closed door, - am going to get lamb
chops with sweet potatoes for dinner" and
l listened while she merrily sang herself
down stairs, nor moved until L heard the
front door close behind her-and all of
earth l held most dear.


was working interestedly and progress
ing finely again with my picture, and felt
hopeful spirit and quiet peace of mind,
that had been unknown TO me for months
perhaps it was a premonition OF good
fortune in store for me-when the same
gentleman called again who had bought
my last picture. He said it had been
much admired since being framed and
placed in a good light at his home, and
was kind enough to mention the very
terms of praise which one of our favOrite
artists had made use of about 1t, whose
name sent the blood surging and tingling
all over me with pleasure he would like
a companion picture of the same size,
took the liberty of advancing me one hun
dred dollars towards the price, to ensure
my commencing it at once, promised to
call soon again and see how / progressed
with the order, and politely took his leave.
After he had gone l sat motionless for
some minutes TO think over what had
passei between us, and recover control of
my senses, bewildered with too much
pleasure. Ihad certainly dreamed OF such
interviews with purchasers, and had often
imagined how nice it must be for some of
my artist friends. whose pictures were al
ways in demand, to whom such affairs
were not unusual, but both dreams and
Imagination were now certainly realized
witness the one hundred dollar bill on the
easel shelf, just where my purchaser had
laid it.


1t was a new one freshly issued from
the Chemical Bank, and cracked as took
it up, anj though | seemed TO be looking
at its printed face, my minds eye saw
nothing there, but was busy far away,
with a new hat, a new alpaca dress, new
thick CATERS, and new warm gloves, that
intended Would be a surprise for Mrs
Flakewhite.


Hastily pinning bit Of paper on my
studio door that stated | should soon re
turn, | rushed over into the BOwery to
a mlliiner's store, where Mrs. +. and |
were known; | took the woman that
waited on me into partial confidence, and
in a few minutes suited myself with hat
which was good, modest and lady like,
and in about half an hour-which had
been thirty minutes OF great enjoyment
To me-was back again in my studio, my
several parcels hidden where they would
be safe from Obser vation, and with de-
lightful anticipation of Mrs. Flakcwhite's
surprise in the morning, again addressed
myself to- work.


During the evening of this eVentful day
we walked out together, and TO Mrs.
Flakewhite's great satisfaction, after her
critical examination of seams and liGings,
and buttOn-hOles and pockets, the coat
was decided upon, paid for, and worn
home. | must here disclose to the reader
in strict contidence-having "A wholesome
dread of pulled ears before my eyes-that
several times ON our return home, in pass
ing under bright street lamp, | was
made to walk a little in front, that Mrs.
might again enjoy the excel
lence OF the fit, and admiringly appreciate
my new-found elegance.


L
rather sooner than usual, and matured in
quiet my plan for surprising Mrs. Flake
white In the morning. AS soon as |
knew my faithful partner was truly off
into the land of dreams, | stole out of bed
into another room, brought out my hid
den treasures and commenced filing a
large-siZed paper box, purchased for this
very purpose. AT the bottom, two pairs
of gloves and half dozen white hand
kerchiefs, with cOlored borders, then as
many sets of plain linen collars and cuffs
of different shapes-and L thought as /
laid these in, how Mrs. F.'s delicate sense
of lady-like neatness would enjoy wear
ing them-next a pair of very best
double sOled CATERS, over these pearl
colored dress pattern-sixteen yards of it
that the man l bought it of assured me
was of excellent quality, and on top of
all, the new hat, the crOwning gift, and fit
summit to this monument of affection
reared in grateful recognition of wife's
devotion and love.


On the cover Of the box laid an un-
sealed envelope, addressed to Mrs John
Flakewhite, Present" containing the fol-
lowing note:


VIII my dear wife accept from her husband the



tinue TO obngc the giycr, by remembering that
each time she makes use of any Of these familiar
articles, shc has fairly and honestly earned
them, by her habits of prudence, economy and
cheerful labor, under circumstances that render
these qualities truly valuable. Also, the
articles IN question may wear out and utterly disap
pear with and time, that this letter be preserved
and shewn to children, grandchildren. and their
children, as a perpetual honor to her remem-
erance; and telling them the story connected with
il. that they may be urged to keep forever in the
family the virtues which it represents and illus
trates, and that the daughters may each in turn
merit such "a memorial from, and prove herself To
be indeed crown to, her husband


''JoHN FLAKEwHITE."


Having placed the box and letter Oh the
table, where Mrs. +. would be sure to see
1t in the morning as soon as she got up,
stole back again into bed, and-unusual
thing FOR me-actually wished for day
light


In the morning / woke early, as indeed
did nearly every hour during the night,
fearing to oversleep, and at once glanced
at the little fable where all sc vet WAS