The Washingtonian., 1845-08-16
FIFTEEN CENTS PER MONTH.

does not acknowledge, even to herself, that
she has done wrong; for, every now and then
she utters, half aloud, some censure against
the careless habits of her husband, habits that
were really annoying and inexcusable. They
had been married five years, and all that time
Mrs. Jones had complained, but to no good
purpose. Sometimes the husband would get
angry, and sometimes he would laugh at his
wife; bur he made no effort to reform himself.
"Mr Jones, why will you do so!" said Mrs
Jones on the evening Of the same day. You
are the most trying man alive"
"Pity you hadn't chance to try another
retorted Mr.. Jones, sarcastically. ~
The offence given, was careless overturn-
ing of Mrs. Jones' work basket, and the scat
tering of needles, cotton, scissors, wax, and
dozen little ct ceteras about the floor.
The reply Of Mr.. Jones hurt his wife, 1t
seemed unkind. He had brought home new
book, which he intended reading, but the face
of Mrs. Jones looked so grave after the over
turning of the work basket, that he felt no dis
position to read to her, but contented himself
with enjoying the book himself
It must be said, that Mr.. Jones was very
trying man indeed, as his wife had alleged.
He could open closets and drawers as handily
as any one, but the thought Of shutting either
never entered his mind. The frequent reproofs
Of his wife, such as, Had you any doors in
the house in which you were raised!" or,
I" Please to shut that drawer, will you, Mr..
Jones!" or, /" You are the most disorderly man
in existence:" or, you are enough to try the
patience of saint, Mr.. jones'" produced no
effect In fact, Mr. Jones seemed to grow
worse and worse every day, instead Of better
The natural habits Of order and regularity
which his wife possessed, were not respected
in the least degree. He drew his boots in the
parlor, and left them in the middle Of the floor
put his hat upon the piano, instead Of hang
ing it on the rack in the passage e-tumbled her
drawers whenever he went to them-left his
shaving apparatus on the dressing table or bu-
reau-splashed the water about, and soiled
the wall paper in washing, and in spite Of all
that could be said to him, would neglect to
take the soap out of the basin; spattered every
thing with blacking when he brushed his boots,
and did hundred other careless things, that
gave his wife world Of trouble, annoyed her
sorely, and kept her scolding at him nearly all
the time. This scolding worried him good
deal, but it never for single moment made
him think seriously about reforming his bad
habits. a.at
One day he came in to dinner. 1t was hot
day. He went up into the chamber where his
wife was sitting, and threw himself into
large rocking chair, took off his hat, and tossed
il over upon the bed, right in the midst of half
dozen lace collars newly done up, and kicked
off his boots with such energy, that one OF
them landed upon the bureau, and the other
in the clothes basket, soiling white dress
Just from the ironing table. Poor Mrs. Jones
was grievously tried. The husband expected
wife, as she lifted his hat from the bed and
put it upon the mantel-piece, and took his
boots and put them in closet, from which
she brought out his slippers and placed them
beside him, but did not understand the ex-
preston Of her face, exactly, nor feel comfor-
table about it. Mrs Jones did not seem angry,
but hurt. After she had handed him his slip
pers, she took the soiled dress from the clothes
basket, over which she had spent an hour at
the ironing table, and attempted to remove the
dirt that the boot had left upon it. But she
tried in vain. The pure white muslin was
hopelessly soiled, and would have to go into
the washing tub before it would be again fit
| to wear. s ...
| eff you knew, Henry" she said in voice
that touched her husbands feelings, as she laid
aside the dress, " how much trouble you give
me, sometimes, am sure you would be more
particular"
Do really give you much trouble, Jane?"
MIR. Jones asked, as if a new idea had broken
in upon his mind. 81 am sure / am sorry for
it."
"Indeed you do. If you would only be more
thoughtful, you would save me great deal.
| shall have to wash out this dress myself,
now, for the washerwoman is gone, and /
can't trust Sally with it. spent nearly half
an hour in ironing it to-day, hot as it is"
am very sorry, indeed, Jane. 1t was a
careless trick in me, must confess; if you
will forgive me, will promise not to offend
again." ~ aaes
All this was new. Both Mr.. and Mrs. Jones
felt surprised at themselves and each other.
He had offended, and she did not get angry;
she had been annoyed, and he was really sorry
for what he had done. Light broke into both
their minds, and both made an instant resolu-
tion to be more careful in future of their words
and actions towards each other; and they were