Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-03-19
DlISCELLAN A n Y .
THE INVALID WIFI E.

.sNIv moor head It seems as if 1t would burst muir
,or,sd Mr., Ban as she arose from STOPPING poson and
clasped her temples with both hands, She was engaged
IN dressing restless fretul child two three years
old Two children had been washed and dressed, and this
was the last to be made ready for breakfast
As Mrs Balm stood, with pale face, closed eyes, and
.gh.y compressed lips still clasPing her thrObb''g tenn
ples the bell announcing the morning meal rung Tue
sound caused her start and she said in low and ffetal
voice
There's the breakfast bell and Charley isn't ready yet;
nor have combed my hair. How my head does ache
am almost blind with the pain"
Then she resumed her work of dressing Charley who
struggled, cried and resisted until she was done.
Mr. Balm was already up and dressed. He was seated
in the parlO enjoying his morning paper, when the break
fast bell rung The moment he heard the sound, he threw
down his newspaper and leaving the paror ascended to
the dining room His two Oldest children were there,
ready to take their places at the table,
"Wheres your mother 2" he inquired OF one OF them
"Shes dressing Charley" was answered.
"Never ready in time," said Mr. Balm to himsef' impa-
,iently. He spoke in an under tone
For few moments he stood with his hands on the back
Of his chair Then he walked twice the length OF the d
ming room and then he went to the door and Called
"Jane! Jane! Breakfast is on the table,
"Pn be there in a minue," was replied by Mrs. Ban
"oh, YES! | know something Of your minutes" MIR.
Balm said this to himself Pm always ready But, there's
no regard to time in this house."
Mrs. Balm was still struggling with her and GOu
besome child, when the voice of her impatient HUSBAND
reached her. The sound caused throb OF ntensef PAIN
10 pass through her aching head
"Jane make haste Breakfast is all getting cold and
Pm in hurry to go away to business" was called once
more.
"Do have little patience. Pll be there IN moment
replied Mrs Balm.
ga moment. This is always the way"
And Mr.. Balm once more paced backward and forwards
Meantime the wife huriedly completed her own toilet,
and then repaired 10 the dining She was Just hve
minutes too late.
Ono glance her pale suffering face, should have chang
cd TO sympathy and pity the humor of her houghtess
impatient husband. But, was not So The moment she
appeared, he said
"This is too bad, Jane I've told you and over
that don't like TO wait after the bell rings. My mother
was always promptly at her place. and I'd like my wife to
initiate so good an example"
Perhaps nothing could have hurt Mrs. Balm more tina"
such cruel reference Of her husband to his MOTHER coup
led with so unfeeng declaration Of his will concerning
heras if she were to be- the mere creature OF his will
sharp reply was on the tongue of Mrs. BaN out she
kept it back The pain her head, subsidized all at once
but weight aud oppression in her breast followed that
was almost suffOcating.
Mr. Rain drank his Coffee and ale his steak and toast,
with prsty fair relish for he had good appetite and
good auesonand was in state of robast heaitn But
Mrs. Balm ate nothing How could she eat? AND ye''
it but the truth say that her husband who noceu "o
fact attributed her abstinence from food more to temper 'na
want of appetite He that he had spoken 100
freely and attributed the consequent change in his wlies
manner to anger rather than a wounded spirit.
''Do YOU waut any thing" asked Mr. Balm, on rising from
,he table and turning leave the room. He spoke with
more kindness than previously
,.NoD was the we's brief answer made wi:hOp, lift
;no her eyes to her husbands face,
"In the sulks !"
Mr.. Balm did not say this aloud Opt snch was his hO'
as he turned away and left the house he did not feel a.
together comfortable of course. No man feels comfortable
while there is cloud upon the brow Ofhs wiie' "ae'he
it be Occasoued by peevshness, temPer' Bodily OF men
ta suffering, No. Mr.. Balm did not feel altogether cOq-
Portable nor satisfied with himself walked along 10
his store for hero his mind dim recoiecuo"
of having heard the baby fetug and crying during ns
bt and also of having the form Of hSwlie moving