The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-08-08
St, JOhnsburN VT August 5, 1916,

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with what he had previously been; he was,
of course, more easily offended. To leave
the dinner table was the first impulse of of
Tended dignity.
so broad a rupture as this had not occurred
between the husband and wife since the day
of their marragc-not that causes equally
potent had not existed for Mrs. Parker, when
anything excited her, was not so easily dis
turbed-hc bad not so high an opinion of
HIMSELF
1t was still raining heavily, but rain could
no longer keep the latter at home. He went
forth and walked aimlessly the streets for an
hour thinking bitter things against his wife all
the while. But this was very unhappy work,
and he was glad to seek relief from il by call
ing in upon Il brother craftsman, whose shop
happened to he in the way. The halter was
singing at his work as he had used to sing
he never sung at his work now
This is very duh day was the natural
remark ofMr Parker after the first snutntuns
were over.
why, yes, it is little DUH replied the
nadesman, speaking in n tone that said, but
it didn't occur to me before
How is business now asked Mr. Parker
Very brisk-l am so busy that, rain or
shine, II never seems duh TO me-
on hayntas many customers in
NO; but then get little ahead in my
work, and that is something gained. Rain
or shine, friend Parker, it is all The same TO
me-
'That is certainly a very comfortable state
ofmind to he in. find rainy day hard to
get through
don't think it would he if were in your
place said the old acquaintance. III could
do no betterl would lie down and sleep away
the time.
And remain awake half the night in re-
turn for it, No--that won't do. To lie half
asleep and halEawakc for three or four hours
makes one feel miserable
The halter thought this a very strange adj
mission. lie did not believe that, ifhe could
afford to live without work. he would find
even rainy days hang heavy upon his hands.
why don't you read 2 lac said.
Il do read all the ewSpapers-that is, two
or three that take replied Parker bur there
is not enough in them for whole day
There are plenty of books
Books never read books can't get in
tercstcd in them They arc too long: il
would take week TO get through even IL
modcratc-sized book / would rather 90
back to the shop again. | understand max
ing a hat, but rs for books, never did fancy
them much
Parker lounged for a couple Of hours in
the shop Of his friend, and then turned his
face homeward, feeling very uncomfortable.
The dark day was sinking into darker night
when he entered his house. There was no
light IN the passage nor any in the parlor.--
A. he CROPPED his way in, he struck against a
chair that was out ofplacc, aud hurt himself
The momcutary pain caused the trettjIlncSs
he felt on finding all darl, within to rise INFO
anger. lie went back to the kitchen, grUmh-
ling sadly, aud there gave the cook sound
rating for not having lii the lamps earlier
Mrs. Parker heard all, but said nothing. The
cook brought lamp into the parlor and par
ed it upon the table with m Indignant
air; she then hirtcd Oft up stairs, and com
planned TO Mrs Parker that she had never
hccn treated 50 badly Ia her HE by any per-
son, and notified her that she should leave the
moment her week WIS up: that. anyhow,
she had nothing to do with the lamps-ight-
ing thcln was the ChambCrmhid'S work.
1t so happened that Mrs Parker had sent
the chumbermaid ont, and dis the cook knew
very welt; bur cool, was in a bad humor abou,
aud didn't choose 10 do anything
not in the original contract She was a good
domestic, aud had lived with Mrs. Parker for
years. She bad her humors, as every one
has, but these had always hccn horne by her
mistress. Too many trettiuc incidents had
Just occurred, however, and Mrs. PnIEcr's
mind was not 50 evenly balanced rs usual
Nancy's words and manner provoked her too
far She replied Very well, go in vel
come!
Here was n state of ufiairs tending in no
degree to increase the happiness oftlc retired
tradcsrnan. His wife met him at the supper
table with knit brows and tightly compressed
lips. Not word passed during the meal.
After supper Mr. Parker looked around
him for some means of passing the time
The newspapers were read through: it still
raincd heavily without; he could not ask his .
wife to play game Mt backgammon.
oh, dear he sighed, Keeling back upon
The sofa; aud there he lay for half an hour,
feeling as miserable us he had ever felt in his /
life. At nine O'clock he went to bed, and re-
NAMED awake for half the night.
Much to his satisfaction, when he opened /
his eyes the next morning the sun was shin
ing into his window brightly. He would not .
be confined to the house so closely for ano-
her day.
A few weeks sufliced to exhaust all Mr.. .
parkcr's time killing resources. The news
papers, he complained, did not contain any
interest now. Having retired on his money, .
md setup for something of gentleman, he, .
litcr little while, gave up visiting the shops .
)f his teIloWtradesmeu. He did not like To |
DC seen on terms OF inlimncy with working
people Srcet-waking did very well at FIRST,
)ut he tired OF that; it was going over aud o.
yer the same ground. lie would have ridden
,ut and seen the country, but he had never
1een twice on horseback in his life, aud felt
'ather afraid OF his neck. In fact nothing
vas left to him but to lounge about the house
he greater portion of the time, aud grunble
1t every thing--this only made matters
worse, for Mrs. Parker would NOT submit TO
without few words bncI, that cut
ike razors
From conteuted man, Mr.. Parker he