When my husband returned again in the evening, he found me at work, cheerfully, in my family, and all bright and smiling again.  The efforts to do good to others had driven away the darkness from my spirit, and the sunshine was again on my countenance, and reflected from every member of my household.

CHAPTER XXI.

A BARGAIN.

I AM not much of a bargain-buyer, having had, like most housekeepers, sufficient experience on that subject to effect a pretty thorough cure of the disease, mild as it was in the beginning.  As all diseases, whether bodily or mental, leave behind them a predisposition to return, I have, from time to time, been subjected to slight paroxisms of the old complaint.  From the effects of my last rather mild attack, I am now recovering.

I was passing along Walnut street, on my way to drop a letter in the Post Office, one morning, about ten o’clock, when the ringing of an auctioneer’s bell came suddenly on my ears.  Lifting my eyes, I saw the flag of Thomas & Son displayed before me, and read the words, “Auction this morning.”

Here was an “exciting cause,” as the doctors say, and, instantly I felt a movement of the old affection.  Two or three ladies happened to be entering the store at the time, and the sudden inclination to follow them was so strong that I did not attempt its resistance.  It was not my intention, to buy any thing, of course; for I was conscious of no particular want.  I only just wished, if any wish were really full formed, to see what was to be sold.

Scarcely had I entered the door, when a sofa, so nearly new that it hardly bore a mark of having been used, presented itself, and captivated my fancy.  The one that graced our parlor had grown somewhat out of fashion.  It was in good keeping, but rather plain in style:  and, as we had recently treated ourselves to handsome new carpets, did not appear to quite so good advantage as before.  This one, to be sold at auction, was made after a newer pattern, and, as my eyes continued to rest upon it, the desires to have it in my parlor was fully formed.

I have said, that on entering the auction store, I was unconscious of any particular want.  This was true, notwithstanding Mr. Smith and I had, a few days before, called at a cabinet maker’s wareroom, to look at a sofa.  In consequence of former experience in cheap furniture, we had no thought of getting a low-priced article from a second or third rate establishment; but designed, when we did purchase, to act wisely and get the best.  We had been looking at a sofa for which sixty-five dollars was asked; and were hesitating between that and another upon which fifty dollars was set as the price.

It was but natural, under these circumstances, that I should, look upon this sofa with more than ordinary interest.  A glance told me that it was an article of superior make, and a close examination fully confirmed this impression.